The new era., 1912-04-25

Good night good-by." he
turned away. and Betty saw his tall
form disappear in the twilight.
.
A month and more had elapsed
since Bob Yancy's trial. Just two
days later man and boy disappeared
from Scratch Hill. Murrell was soon
on their trail and pressing forward
In hot pursuit. Reaching the noun.
tains. he heard Of them first as ten
days ahead OF him and bound for
west Tennessee; the ten days dwin.
died to week. the week became tive
days. the five days three: and now
as he emerged from the last range OF
hills he caught sight Of them.
Yancy glanced back at the blue wall
OF the mountains where 1t lay along
the horizon.
We'll. Nevvy." he said, we've put
heap OF distance between us and
old Scratch HILL"
For the past ten days their journey
had been conducted in a lelsurely
fashion. AS Yancy said. they were
seeing the world. and 1t was well to
take good look at 1t while they had
a chance.
Suddenly out Of the silence came
the regular beat Of hoofs. These
grew nearer and nearer. and at last
when they were quite close. Yancy
faced about. Smilingly Murrell refined
in his horse
"Why-Bob Yancy!" he cried In
apparent astonishment.
Yes. sir-Bob Yancy. Does 1t hap
pen you are looking TO him. Cap
tain7" inquired Yancy.
Mono. Bob. I'm on my way
west"
Murrell slipped from his saddle and
fell into step at Yancy's side as they
moved forward.
They were nightly stirred up at
the Cross Roads when l left, wonder
ing what had come of you." he OBJ
served.
That's kind Of thcm." responded
Yancy. a little dryly. There was no
reason for II. but he was becoming
distrustful Of Murrell. and uneasy.
They went forward in silence. A
sudden turn In the road brought them
to the edge Of an extensive clearing.
Close to the road there were several
buildings. but not tree had been
spared to shelter them and they stood
forth starkly. the completing touch to
civilization that was still In It's
youth. unkempt. rather savage. ana
ruthlessly utiiitarian. A sign an
nounccd the dingy structure OF logs
nearest the roadside a tavern.
From the door OF the tavern the
figure OF a man emerged. He was
black.haired and bull.necked. and
there was about him certain shag.
giness which n recent toilet performed
ut the horse trough had not served ts
mitigate.
"Howdy?" he drawied.
'.Howdy!" responded MIR. Yancy.
shall you stop here?" asked Muir.
Can you put US up?" inquired Muir.
reli. turning to the tavern.keeper.
Il reckon that's what I'm here for"
said Slosson. Murrell glanced about
the empty yard. Slack" observed
Slosson languidly. Yes. sir. slack's
the only name for it, Il was under
stood he referred to the state OF trade.
He looked from one to the other OF
the two men, As his eyes rested ON
MurreiI. that gentleman raised the
first three fingers OF his right hand.
The gesture was ever SO little, yet It
seemed to have a tonic effect on Mr..
Slosson. What might have developed
into smile had he not Immediately
- Sso.to k,l A-~ ~rA a
lips rs he made an answering move
ment. "Eph. come here. you!" Slos.
son raised hts voice. This call
brought n half.grown black boy from
about n corner OF the tavern, to whom
Murreii reiinQuished his horse.
Let's liquor" said the captain over
his shoulder. moving on in the direc-
tion OF the bar.
Come on. Nevvy!" said Yancy fol.
lowing. and they all entered the tav.
ern.
well. here's to the best Of good
luck!" said Murrell. as he raised his
| glass to his lips.
Same here" responded Yancy.
| Murrell pulled out a roll OF bills, one
| OF which he tossed on the bar. Then
| after q moments hesitation he de-
tached a second bill from the roll and
turned to Hannibal.
Here. youngster-a present for
you," he said good.naturedly. Hanni.
bal. embarrassed by the unexpected
| gift, edged to his Uncle Bob's side.
"Thank you. SIR" said the boy.
Lets have another drink" suE.
gested Murrell.
Presently Hannibal stole out into
the yard. He still held the bill in his
hand, for he did not quite know how
to dispose OF his great wealth. After