Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-03-04
CHAPTER KY.
Prisoners.

lest SlUsSOu .HG luS pAaH uaucu
Bunker cIinbed into the carriage.
Don't sou be scared. ma'am," said
: ;he tavern keeper, who smelt strongly
Of whisky. e wouldn't lit my hand
, aein no eood-looking female except
/ in Kindness"
How dare you stor ny Car-iage?
cried Betty with YER genuine an
ger which for the mcment dominated
all her other emotions. She struggled
to her feet, but Slosson put out a
heavy Eand and thrust her back.
"TIere now he urged sootbingIy.
why make a fuss? Ne amt going
10 harm you; We wouldn't for no sum
Of money. Drive on. Jim-driVe like
hell" This last was addressed to
the man who had taken Georges place
on the box. where fourth member
of Slosson'E band had forced the
coachman down into the narrow space
between the seat and dashboard. and
was holding pistol to his head while
he sternly enIotned silence.
With word to the horses jim
swung about and the carriage rolled
OF through the night at hreakneck
pace, Betty's shaking hands drew
Hannibal closer to her side as she
felt the surge Of her terrors rise with
In her. Who were these men-%here
could they he taking her-and for
what purpose? The events OF the past
week linked them selves in tragic Sc
uuence in her mind. What was 1t
she had to fear? Was It Tom for
whom these men were acting? Tom
who would profit greatly by her dis
appearance or death!
They swept past the entrance at
Belle Plain. past break in the wall
OF the forest where the pale light or
stars showed Betty the corntieid she
and Hannibal had but lately crossed,
and then on into pitchy darkness
again. She chung to the desperate
hope that they might meet some one
on the road, when she could cry out
and give the alarm. She held herself
In readiness for this. but there was
only the steady pounding OF the big
bays as Jim with voice and whip
urged them forward. At last he aD-
ruptly checked them, and Bunker and
Slosson sprang from their seats
Get down, maam!" said the lat
ter.
Where are you taking me?' asked
Betty, IN voice that shook IN spite
of her efforts TO control it.
You must hurry, ma'am," urged
Slosson impatiently.
Il won't move until ! know where
you intend taking me-" said Betty.
"lf am 10 die"
MIR. Slosson laughed loudly and in-
diligently.
You amt. II you don't want to
walk, I'm man enough 70 to tote you.
We amt far to go, and I've tackled
Jobs Ia a heap less heart 10 III my
time" he concluded CALAMITY. From
the opposite side OF the carriage
Bunker swore nervously. He desired
to know il they were 10 stand there
talking all night. Shut your filthy
mouth, Bunker, and see you keep tight
hold OF that young rip-staver," said
Slosson. He's perfect eel-iVe
had dealings with him aforei
You tried to kill my Uncle Bob
at the tavern, you and Captain Muir
rell. heard you, and I seen you drag
him to the river!" cried Hannibal.
Slosson gave a start of astoDish-
:ment at this.
why. amt he, hateful?" be ex-
claimed aghast. '"See here. young
Teller, that's no kind OF way;fo' you
ito talk 10 man who has riz his
ten Children: ..
Again Bunker swore, while Jim told
Slosson 10 make haste. This popular
clamor served to recall the tavern
keeper to q sense OF duty,
"Maam, like ! should. tote you, or
will you walk" he Inquired. and
reaching out his hand took hold OF
Betty. 80 !'I 80
IN walk" said the girl quickly,
shrinking from the contact. g.,
Keep close at my heels, Bunker,
you tuck along after her with the
boy" ,..'
What about this mgger%' asked
the fourth man, Zoo.
Fetch him. along With u.s." said
Slosson. They turned from the road
while he was speaking and entered 4
narrow path that led Off through the
woods, apparently in the direction OF
the river. 4 moment later Betty
heard the carriage drive away. They
went onward in silence for a little
time, then Slosson spoke over his
shoulder -.
Yes, maam, I've riZ ten children.
but none OF EN- was like him
trained EN- up to the minute!" Mr..
Slossou seemed to have passed COIL
pletely under the spell OF his domes-
tic recollections, for he continued
with just a touch OF reminiscent sad
ness in his tone There was all tod