The Mena weekly star., 1913-01-23

from the keel boat. No-yo-alPs knife wouldn't stop mel"
 Don't be too sure of that" said Darlington sternly. The girl met the menace of his words with soft, full. throated laughter.
 "Why, yo' hands shakin' now, Nr. Carrington!"
 You know me-"
 "Yes, seen you once at Boggs'. !" She made an impatient movement. You can't do nothing against them fo' men unless I help you. Miss Maj roy's to go down river tonight they're only waiting fo' a pilot-yCu alrs got to act quick!"
 Darlington hesitated.
 Why do you want Miss Malroy escape?" he said.
 The girls mood changed abruptly She scowled at him.
 'I reckon that's private matte Aint it enough fo' you-all to kn0v that 1 do? I'm showing how 1t cs, be done. Them four men ou tAe ket boat are strangers in these part. they're whiting fo' a piot, be lh-. dons know who he'll be. I've hear. you-all was a riyer-man; what's [, hinder yo' taking fhe pilots place Looks like yo' was willing to risk yo' life fo' Miss Malroy or you wouldn't be here"
 "Pm ready" said Darlington, his hand on the door.
 No, you ain't-jest yet" interposed the girl hastily. "Listen to me first. They's a dugout tied up bout a hun dred yards above the keel boat; you must get that to cross in to the other side of the bayou, then when yo're ready to come back yo're to whistle three times-it's the signal we're ex- pecting-and I'll row across fo' you il one of the skiffs.'
 "Can you see Miss Malroy in the meantime?"
 If I want to, they's nothin' to hin. der me-" responded Bess sullenly.
 Tell her then" began Caring ton, but Bess interrupted him.
 q know what yo' want She aim to cry out or nothin' when she see you-all. I got sense enough fo' that
 Darlington looked at her curiously
 ''fhis may be a serious business foI your people" he said significantly and watched her narrowly.
 And you-all may get killed. l re-t in if yo' want to do anything L- enough you don't mind much wEo comes after," she answered with {, hard little laugh. as she went fror the shed.
 "Come!" said Darlington to the ne gro, when he had seen the cabin dcc close on Bsss and her lantern; anc they stole across the clearing. Reach ing the bayou side they began noise less search for the dugout, which the. quickly found, and Darlington ttwncC to George. Can you swim?" D, asked.
 ''fes, Mas'r."
 Then go down into the water. ant drag the canoe ,her along the shc., and for Gods sake, no sound!" h. cautioned.
 They placed a second hundred yards between themselves and the kee boat in this manner, then he ha George bring the dug-out to the bank and they embarked. Keering wittir the shadow of the trees that fringe the shore, Darlington padded silent ly about the head of the bayou.
 George" he at length s@id, bend ing toward the negro; my horse is tied in the woods on the rlght-ha~ side of the road just where you Were taken from the carriage last nig6t-- you can be at Belle Plain inside ol aI hour."
 Look here, Mas'r Caington, thos- folks wonder is kin to Boss Hicks. he gets his hand on mo first dc1f you reckon he'll stop ny mouth? teen here heaps of times fotchin' lei ters fo' Masr Tom, added George.
 Who were the letters for?" askeo he Kentuckian, greatly surprised
 They was fo' that Captain Murrell seems like him and Mas'r Tom was mixed up ill a sight of business"
 When was tnis-recently? in. Quired Darlington He was turnini over this astonishing statement of tht slave over in his mind
 Well, no, Mas'r seems like they ain't so thick here recently"
 T reckon you'd better keep away from the big house yet a while" sai5 Darlington. Instead of going there stop at the Belle Plain landing. Youu find a raft tied up 10 the shore; 1t be longs to a man named Cavendish. Tell him what you know-that I've found Miss Malroy and the boy; tell him 10 cast off and drift down here. I'll r.u the keel boat aground the first chance I get. so tell him to keep a sharp lookout"
 Continued in next issue)
 ff-