Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1913-01-23

peration plucked my match box fron
nv pocket. drew forth o match and
struck II to a blaze. A II narec forth.
routing the shadows IN disorderly. II
but temporary. retreat. 1 made QUICK
searching survey OF my dungeon. To
my amazement was apparently quite
alone.
Relieved. in a measure at least. ]
employed another match and still an.
other. hobbling painfully about the
grlmy, low-ceiled basement. In diligent
inspection My FIRST thought was that
johnson WAS in hiding. and having 10
Gated me by my own lighted matches.
waited now only an opportunity to
throw himself upon me from behind.
But very soon discovered that he
had fed Evidently he had retraced
his steps UP the rude ladder to the
street. CLOSING the doors after him to
check my further pursuit.
The place into which had followed
HIN was evidently a Chinese candy
manufactory and cake bakery. To the
right Of the entrance were rows OF
shelves containing Jars OF what ]
recognized as sweetmeats peculiar to
the celestial In a large bowl on
rough table or counter was the granu'
lated -four with which these confec-
tions are invariably powdered; ana
here. too. were boxes Of round. tumble
like cakes ! saw now that the space
upon which had fallen was 20 re-
stricted that ! wondered how II was
possible for my quarry TO have reach
ed the steps and reascended without
touching me or at least acquainting
me with his movement. And ! mar
veled. too. that twisting my ankle a. !
did. had not plunged at a slant ana
struck my head upon one or another
OF the crowding tables and boxes with
which the cramped basement was fur.
nished.
My third match disclosed a narrow
door in the broad partition at the rear.
and fancying that perhaps the elusive
Peter Johnson had escaped by that
means while | was getting TO my feet.
lost no time In seeking to Investigate
what was beyond. was somewhat sur
prised TO find the door untastened.
Once open. II revealed smaller. and
more crowded room. warm and fetid.
into which were packed no less than
half dozen barrels OF raw and cook.
ed peanuts. arranged about low
stove or which a peanut-tlled csul-
dron was slowly steamins.
Curiously interesting as all this
would have been under ordinary cir.
cumstances, experienced only sur.
prised relief. for with my injured an
kle was In nc fettle to cope with
even the weakest adversary. Indeed.
now that this easement was afforded
me. my sp.ain suddenly asserted Itself
with renewed exacerbation. sharp
twinges OF pain shooting TO my knee
and demanding instant relief.
In front OF the low stove / had no
ticed a stool. and for this | groped
with the eagerness OF the drowning
man after straw. To my Joy ! laid
hands upon II, and drawing II nearer
sank down with q sigh Of qualification
comparable only to that with which q
Marathon victor drops to earth after
a hotly-contes'ed race
Gradually. now that my weight was
removed. the pain lessened. and
sense OF comfort ensued. Content
ment enfolded me, which, II thought
OF Il al all. attributed. | suppose. to
the reaction from the agony which I
had Just been suffering. remember
thinking that I would rest a few min.
utes and then take my departure as
had entered. for | realized that cellar
doors are fastened ouly from within.
and that there could. therefore. be no
impediment TO my going when chose.
distinctly recall that | was con.
scious OF a certain strange incongruity
OF situation. but could hardly compre.
hend in Just what the ihcongruity con.
sisted. knew only that l felt pleas.
anuy warm and drowsy; and my
sprained ankle bad ceased altogether
to pain or annoy.
And then. | was sailing In an open
boat In midocean. and Peter Johnson.
In oilskins. sat at the helm, with q
leer on his face. and tugRed
at brief intervals. always longer and
stronger, upon what seemed to he the
sheet. which had become wrapped
around my throat and chest and which.
by degrees. was crushing my wincrips
and lungs. so that my breath came
only in sharp. shuddering. aching
yasps
Cro BE CoNTINuED)