The vidette. (Iuka, Tishomingo County, Miss.) 1912-1967, 1923-02-01
CHAPTER II

creature VINO had just left him, but
soon his mind flowed down another
channel, far different from within or
an amusement-his mission in the
South, secret, grim and desperate. But
life on river steamboat in that day
left little time for brooding for, few
moments after Shottle left to risk his
liberty and Braces hundred, roust-
about thrust his head in Mt the door
and announced that down on the deck
here WIS to be throwing and tying
match. The big fircnan of the I.eona
rs about to encounter Vicksburg ice
the championship Of the River.
In an instant Drace was on his feet,
all his instincts keen and ready to
jump. He was something of a boxer
and wrestler, but he had not been
taught in this peculiar art of tying an
adversary once one has thrown him.
And there was that in his mind which
made the acquisition of this knowledge
seem to him desirable indeed.
AS he joined group of men max
ing their way below, he overheard the
Colonel, Miss Lucy's admirer, explain
ing the gentle pastime. "Tying man
once you have thrown him." the Colo
mel was saying, lis the climax of
prowess. l saw Cal Blodgett throw
ard tie Nick PAWN at a barbecue at
Mount Zion campground, and / have
cnuss to remember it, for the young
lady | went with deserted me for the
hero, sir-actually stuck flowers into
his hair. Here we are"
Two enormous fellows were strug-
Cling, while nearby lay convenient
rope. Finally Vicksburg Joe tied the
fireman, and he lay helpless, unable
to get up.
Il will give you five dollars if you
can throw me and tie me that way"
called BRACE to the victor when the
excitement had little subsidized.
Joe looked at Drace a moment. The
be dangerous, but-five dollars was
five dollars He smiled bowed,
spread out the wrinkled rug and took
Drace by the hand to lead him forth.
To the establishment of all, Drace
threw Master Joe; Sat he could not
tie the champion.
"Show me how it's DONE" said Vir-
gil, "and I'll give you the money"
For long time, and until the Colo
mel and Shottle We're worn out with
waiting tho two etr,orlad. and CO ont
was the student that he succeeded fin
ally in turning the master over and
tying him. But it seemed that the
burly champion was too willing, and
BRACE insisted on another fall. And
now, though the struggle was genuine
on Joe's part, Drace tied him. Still
more, another five promised, and Vir-
gil was willing to quit
"Finest sport I ever had!" he said
as he turned away to the upper deck
licitations showered upon him. :.
Drace was musing-not, it must be
confessed, upon the serious purposes
which had brought him to the South,
Dul uBOll lllul gil VI tilC 1tu loSCo
when Shottle appeared again. Liberty
stood in his presen ce, not with droop
but straight in the manly resolution
to discharge the duties an adverse fate
had thrust upon him. In the belief
that it would make him look more like
slave he now wore his coat turned
wrong side out.
"Master, salute you" he remarked.
"All right" said BRACE. But turn
your coat ! want my slave, the grind
er of my mill, to appear respectfully
clad. You may sit down."
81 thank you, sir"
you didn't last long"
mo, master. The tangled-haired
bag kicked me sidewise, like COW.
In only two pots! But what can you
expect of a man that has an ace-full
beaten? How long can a man preserve
his freedom at that rate? And fell
low with a spindle chin and a nose
no bigger than the average wart beat
me with four jacks. Crushed me And
he would have crushed julius Caesar
Just the same. Well, after all, free
dom has many responsibilities. AS a
slave I'll cultivate what virtues l can
get hold of, and look toward old age
and q cabin on the hillside. And now,
as 1t is natural for every man to hide
his degradation, will you permit me to
call you Virgil In the presence of 9th
err people?"
81 thought you didn't believe in the
natural thing! But all right grant
your request. And now I suppose I'd
better give you some pocket-change.
1t isn't well for even slave to be
broke"
The slaves face frightened with
hope. "You couldn't make 1t as much
as five dollars, could your
mo, thirty cents"
Shottle took the money and sat
dropping. BRACE gave him cigar, ana
they smoked for a time In silence. At
last Shottle looked toward BRACE, his
face guiltless of the whimsical humor
that had hitherto possessed it.
Master lie said, II don't want to
be inquisltive, and If I'm prying into
what's none of my business, won't
mind your saying so. But want to
be faithful slave, and / can serve
you best If know what-what are my
masters purposes in life. For exam
pie, was there any special reason for
your learning to throw and tie that
way7 Is there anybody in particular