The Holly chieftain., 1916-04-28

j knew both yer daddies. an ] reckon
yer'n take me long with yer. won't
you? Yer won't leave me yere fer ter
face that Anse Cowan? Yell promise
me that?"
"Of course. Nichols" said sooth-
ingly, the mans cowardice almost dis
gusting. IF you show US q way Of
escape we'll go together II the chance
comes-what is it? Speak quick?"
IL know the Oh trail over the
mountings down ter Covington; I
reckon as how you couldn't never git
thar without me. IL thought It all
out while was Iyin' yere trussed up
like turkey. but they never Civ me
no chance fer ter get loose. Now II
you folks will cut this yere rope often
my legs I'll show yer how fer ter git
out-an' nobodyll 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 IL below!"
Five steps leadin' down inter .
wood tank" he explained slowly. real.
izing that his only hope of release iay
In full description. Its empty now.
an dry as q board; amt been bap-
tism yere in six months. The place
whar' the water runs out is at the
south side. right down 'gainst the bot.
tom; ther cover ter the opening 10
screwed tight by a wheel. or Ned
Cowan made tber contraption. an yer
kin stand on ther upper step an open
an shut the thing. an never git yer
feet wet"
And how big is the opening?"
wal. l don't fist know, but I've
crawled through thar fixing leak. an
If did 1t onct. reckon l kin again.
'Taint morn bout six feet beyond ther
wall till 1t hits the edge O. ther ravine.
Thet's why the Yanks didn't make no
attack on thet side O. ther 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
Cuu. Dul uCI0 was plOlCCllOut huu
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 he
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?"
II reckon on thet 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 away7"
she whispered cautiously.
mo. not now. An opportunity may
come later. If 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 a chance
for you, and it is even barely possible
that. when all hope Of defense is over.
l may find some way of Joining you"
"You-you promise that?" she asked.
III l consent to go, you-you will come
later II you CAM"
Yes; will pledge myself to accept
every chance. when can do no more
fighting. I'll come to you. II l live.
Now, Nichols. listen-I am going to
set you free. and permit you to slip
down through that trap door with this
lady. She is armed. and she knows
how to shoot. Attempt one treacher-
GUS trick and you pay the penalty"
Il amt thet kind" he whined.
"Oh. yes you are; but 1t will never
pay this time. Don't take your eyes
OF him. Noreen; the moment that trap
door closes light the candle. and keep
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 you" 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 could find your"
I'm the woods to the west; there 10
trail half way down the ravine .
climbin' up-an OIL hog trail"
My fingers touched his throat, and
I bent lower staring straight into his