Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-01-13

eet happen, SehufF 1 am also dNiteI,
an YOU are gone; tits the mercy of
God"
Shelby caught his breath to her ex-
pressive gestures. his fingers gripping
the knife.
Il doubt if l can get through that
hole" he said mournfully. after the
bars are cut. I'm pretty big"
But you must, senior; there is no
other way" she insisted impatiently.
1.-THE blade is strong, sharp; Get will
dig out the log but do not be long.
See-there is a tree yonder; i will
wait you there, an show where you
must CO. so there be no trail. You
come to me quick. but be still like
death. Madre de Diosl tbs the only
way"
She was gone before he could pro-
test again, vanishing into the black
night so swiftly and silently he could
only stare out helplessly through the
nbars. Yet she had left hope and deter
mination behind. With teeth set he
began the wsrk, finding the steel blade
effective against the tough hickory. 1t
was no light job, at that, but he piled
the knife desperately, possessing some
skill and unusual strength of wrist
and fingers. The stakes gave way one
after the other, but he was not salts
fed until Ire enlarged the opening
somewhat by removing all bark from
the logs, and prying loose the box
frame. This required all of half an
hour to accomplish, yet left an aper-
turp through which he believed he
might force his body. At that he
found no room to spare; but, by ven
turing it head first, screwing his shout
ders through one at time, and draw
ing in his breath tightly, he managed
to scrape painfully out of the hole,
clawing at the rough outside bark for
purchase, and finally coming down
face first onto the solid earth. At
that, he made little noise, but his flesh
smarted, and for a moment he rested
where he fell, confused and painting
for breath. The night was so black
there in the shadow of the great hills,
he could scarcely determine direc-
tons, vet the girl had pointed toward
tie right, and, as soon as he could at
tain his feet, he advanced cautiously
that way. with hands held out before
him. The path was rocky and uneven,
probably leaving little trace of his
passage. She touched him before he
was even aware of her near presence,
he hI1t HjmmpSt
outline, her face indistinguishaDie
through the gloom.
Speak low, senor," she whispered
briefly, "Come with me this way"
He permitted her to lead him for
ward over ground sloping upward but
before they had thus advanced fifty
yards, Shelby stopped, determined to
question her purpose.
"Where are you taking me? To
Olga?'
mo, senior; not now. I must leave
you in safety first. Later bring her
to you. Why you ask? You not trust
me?"
Eyes, I trust you, Pancha; but isn't
it better that I understand the plan?
Then we can work together"
She drew in a quick breath impa-
tiently. her fingers clutching at his
sleeve.
"Dios! this is not time to stand
and talk, senior" she burst forth, yet
listen. if not do otherwise. There is no
time left tonight in which to escape.
I must be back in the house before
Indian Joe wakes, or my brother re-
turns. All | can hope to do is hide
YOU where you not be found. Then
we must plan what is best to do"
"You know where she isT'
"Si, senior; know yet eet will not
he easy to get her away. She is not
left unmatched, and nothing can be
done tonight. I must watch and wait.
Eet will only be safe when Senior
Macklin and my brother are both
away"
you mean that I am to hide out
yonder somewhere until you are
ready?" he questioned. as that the
scheme"
"There is no other thing possible,
Even that may fail. Senior, do not be
a fool" she urged earnestly. II know
the danger of all this; you not realize
even vet what eet means to be pris-
oner in Wolves hole. These men keel;
1t Is their only law. I risk my life to
do this, and there is but one chance
of success. Alone, unaided, you can
never get out of here-never Why?
YOU ask. Because, senior, every pass
is under guard; they are never left
Open"
"Then how are we to goT
"Along a path known only to my
self and one other, senior. A young
Indian found eet by accident and con-
tided his secret to me! He come. and
went that way for year. but no one
else know. Once he took me half way
to top Get is rough. yet can be fol-
lowed. Now you see am rightT
az have no choice; / owe you my
life already"
"Then do as I say, senior. / VIII
leave you where you can never be
found. have food here in this sack.
You must wait there hidden, until |
come. Eet may be day. two days,