The Oklahoma miner. [volume] (Krebs, Okla.) 1912-192?, 1920-03-04

sionally, as he lifted his head for some
purpose the dim radiance fell upon
his face, revealing the unmistakable
countenance Of a mulatto, a fellow of
medium size, broad of cheek. with un-
usually full lips and a fringe of whis-
ker turning gray. Somehow this rev
elation that he was negro and not a
white man brought with it to me an
additional confidence in success. l In
clined my head and whispered in the
girls ear:
'You are not to move from here I'M
til l call. This is to be my part of
the work, handling that lad. l am
going now"
"He is colored, is he not-a slave?"
ave can only guess as to that. But
he does not look to me like hard
proposition. If l can only reach the
boat without being seen the rest will
be easy. Now IS the proper time,
while he is busy tinkering with the
engine. You will stay here?"
Eyes, or course; II could be of no
help"
She suddenly held out her hand, as
though impelled to the action by some
swift impulse, and the warm pressure
Of her fingers meant moro than words
| I could not see the expression on her
! face, yet knew the slender body was
trembling nervously.
"Surely you are not afraid?"
"Oh, no; it Is not that-I-I am all
! unstrung. You must not think of me
at all"
I realized the gravity Of my task,
and my eyes were watChful of the
shrouded figure l was silently ap-
preaching l drew nearer inch by
inch, advancing so slowly and snake
| like that not even the slightest sound
! Of movement aroused suspicion. Ap-
| parently the fellow was engaged In
oiling the machinery, for he had
! placed the lantern on deck and held
a long-spOuted can in his fingers. His
back remained toward me as | drew
near the stern, and consequently
no longer had a glimpse Of his face
The wooden wheel Of the boat, q
clumsy appearing apparatus, rested nj.
most directly against the bank, where
the water was evidently deep enough
to float the vessel, and the single rope
holding 1t in position was drawn taut
from the pressure of the current
Waiting until the man was compelled
to bend lower over his work, utterly
unconscious Of my presence, I straight
ened up and, pistol in hand stepped
upon the wooden beam supporting the
wheel. He must have heard this
movement, for he lifted his heaC
quickly, yet was even then too late
already ! had gained the afterdecll
and my weapon was on n level will
his eyes.
Don't move or cry outw l com
; manded sternly. "Obey orders ant
you will not be hurt"
lie shrank away, sinking upon tn
, bench, his face upturned so that tn
% light foll full upon 1t, for the instan
S too greatly surprised and frightene
, TO give utterance to a sound. Hi
t mouth hung open, and his eyes stare
Q NJ me-
y "Who-who wus yer2 Wnarcn
r want yereg
e 81 am asking questions and you ar
n answering them. Are you armed
n All right, then; hand it over. Now pu
r out that light"
lie did exactly as | told him, moy
o ing as though paralyzed by fear, ye
2, unable to resist.
d you are IA negro-a slave?"
Is "Yas, sab; Ah's Massa Donaldson
e boy frum St. Louee"
e "He is the sheriff.
W "Yas, sah-yas, sah. Whar is Mass
d Donaldson? Yer amt done bin SCI
e yere by him, l reckon. Pears like
.e never see yer afOre.'
j. mo; but he is quite safe. What
l. your name"
r "S0m, sah-just plain Sam"
n "Well, SAM l understand you are a
t engineer. Now, II happens that wal
a. to use this boat, and you are going