Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-03-01

YOE
Icome. and to him the sun seemed fixed
in the heavens. At Belle Plain Ton
Ware was watching 1t with a shudder'
ing sense of the swiftness Of its flight
But at last the tops of the tall trees
obscured 1t: 1t sank quickly then and
blazed a ball OF fire beyond the Ar.
kansas coast while its dying glory
Ispread aslant the heavens. turning
the flanks Of the gray clouds 10 violet
and purple and gold.
With the first approach OF darkness
Harrington made his way to the shed
Hidden in the shadow he paused tc
listen, and fancied he heard Difficult,
breathing from within. The door
lcreaked hideously on Its wooden hinges
when he pushed it open, but as II
lswung back the last remnant Of the
days light showed him some dark OBJ
lject lying prone on the dirt floor. He
lreached down and his hand rested on
q mans DOOteQ IOOt.
George" Darlington spoke softly,
but the man on the floor gave no sign
that he heard, and Carrington's ques-
tioning touch stealing higher he found
that George-if it were George-was
living on his side with his arms and
llegs securely bound. Thinking he
slept, the Kentuckian shook him gent
ly to arouse him.
"George?" he repeated, still bending
above him. This time an inarticulate
murmur answered him. At the same
instant the woolly head Of the negro
came under his fingers and he discov-
cred the reason Of his silence. He was
as securely gagged as he was bound.
| Listen, George-it's Carrington-l
am going to take off this gag. but
don't speak above a whisper-they may
hear u.s." And he cut the cords that
held the gag in place.
How yo' get here, Mas'r Ca'ington?'
asked the negro guardedly, as the gag
fell away.
Around the head Of the bayou"
| "Lawd!" exclaimed George, in a tone
of wonder.
| Where's Miss Betty?"
She's in the cabin yonder-fo' the
love Of God, cut these here other ropes
with yo' knife, Mas'r Ca'ington--rm
perishin' with 'em!" Darlington did as
he asked, and groaning, George sat
erect. I'm like I was gone to sleep
all over" he said.
| You'll feel better in moment.
Tell me about Miss Malroy?"
They done fetched us here last
night. I was drivin' Missy into Raj
eigh-her and young Mas'r Hazard
when TO- men stop us in the road"
Who were they, do you know" ask
ed Darlington.
"Lawd-what's that?"
| Darlington, knife in hand swung
about on his heel. A lanterns light
flashed suddenly in his face and Bess
Hicks, with a low startled cry break
ing from her lips. paused in the door
way. Springing forward, Darlington
seized her by the wrist.
"Hush!" he grimly warned.
What are you doin' here?" demand
ed the girl, as she endeavored to shake
Off his hand, but Darlington drew her
into the shed. and closing the door. set
his back against it. There was brief
silence during which Bess regarded the
Kentuckian with a kind Of stolid fear
lessness. She was the first to speak.
II reckon you-all have come after Miss
Malroy," she observed quietly.
Then you reckon right" answered
Darlington. The girl studied him
from beneath her level brows.
And you-all think you can take her
away from here" she speculated. i
amt afraid of yo' knife-you-all might
use it fast enough on a man, but not
on me. I'll help you,' she added. Car
r!ngton gave her an incredulous glance.
You don't believe me? What's to
hinder my calling for help? That would
fetch our men up from the keel boat.
No-yo' alrs knife wouldn't stop met"
Don't be too sure Of that" said Car
rington sternly. The girl met the men,
ace of his words with SOFT full-throat-
ed laughter.
why, yo' hands shakin' now. Mr..
Carrington!"
You know me?"
| Yes. I seen you once at Boggs'."
She made an impatient movement.
You can't do nothing against them
TO men unless I help you. Miss NAL
roy's to go down river tonight; they're
only waiting TO a pilot-you-all got
to act quick!"
| Darlington hesitated.
why do you want Miss Malroy to
escape?" he said.
The girls mood changed abruptly.
She scowled at him.
Il reckon that's a private matter.
Amt It enough TO you-all to know
that do? I'm showing how 1t can be
done Them four men on the keel
boat are strangers in these parts,
they're waiting TO a pilot. but they
don't know who'll he be. I've heard
you-all was a river man: what's t.
hinder yo' taking the pilots place
Looks like yo' was willing to risk yo'
life TO- Miss Malroy or you wouldn't
be here"
I'm ready" said Darlington. his
hand on the door.
mo. you aint-jest yet" interposed
the girl hastily. Listen to me first.
They's a dugout tied up bout hun
dred yards above the keel boat; you
must get that to cross in to the other
side of the bayou, then when yo're
ready to come back yo're to whistle
three times-it's the signal we're ex-
pecting-and I'll row across TO you