Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-02-22
CHAPTER TX.
The Family on the Raft.

been the END or BOD Fancy when ne
was shot out into the muddy waters
of the Elk river, had not Mr.. Rich
ard Keppel Cavendish, Varlousiy
known as Long-Legged Dick. and
Chills-and-Feve CaVendish, OF Lin
coin county, in the state of Tennes-
see, some months previously ana
after unprecedented mental effort on
his part, decided that Lincoln county
was no place for him.
Mr.. Cavendish's paternal grandpar-
ent had drifted down the Holston ana
TENNESSEE; and MIR. Cavendishs
father. in his sons youth, had poled
up the Elk Mr.. Cavendlsb now de-
ternined to float down the Elk TO its
iuncture with the Tennessee, down
the Tennessee to the Ohio. and Il
need be, down the Ohio to the Mis-
slssippi, until he found some spot eX-
actly suited TO his taste.
With this end in view he had toiled
through the late winter and early
spring, building himself raft on
which to transport his few belongings
and his numerous family.
Thus it happened that as Murreil
and Slossop were dragging fancy
down the lane, Cavendish was Just
rounding a bend in tho Elk, a quar-
ter OF mile distant. Leaning loose
" against the long handle OF MS
sweep. he was watching the lane OF
bright water that ran between the
black shadows cast by the trees on
either bank.
He heard a dull splash. and caught
sight OF some object in the eddy that
swept alongside. Mr.. Cavendlsh
promptly detached himself from the
handle OF the sweep and ran to the
edge OF the raft.
1t was face, livid and blood
streaked. Dropping on his knees he
reached out pair OF long arms ana
made a dexterous grab. and his nm
gers closed on the collar OF Yancys
shirt. He drew Yancy close along
side, and pulled him clear OF the wa
ter. Mr. Cayendish began hurried
examination OF the still figure.
There's little life here-nct much:
Polly" he called.
This brought Mrs. Cayendish from
one Of the two cabins that occupied
the center OF the raft. When she
caught sight OF Yancy she uttered 8
shrek. -
Her cry had aroused the other deni'
Zens OF the raft. Six little Caven-
dishes, each draped in single gar
ment, tumbled forth from their smell"
ter.
II reckon we'd better lift him on to
one OF the beds-get his wet clothes
off and wrap him up warm, said
Polly.
"Oh, put him in our bed" cried al
the little Cayendishes.
And Yancy was borne into the
smaller of the two shanties, where
presently his bandaged head rested
on the long pillow. Then his wet
clothes were hung up to dry along
on a rope stretched between the two
shanties.
The sheriff had brought the judges
supper. He reported that the CROWD
was dispensing, and that on the whole
public sentiment was not particularly
hostile: indeed he went so far as TO
say there existed q strong undercur'
rent OF satisfaction that the Jail
should have so speedily justified It
self.
Presently the sheriff went his way
into the dusk Of the evening, and
night came swiftly to fellowship the
Judges fears. A single moonbeam
found its way into the place, aking
thin rift in the Darkness. The
Judge sat down on the three-legged
stool, which, with a Shake-down bed
furnished the Jail.
Where was Solomon Mahaffy. and
where Hannibal? He felt that Ma
haffy conld fend for himself, but he
experienced a moment OF genuine
concern when ne thought OF the child
Then-there. was scarcely audi
BILE rustic on the margin of the woods
dry branch snapped loudly. Next
stealthy step sounded in the clear
ing. The judge had an agonizeo
vision OF regulators and lynchers
The cautious steps continued to ap
preach. A whisper stole into the
| Jail.
Are you awake. Price," 1t was Ma
haffy who spoke.
God bless you. Solomon Mahahy!'
cried the judge unsteadily.
I've got the boy-he's with me-
said Mabaffy.
God bless you both" repeated the
Judge brokenly. Take care OF him
Solomon. l feel better now, knowing
he's in good hands
Please, judge" it was Hannibal
Yes. dear lad?"
I'm mighty sorry that ten dollar:
I loaned you IVES bad-but you don'