The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-06
RICHMOND, KY

| WdnI MY money!! SnTiekeo inc
Landlady.
ard Keppel Cavendish, variously
known as 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-
termined to float down the Elk to its
| juncture with the Tennessee, down
the Tennessee to the Ohio, and if
need be, down the Ohio to the Mis-
sissippi, 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 a raft on
which to transport his few belongings
and his numerous family.
Thus it happened that as Murrell
and Slosson were dragging Yancy
down the lane, Cavendish was just
rounding a bend in the Elk, a quar-
ter of a mile distant. Leaning loose
ly 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 a dull splash, and 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.
1t was a face, livid and blood
streaked. Dropping on his knees he
reached out pair Of long arms and
made a dexterous grab. and his I'm
gers closed on the collar of Yancy's
shirt. He drew Yancy close along
side, and pulled him clear of the wa
ter. Mr.. Cavendish began hurried
examination of the still figure.
There's a little life here-not much.
Polly!" he called.
This brought Mrs. Cavendish from
one Of the two cabins that occupied
the center of the raft. When she
caught sight of Yancy she uttered
shrek.
Her cry had aroused the other deni-
zens of the raft. Six little Caven-
dishes, each draped in a single gar
ment, tumbled forth from their shell
ter.
II reckon we'd better lift him on to
one of the beds-get his wet clothes
of and wrap him up warm" said
Polly.
"Oh, put him in our bed!" cried all
the little Cavendishes.
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
with the family wash, which fiuttered
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, be went so far as to
say there existed 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. making
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 Mahairy, and
where Hannibal? He felt that Ma
hairy could fend for himself, but he
experienced a moment OF genuine
concern when he thought Of the child.
Then-there was a scarcely audi
Bile rustic on the margin Of the woods,
a 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 ap-
preach. A whisper stole into the
Jail.
Are you awake, Price2" 1t was Ma
haffy who spoke.
God bless you, Solomon Mahafry!"
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
I-loaned you was bad-but you don't
need ever to pay It back! It were
Captain Murrell gave it to me-"
7 consecrate myself TO his destruc
t toni Judge slocum Price cannot b
humiiiated with impunityl"
Il should think you would save
your wind, Price. until you'd wad
D died out OF dangerl" Mahairy spoke
grufiy.
How are you going to get me out
of this, Solomon-for / suppose you
! are here to break jail for me- sale
the Judge.
E Well. Price, l guess all we can dc
{ Is to 60 back to town and see If
! can get into my cabin--l've got al
old saw there. If can ind 1t, car
: come again tomorrow night and Gu
away one Of the logs. or the cleats o
l flo lnor