Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1919-11-07

IL. i am not taking ABOUT steam
boats; they could travel by night, and
hide along shore during the day. All
they would need would be two negro
0arsmen, sufficient food, and boat
big enough to carry them safely. You
have small boats, surely?"
II got one, Massa Knox" burst out
Pete eagerly. "She's down by de
mouth oh de creek, sab, an she sure
am mighty good boat. We could
load her up right here, an I'd be one
OBJ de niggers fer ter take dem ladies
down ribber. Use free boy, en- no
body care whar I done CO."
These unexpected words heartened
me, strengthened my own resolve, and
| obeyed the first impulse, instantly
crossing the room and frankly extend
ing my hand to the surprised negro.
'"That sounds like a man, Pete" /
exclaimed warmly. Eyes, of course
mean it-shake hands. You are white
enough for me, boy, and do not pro-
pose letting you do any more than l
am willing to do. Til 60 along with
you on this trip. l have sixty days
furlough.
"And now, what about you, HainesY'
] demanded "Are you ready to help?
Come, man, surely this is not some
thing we have any time to debate.
Kirby is liable to show up at any mo-
ment with full authority, and the sher-
if to back him. 1t is still early in
the evening, and we must work to-
night if at ALL
"YOu haven't the strength for such
a venture" he protested.
Haven't II" and | laughed. "Oh,
yes, have. I am young and this
wound is nothing. Are you with us?"
He was slow in replying, and, as l
eagerly watched his face, I could al
most comprehend the working of the
lawyer mind. He saw and argued
every doubt, considered every danger.
'In spirit, yes" he answered at last,
''but not physically. l believe under
the circumstances you are justified,
Knox. Perhaps I'd do the same thing
if l was in your place and had your
l.
fifty years DID, and this is my home.
If the story ever got out that I took
part in niger stealing, that would be
the end of me in Missouri. You can
take the risk, but about all can do
will be to keep a quiet tongue in my
head. I'll promise you that. But that
is all I can promise"
"Yet you acknowledge this is the
only way? No legal course Is open to
us?"
Absolutely none. If there was I
should never consent to be party to
this plan, or shield you In any way.
Kirby has undoubtedly got the law
with him. We cannot establish fraud
the property actually belongs to him
both mother and daughter are his
slaves"
and how about the other girl
Eloise?"
HE has no legal hold on her she is
q free white woman. He could only
hope to overcome her resistance by
threats. The plantation is irrevOcably
sesses the power to defy him because
of her mothers property. If Kirby
marries her, it will only be through
her consent"
He picked up his hat from the table,
and stout stick he had brought
along with him, taking step toward
the door.
II might as well tell you l consider
this mad scheme" he paused to add
gravely, "and that it will probably fail.
There is a possible chance of success, !
| admit, and for that reason / permit
you to go ahead with it, and pledge
myself to keep the secret. / was rather
intimately associated with Beaucaire
for number of years, and to see his
granddaughter sold into slavery, even
if she does have a drop Of niger
blood in her veins, lis more than l can
stand, without giving her chance to
get away. That is why consent to
abet crime, and keep still about it.
But beyond that I'll not go. Do you
understand the position this internal
affair puts me into?'
Eyes, / do, Haines," and / held out
my hand to him, with fresh cordially.
: 6 uncommonly white of you to
even go that far. Til pledge you this
for Pete here, as well AS myself
that if we are caught, your name shall
never be mentioned. Have you any adj
vice to give?"
He paused uncertainty, his hand on
the latch, the freight flashing up into |
his face.
"Only this" he said slowly. 'Tf I
were you I'd never attempt to go |
south. Below st. Louis boars are nu-
merous, and you would be almost GER
tain to be discovered. If Kirby chases |
yOu-and I know him well enough to |
be sure he Willie will naturally take |!
it for granted that you have headed |
for the Ohio. The very fact that the |
fugitives are women would convince |
him Of this. To my mind the one |
chance of your getting away, lies to
the north-up the Illinois. Anyhow,