The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-05-02
CHAPTER XIX.
Prisoners,

Prisoners.
I In the face of Betty's indignant pro
test Slosson and the man named
Bunker climbed into the carriage.
Don't you be scared, ma'am," said
the tavern-keeper, who smelt strongly
of whisky. Il wouldn't lift my hand
'ag'in no good-looking female except
In kindness"
"How dare you stop my carriage? p
cried Betty, with a very genuine an
ger which for the moment dominated
all her other emotions. She struggled
to her feet, but Slosson put out q
heavy hand and thrust her back.
''There now" he urged soothingly.
"Why make a fuss? We amt going
to harm you; we wouldn't for no sum
Of money. Drive on, Jim-drive like
hell!" This last was addressed to
the man who had taken Georges place
on the box, where a fourth member
OF Slosson's band had forced the
coachman down into the narrow space
between the seat and dashboard, and
was holding pistol to his head while
he sternly enjoined silence.
With a word to the horses Jim
swung about and the carriage rolled
Oh through the night at breakneck
pace. Betty's shaking hands drew
Hannibal closer to her side as she
felt the surge of her terrors rise with
In her. Who were these men-where
could they be taking her-and for
what purpose? The events of the past
week linked themselves in tragic Sc
,Quence in her mind. What was 1t
she had to fear? Was 1t Tom for
whom these men were acting? Tom
who would profit greatly by her dis
appearance or death!
They swept past the entrance at
Belle Plain, past break in the wall
OF the forest where the pale light OF
stars showed Betty the corntield she
and Hannibal had but lately crossed,
and then on into pitchy darkness
again. She chung to the desperate
hope that they might meet some one
on the road, when she could cry out
and give the alarm. She held herself
in readiness for this, but there was
only the steady pounding of the big
bays as Jim with voice and whip
urged them forward. At last he alb
ruptly checked them, and Bunker and
Sl0sson sprang from their seats.
"Get down, ma'am!" said the lat
ter.
"Where are you taking me-" asked
Betty, in a voice that shook in spite
of her efforts to control 1t.
"You must hurry, ma'am," urged
Slosson impatiently.
Il won't move until / know where
you intend taking me-" said Betty.
If I am to die
Mr.. Slosson laughed loudly and in
diligently.
You amt. If you don't want to
walk, I'm man enough TO- to tote you.
We amt far to go, and I've tackled
jobs I'd a heap less heart TO- in my
tlme," he concluded gallantly. From
the opposite side of the carriage
Bunker swoye narvously. He desired
to know if they were to stand there
talking all night. Shut your filthy
mouth, Bunker, and see you keep tight
hold of that young rip-staver,' said
Slosson. He's perfect eel--l'va
bad dealings with him afore!"
You tried to kill my Uncle Boo
at the tavern, you and Captain Muir
rell. heard you, and I seen you drag
him to the rlver!" cried Hannibal:
Slosson gave a start of astonish-
ment at this.
"Why, amt he hateful?" he ex-
claimed aghast. See here, young
feller, that's no kind of a way TO- you
to talk to a man who has riz his
ten children"
Again Bunker sTore, while Jim told
Slosson to make haste. This popular
clamor served to reaall the tavern
keeper to sense OF duty.
"Ma'am, like l should tote you, or
will you waikiki he inquired, and
reaching out his hand took hold OF
Betty.
"lH walk" said the girl quickly,
shrinking from the contact.
Keep close at my heels. Bunker,
you TUX along after her with the
boy"
( What about this nigger?' asked
the fourth man.
Fetch him along with u.s." said
Slosson. They turned from the road
while he was speaking and entered a
narrow path that led OF through the
woods, apparently in the direction OF
the river. A moment later Betty
heard the carriage drive away. They
went onward in silence for a little
time, then Slosson spoke over his
shoulder.
Yes, ma'am, I've riz ten children,
but none of 'em was like him-l
trained 'em up to the minute!" Mr..
Slosson seemed to have passed COM
pletely under the spell Of his domes-
tic recollections, for he continued
with just touch Of reminiscent sad
ness in his tone. There was all told
four Mrs. Slpssons: two of 'em was