The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-03-03

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your Yer won't leave me yere fer ter
face that Anse cowanl Yell promise
me that
'-0f course. Nichols" ] said sooth-
ingly. the mans cowardice almost dis
gushing. III you show Us a way OF
escape wen go together II the chance
Is IL? Speak quick?"
III know the oil trail over the
mountings down ter Coyington; I
reckon as how you couldn't never git
thar without me. IL thought II all
ont while was Iyin' yere trussed up
like turkey. but they never Civ me
no chance fer ter get loose. Now IL
you folks win cut this yere rope offen
my legs I'll show yer how fer ter git
out-an' nobody'll never know nuthin'
bout It"
Explain first" | said shortly. AS
far as trust goes. have confidence In
you. Nichols. just SO far as can see
you. What is below!"
Five steps Ieadln' down inter a
wood tank" he explained slowly. real
izing that his only hope of release lay
in full description. Its empty now.
an dry as a board: amt been a bap-
tism yere in six months. The place
whar' the water runs out is at the
south side. right down 'gainst the bot
tom; Their cover ter the opening Is
screwed tight by a wheel. or Ned
Cowan made Their contraption. an yer
kin stand on Their upper step an open
an shut the thing. an never git yer
feet wet"
And how big is the opening?"
wal. don't fist know, but I've
crawled through thar fixing leak. an
II did It onct. reckon kin again.
'Taint MORN bout six feet beyond Their
wall till 1t hits the edge o. Their ravine.
Thet's why the Yanks didn't make no
attack on tibet side o. Their church
thar amt no room"
The whole situation lay clear before
me. had no thought Of utilizing this
unexpected opportunity myself. for |
meant to stay with the others. and
perform my part Of the fighting to the
end. But here was protection. and
possible escape. for Noreen. Yet could
the preacher be trusted! Would he
play fair II released him, and left
them alone together? Did not his In
terests also lie in getting away safe
ly? What act of treachery could be
commit, and. besides the girl was
armed.
How do you light this church,"
Candles mostly" surprised at the
question. yer amt goin' fer ter light
up. are your"
mot here-no; but below; where is
there one?"
Il reckon on tibet thar shelf in the
pulpit yer'll find dozen er so"
Bring couple here. Noreen."
She slipped across silently, and
came back with two In her hand.
"You are going to try to get away?'
she whispered cautiously.
mo. not now. An opportunity may
come later. II 1t was possible to slip
all these men out would gladly do so
but 1t is already too late for any
such attempt. But there is chance
for you. and 1t is even barely possible
that. when all hope Of defense is over
I may find some way OF joining you. J"
"You-you promise thatT she asked
IF consent to go. you--you will come
later IL you can?p
Yes; | will pledge myself to accept
every chance. when can do no more
fighting. I'll come to you, IL | live
Now, Nichols. lIsten-I am going ia
set you free, and permit you to sir
down through that trap door with this
lady. She is armed, and she knows
how to shoot. Attempt one PREACHER;
Gus trick and you pay the penalty"
Il amt tibet kind" he whined.
"0h, yes you are; but 1t will never
pay this time. Don't take your eyes
of him. Noreen; the moment that traI
door closes light the candle. and keer
the revolver ready. Make him unscrew
the cap. and leave 1t of out of the
way. Set the candle down in one cor
ner as far back as possible. You bet
ter go out first"
IL am not to wait for your" be
wildered.
Not in there-no; outside, for they
might fire the building. Nichols
where is the best place for the two Of
you to hide so l could find your"
"In the woods to the west; there IL
a trail half way down the ravine o
climbin' up--an oil hog TRAIL"
My fingers touched his throat, and
bent lower staring straight into his
eyes.
Now, mark we'll what say
Nichols. ! am going to release you
and give you chance to get away
But you stay with the woman--do you
hear! Stay with her until you both
reach the Confederate lines at Coving
ton. II / ever get out of here alive,
and learn you have attempted any
trick, m run you down, Nichols, IL II
takes ten years. Now I'll cut the rope,
and you creep over to where that ring
is in the floor, and wait my order"
Evidently his limbs we're numb from
the tight cord. for he crept the few
feet painfully. and then sat up rubbing
the afflicted parts with both hands.
swept one glance out through the win
dow. and then about the dim Interior
endeavoring to locate the men nearest
us. Only one stood close enough to