The Oklahoma miner. [volume] (Krebs, Okla.) 1912-192?, 1920-03-11

or hard labor to place the craft safely
beyond the first bend where It might
lie roughly concealed by the interven-
Ing fringe Of trees. Here we made
fast to the bank.
l assisted Rene ashore, and aided
her TO climb TO a higher level, carpeted
with grass. The broad river was In
! visible, but we could look directly
| down upon the boat. where Sam was
already busily rummaging through the
lockers In search Of something to eat.
He came ashore presently, bearing
some corn pone and a goodly portion
Of jerked beef. Deciding it would be
better not to attempt n fire, we divided
| this and made the best meal possible,
meanwhile discussing the situation
| anew, and planning what to do next
| The negro, seated at one side alone
upon the grass, said little, beyond re-
/ plying to my questions, yet scarcely
| once removed his eyes from the GIRLS
| face. He seemed unable to grasp the
| thought that she was actually Of his
| race, a runaway slave or permit his
| tongue TO utter any words Of equality.
Indeed l could not prevent my own
| glance from being constantly attracted
| In her direction also. Whatever had
! been her mental strain and anguish.
| the long hours OF the night had in no
marked degree diminished her beauty.
To me she appeared even younger and
more attractive than in the dim glare
Of the lampllght the evening before
and this I'm spite Of q WEAKNESS IN her
eyes and the lassitude of her manner.
She spoke but little, compelling her
self TO eat, and assuming a cheerful.
ness | was sure she was far from feel
ing. 1t was clearly evident her
thoughts were elsewhere, and finally
the conviction came to me that, more
than all else, she desired to be alone
MY eyes sought the outlines Of the boat
lying in the stream below.
"What is there forward Of the cock
pit, Sam7" questioned.
"A cabin. sab; faint so awful big
but Massa Donaldson he uster sleeI
dar of an on"
"The young lady could rest there
them"
"Sure she ,ud. Twas all fixed W
fine afOre we lef' St. Louee. Ahl
show yer de way, missus."
She rose to her feet rather eagerly
and stood with one hand resting
against the trunk of a small tree. Hel
eyes met mine and endeayored {
smile
81 thank you for thinking Of that,
she said gratefully. IL really an
tired, and-and It will be rest just Il
be alone. You-you do not mind
I go?"
Certainly not. There is nothing 70
any of us TO do but just rake thing
. easy until night"
And then we are to go on up tn
7 river?"
! Yes, unless, Of course, somethln
r should occur during the day to chang
{ our plan. Meanwhile Sam and l wi
S take turns on guard, while you ca
; remain undisturbed."
! watched the two as they wer
r down the steep bank together an
{ Sam helped her over the rail into tn
Y cockpit. The negro left the door ope
and returned slowly, clambering u
e the bank.
= "'Cuse me, sah," he said clumsil!
g as he paused before me, rubbing hi
t head, his eyes wandering below. "Di
r All hear right whut yer sed las nigh
= bout how dat young woman was
d niger, n runaway from Massa Kirby
v Pears like An don't just seem fer tC
d cit dat right in my head, sab"
o THAT is the truth, Sam, althoug
l. It appears quite as impossible to n
II as to you. She has the blood OF you
J. race In her veins, and is legally
h slave"
d AN now she done b1ong ter d
e yere Massa KirbyT
IT Yes, he won all the Beaucail