Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-03-09
CHAPTER TX.
Tie Family on the Raj

That would unquestionably have
been tho end Of Bob Yancy when he
was shot out into tho muddy waters
,of the Elk river. had not Mr.. Rich.
ard Keppel Cavendish, variously
known % Long-Legged Dick. and
Chills-and-Fever Cavendish, Of Lin
coin county. in the state OF Tennes-
See, some months previously and
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 and
Tennessee; and Mr.. Cavendish's
father, In his sons youth, had poled
up the Elk. Mr.. Cavendish now de-
kermined to float down the Elk to its
duncture with the Tennessee, down
the Tennessee to the Ohio, and II
need be. down the Ohio to the Mis-
sissippi, until he found some spot ex-
hctly suited to his taste.
<: With this end In view he had toiled
Through the late winter and carly
spring, building himself raft on
which to transport his few belongings
and his numerous family.
Thus 1t happened that as Murrell.
and 4losson were dragging fancy
down the lane, Cavendish was Just
Rounding . bend in the Elk. quar-
Ter Of q mile distant. Leaning loose
by against the long handle OF his
sweep, he was watching the lane OF
bright water that ran between the
black shadows cast BY the trees on
either bank.
He heard dull splash, ana caught
sight Of some object in the eddy that
swept alongside. Mr.. Cavendish
promptly detached himself from the
handle of the sweep and ran to the
edge Of the raft.
It was q face, livid and blood
streaked. Dropping on his knees he
reached out pair Of long arms and
made . dexterous grab. and his I'm
gers closed on the collar Of Yancy's
shirt. He drew Yancy close along
side. and piled him clear Of the wa
ter. Mr.. Cavendish began a hurried
examination Of the still figure.
There's . little life here-not much.
Poilyi" he called.
This brought Mrs. Cavendish from
one Of the two cabins that occupied
tho center Of tho raft. When she
caught sight Of Yancy she uttered Q
SHREK Z
Her cry had aroused the other deni-
gems of the raft. Six little Caven-
dishes. each draped in single gar
iment. tumbled forth from their shell
ter.
Il reckon we'd better lift him on to
one Of the beds-get his wet clothes
on and wrap him up warm" said
Polly.
"Oh, put him in our bed!" cried all
the little Cavendishes.
And Fancy 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
with the family wash, which futtered
on . 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 80 far as to
SAY there existed strong undercur-
rent Of satisfaction that the jail
should have 90 speedily justified it.
sell.
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 it, way into the place, making
Il thin rift in the darkness. The
Judge sat down on the three-legged
lstool, which, with a shake-down bed,
. FURNISHED the jail.
Where was Solomon Mahany, and
where Hannibal? He felt that Ma
hairy could fend for himself. but he
experienced 1 moment of genuine
concern when he thought Of the child.
Then-there was scarcely audi
Ible rustic on the margin OF the woods.
. dry branch snapped loudly. Next a
lstealthy step sounded in the clear.
Ing. The fudge had an agonized
vision Of regulators and lynchers.
The cautious steps continued to ap-
Iproach. A whisper stole into the
jail.
Are you awake, Price?" 1t was Ma
hairy who spoke.
God bless you. Solomon Mahahy!"
icriei the Judge .asts:S!!y.
I've got the boy-he's with me"
teaid Mahaffy.
-0od bless you both!" repeated the
Judge brokenly. "Take care OF him.
Solomon. feel better now, knowing |
hes IN good hands"
Please, judge" 1t was Hannibal.
Yes, dear lad?"
tim mighty sorry that ten dollars
i loaned you was bad-but you don't
need ever to pay 1t back! It were
Captain Murrell gave It to me-"
81 consecrate myself to his destruc-
ttion! Judge Slocum Price cannot be
Inundated with impunity!"
81 should think you would save
your wind, Price. until you'd wad.
died out Of danger!" Mahany spoke
grumy.
''EIow are you going to get mo out
G this, Solomon-for I suppose you
are here to break Jail for me-" SAID
! the Judge. -
ssvvs ~ ! guess Ill " can dol