The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-05-03
stool, which, with shake-down bed,
furnished the Jail.

"nere was solomon Mandny, and
where Hannibal? He felt that Ma
haffy could fend for himself, but he
experienced a moment of genuine
concern when he thought of the child
Then-there was scarcely audi
bic rustic on the margin of the woods,
dry branch snapped loudly. Next a
stealthy step sounded in the clear
ing The judge had an agonized
vision Of regulators and lynchers
The cautious steps continued to Sp-
proach A whisper stole into the
jail.
Are you awake, Price?" 1t was Ma
haffy who spoke.
God bless you, Solomon Mahaffy!"
cried the judge unsteadily.
I've got the boy-he's with me,
said Mahaffy.
God bless you BOTH" repeated the
Judge brokenly. Take care of him,
Solomon. | feel better now. knowing
he's in good hands"
please. Judge" it was Hannibal.
Yes. dear lad?"
I'm mighty sorry that, ten dollars
loaned you was bad-but you don't
need ever to pay it back! 1t were
Captain Murrel gave it to me-"
L consecrate myself to his destruc-
ton, Judge SIocum Price cannot be
| Inundated with impunity!"
Il should think you would save
your wind, Price, until you'd wad-
| died out of danger!" Mahaffy spoke
| gruffly
How are you going to get me out
| of this, Solomon-for | suppose you
are here to break Jail for me-" said
the judge.
Well Price, | guess all we can do
| is to go back to town and see If {
can get into my cabin-Pve got an
| old saw there If | can find it, | can
| come again tomorrow night and cut
away one of the logs, or the cleats OF
| the door"
In heavens name, do that tonight,
Solomon" implored the judge. Why
procrastinate?
Price, there's pack of dogs in
| this neighborhood, and we must have
a full night to move in, or they'll pull
us down before we've gone ten
| miles!"
You're right. Solomon; I'd forgot
ten the dogs"
Mahaffy closed and fastened the
shutters, then he and Hannibal stole
across the clearing and entered the
! woods, The judge went to bed. He
| was aroused by the arrival of his
breakfast, which the sheriff brought
about eight o'clock
We'll, if l was in your boots [
cuIdn't sleep like you'll" remarked
that official admiringly. But reckon,
| sir, this amt the first time the peni-
tertiary has stared you in the face"
1t was nearing the noon hour when
the judges solitude was again in
vaded. He first heard the distant muir
muir Of voices on the road and passed
an uneasy and restless ten minutes,
with his eye to crack in the door.
He was soothed and treasured, how
ever, when at last he caught sight or
the sheriff.
well, judge, I got company for
you," cried the sheriff cheerfuIly, as
he threw open the door. "A boss
thief"
lie pushed into the building a man,
hatless and coatless, with a pair OF
pale villainous eyes and a tobacco
stained chin.
AS the long afternoon wore itself
away the judge lived through the
many stages of doubt and uncertain
ty, for suppose anything had hap
pened to Mahaffy!
Standing before the window, the
Judge watchedsthe last vestige of light
fade from the sky and the stars ap-
pear. Would Mahaffy come? The
suspense was intolerable. Suddenly
out Of the silence sounded a long
drawn whistle. Three times it was
repeated. The horse-thief leaped to
his feet.
''Neighbor, that means mel" he
cried.
The moon was rising now, and by
its light the judge saw a number OF
horsemen appear on the edge OF the
woods. They entered the clearing,
picking their way among the stumps
without haste or confusion. When
quite close, five Of the band dis
mounted; the rest continued on about
the jail or cantered off toward the
road.
Look out inside, there!" cried a
voice, and a log was dashed against
the door; once-twice-it rose and
fell on the clapboards, and under
those mighty thuds grew up a wide
gap through which the moonlight
streamed splendidly. The horse-thier
stepped between the dangling cleats
and vanished.
The judge tossed away the stool.
He understood now With a conf
dent, not to say jaunty step, the Judge
emerged from the jail
Your servant, gentlemen" he
said, lifting his hat.
"Git!" said one Of the men brief
ly, and the judge moved nimbIy away
toward the woods.
Now to find Solomon and the boy,
and then to put the miles between
himself and Pleasantville with all
diligence. AS he thought this, almost
at his elbow Mahaffy and Hannibal
rose from behind fallen log. The
Yankee motioned for silence anc
pointed west.