The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-01
CHAPTER ~THIRTY-SEVEN

NI1AI En- 4111H i = EN
Black going. For the first mile
he expected at any moment to
hear sounds of pursuit, but they
reached the base of the foothills
with no sign of the soldiers. and
there Cliff gave the trail-wise
horses their heads, urging them
to a fast trot over the level
stretches, stopping only to turn on
the flash-light when the animals
hesitation told of a fork in the
trail.
Where are you taking me?'
Janet asked him once, as they
halted to let the horses rest.
big Swamp"
He had been dreading that
question, and he knew his answer
was evasive, but there wasn't
time to talk. Even beyond the
need for haste. there was nothing
to gain by telling her now. She
would know soon enough. And the
grim thought came to him that
if the soldiers overlook them,
there would be no need to tel
her at all.
On through the moonless night
he forced their tagging horses,
while the furtive eyes of jungle
creatures watched from beyond
the path, and night birds cried in
shrill protest at their passing.
Faint dawn w a S just touching
the waters of Big Swamp whe7
Cliff led Janet down the bank and
cut along the line of stunted man
groves toward the mist-shrouded
island that for a time at least
might have to be her home. AND
as he rode, it seemed incredibly
strange to think of her as a fugi-
tive, seeking a precarious refuge
where her father h a d sought il
two years before.
As they came nearer, Cliff
eyes searched each foot of the
island, but there was neither
sound nor motion, and soon they
we're climbing up from the
swamp and owe the flinty trai.
into the clearing. 1t lay quiet ano
empty. Too quiet. For a moment
he wondered if the vauueros OF
f%ederalists had already found the
place and were waiting for him
to walk into their trap. In either
case there was not time to ge
back now, and with no attempt
at concealment, he rode across
the clearing, then stopped in iron.
of the low. matched dwelling
where he had first met DR.. Nor
man.
Janet's eyes moved curiousk
about her, then rose to Cliff. ant
II them he T e a d the inevitable
question.
But still he did not speak. HI
knew he could 40 longer put OF
telling her the story OF ne.
fathers identity, yet he felt
vast unwillingness to begin - s.
much of the story he himself DIT
not understand. "Janet," n
drew a long breath 81 brough
YOU here because.
She was not listening. He
whole body had s%tiffened, he
eyes,. wide with disbelief, wer
looking beyond him, and turning
Cliff saw Norman in the doorway
Still as a statue Janet sat he
horse, while drop by drop tn
blood drained from her cheeks
her hands tried to rise, then drop
ped in weakness at her side.
"Father!!" Like a cry G
anguish the one word broke tn
silence. and now her head san
forward. she swayed, and woul'
have fallen from the saddle, hu
Norman caught the limp form il
his arms.
Jumping from h horse, CHI
took a step after them, then stop
ped. Better to leave them te
sether-there was SO much 10
them to say to one another. S
much in which he had no place
He watched Norman carry Jane
inside the shack, then walked
the edge of the clearing and 70
a time stood looking out acros
the waters Of Big Swamp, shin
mering in the sun. Behind him h
heard the low whinny of hi
horse. and realizing that the tw
animals were wet and wear