Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-07-18
cHAPrER XIX fcontInued,.

As they stumbled forward through
the thick Abscurity he continued his
personal revelations, the present en-
terprise having reused whatever there
was of sentiment numbering in his
soul. At list they came out on q
wide bayou white mist hung above
It, and on the low shore leaf and
branch were dripping with the night
dews. Keeping close to the water's
edge Slosson led the way to point
where skin was drawn up on the
bank.
Step in, mG,am," he said. when ne
had launched 1t.
will go no farther!" said Betty
In desperation. She felt an over
mastering fear, the full horror OF the
unknown lay hold OF her, and she gave
q piercing cry for help. Slosson swung
about on his heel and seized her. For
q moment she struggled to escape,
but the mans big hand pinioned her,
No more Of that" he warned, then
he recovered himself and laughed.
you could yell till you was black In
the face, ma'am. and there'd be no
on4 to hear you. =
Where are you taking me7" and
Betty's. voice faIteral between the
sudden sobs that chohed her.
.Just across to George Hicks's."
Tor what purpose?'
You'll know In plenty OF time
And 6losson leered at her through the
darkness.
Hannibal is to 60 with me r. asked
Betty TREMENDOUSLY.
..gure!" agreed Slosson affably.
"YOur niger. too--Quite party"
Betty stepped into the skin She
felt her hopes quicken-she was think
ing of Bess; whatever the girls mo-
tives, she had wished her to escape.
She would wish it now more than
ever since the very thing she had
striven to prevent had happened.
SlOsson seated himself and took up
the oars, Bunker followed with Han
nibal and they pushed on. No word
was spoken until they disembarked on
the opposite shore, when Slosson adj
dressed Bunker.
Il reckon i can manage that young
rip-staver; you go back after Sherrod
and the Niger" he said.
He conducted his captives up the
bank and they entered clearing.
Looking across this Betty saw where
cabin window framed a single
square of light. They advanced to-
ward this and presently the dark out
line of the cabinet itself became dis
tinguishable. A moment later Slos-
son paused. door yielded to his
hand. and Betty and the boy were
thrust into the room.
Here's yo' guests, old lady!" said
Mr. Slosson. Mrs. Hicks rose from
the three-legged stool on which she
was sitting.
Hand me the candle. Bess." she
ordered
At one side OF the room was a steep
hight of stairs which gave access to
the loft overhead. Mrs. Hicks, by 4
gesture, signifled that Betty and Han
nibal were to ascend these stairs
they did SO and found themselves ON
marrow landing inclosed by par
tition Of rough planks; this partition
was pierced by low door
In yonder!" she said briefly. nod
ding toward the door.
Wait!" cried Betty In whisper.
No." said the woman with an al
most masculine surliness OF tone.
got nothing to say" She pushed them
into the attic, and. closing the door.
fastened It with a stout wooden bar.
Beyond that door, which seemed to
have closed on every hope. Betty held
the tallow dip aIoft, and by its uncer-
tain and pickering light surveyed her
prison. The briefest glance sufnced
Inc room contained two shake-down
Y 1T