Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1912-05-23

this they came to the corn-held which
lay between the house and the high
road. Following one OF the shoclc
rows they hurried to the mouth OF the
lane.
Hannibal. don't want to tell the
Judge why am leaving Belle Plain
about the woman, mean" said
Betty.
"You reckon they'd kill her, don't
you, Miss Betty, II they knew what
she'd done2" speculated the boy. 1t
occurred to him that an adequate ex-
PLANTATION OF their flight would require
preparation, since the Judge was at
all times singularly alive to the slight
est discrepancy of statement. They
had issued from the corn-field and
went along the road toward Raleigh.
Suddenly Betty paused.
"Harki" she whispered.
ut were nothing, Miss Betty" said
Hannibal reassuringly, and they hur-
fed forward again. In the utter still
ness through which they moved Betty
heard the beating Of her own heart,
and the soft and all but inaudible pat
ter Of the boys bare feet on the warm
dust OF the road. Vague forms that
resolved themselves into trees and
bushes seemed to creep toward them
out Of the nights black uncertainty.
Once more Betty paused.
1T were nothing, Miss Betty" said
Hannibal as before, and no returned
to his consideration Of the judge. lie
sensed something OF that intellectual
nimbleness which his patrons physical
makeup In nowise suggested, since
HIS face was a mask that usually left
one In doubt as TO Just how much OF
what he heard succeeded In making
its impression on him; but the boy
knew that Slocum Prices blind side
was a shelterless exposure.
You don't think the carriage could
have passed us while we were cross.
ing the corn.held?" said Betty.
"No. I reckon We couldn't a-missed
hearing It." answered Hannibal. Ho
had scarcely spoken when they
caught the rattle OF wheels and the
beat OF hoofs. These sounds swept
nearer and nearer, and the darkness
disgorged the Belle Plain team AND
carriage.
"Georgel" cried Betty, a world Of
relief in her tones.
Whoa. you" and George refined ia
HRS horses with a Jerk. who's dars'
he asked, bending forward on the box
as he sought to pierce tho darkn
with his glance.
George
"Oh, 1t you, MissyY"
"Yes. I wish you 10 drive mo into
Raleigh said Betty. and she and Han.
nibal eutefed the caTtiago.
IAN right, Missy. Yo'-au ready fo'
me 70 go along out o. hers7
"Yes-drive fast, Georgel" urged
Betty.
TITS right dark To- fas' drivir
Missy, with the road jes' aimin' 10 %
bus 20 springs with chuckholes!
lie had turned his horses heads in
tho direction Of Raleigh while he was
speaking. IT'S scandalous black in
these heah woods. Missy-I 'ciar'
never seen 1t no blackeri'
The carriage Bwung forward for per-
haps a hundred years, then sudde ly
tho horses came 10 dead stop.
Go along on, darl" cried George,
and struck them with his whip, but
the horses only reared and plunged
Hold on, niggerl' said a rough
voice out Of the darkness.
What 20 doin'7" the eoachman
gasped Don 20 know dis do Belle
Plain carriage? Take yo' hans OF 81
dem bosses bitsl"
Two men stepped to the side OF The
carriage.
SHOW your light, Bunker" said the
Same rough voice that had spoken be-
fore. Instantly hooded lantern was
uncovered, and Hannibal uttered cry
OF terror. He was looking into tho
face OF Slosson, the tavern-keeper.