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OF THE BORDER A TALE OF THE PLAINS B> RANDALL PARR1SH Antfcar ?f "MY LADY OF THY SOUTH." "WHIN WTLDBRNK9S WAS RING." etc IflasliWUmt by MAMOtN MILVUX. (C?trrts*t. k. C MoCtmrg A Cm., 1M0.> He pomtwd the appetite of the open, of the normal man In perfect physical health, and he ate heartily, hie eyes wandering out of the open window down the long, dismal street A drunken man lay In front of the "Red Light" saloon sleeping undis? turbed ; two cur dogs were snarling at each other hist beyond over a bone; a movers' wagon waa slowly coming fa across the open through a cloud of yellow dust That was all within the radius of vision. For the first time in years the Fast called him?the old 1Mb of cleanliness and respectability. Re swore to himself as he tossed the Chinaman pay for hla breakfast, and strode out onto the steps. Two men ware coming up the street together from the opposite direction?one lean, dark skinned, with black goatee, the Other heavily sot with closely trim good gray beard. Keith knew the lat? ter, and waited, leaning against the Joor. one hand on his hip. "Hollos Bob." bo said genially; "they must have routed you out pret? ty early today." "They shore did. Jack." was the re eponse. Ho came np the steps some? what heavily, his companion stopping heiow "The hoys raise hell all night, an' then come tor me tor straighten at oat In the ma wot n' When did ye gat In?" "An boor aco: had to wake the Vhtnk' up to get any chuck. Town looks dead." "Taint over Ueoty at this time o' day.' permitting his blue eyes to wan sWr up the silent street, but Instantly them back to Keith's face, I reckon it'll wake op later on " Re stood squarely on both feet, and geae hand rested on the butt of a re weaver Keith noticed thla, wonder lag vaguely *T reckon yer know. Jack, as bow I generally git what 1 goes after." said the slow, drawling rolce. "an' that I straw 'bout is quick as any o' the hoys They tell me yo re a gun fight or. but It won't do ye no good ter snake a play yere. for one o' us Is sure to git yer?do yer sabs?" "Oet me* ' Keith's voice snd face "Are You OoiiV to Raise a Row, or Come Along Quietly?" expressed astonishment, but not a s?usele of his body moved "What do yes mean. Bob?are you fellows after "Sure thing; got the warrant here." shed ho tapped the breast of his shirt with bis left hand II The color mounted into the cheeks Of the other, his lips grew set and white, and his gray eyes darkened "Let it all out. Marshal." he said Oternly. "you've got me roped snd tied Now what s the cherge?" Neither man moved, but the one be? low swung about so as to face them, erne hand thrust out of sight beneath the Uli of hla long coat "Make him throw up his hands. Mob." be said sharply "Oh. I reckon thar ain't goln* ter %e no trouble." returned the marshal gssnlslly. yet with no relaxation of at tenM ? . Ke!f | k n v | ggf poets a fair dsal Still, maybe I bet? tor aak y?r M m? Itch y*r be t lack " A moment Keith ?**emed to hesitate. plslr.lv /:.<| by the fltustlon and wadesvorlna ro see some wsy of es capw alt lips smiled, and he ollentlT - hooked ths belt, hsndlng It over "flare, I know you're ?quare. TTIrks." fee sab! coolly "And now I've unllm %ered. kindly Inform me what this Is evil about" "I reckon yer don't know " "No more than an unbern bnhe 1 stave bson here but an hour " "That's It If yer bad be?n longer Sthar wouldn't bs no trouhlo Yo're wanted for kllHn' a couple o' n.on gsg sit Clmmnrnn ('ronsln' early yesterday sworn rv Ket'h stsred st him too complete! .? astounded for the tn*?.int to even speak. Then be gssfgi < "For Clod's sake. Mick?? do you 1: ? tleve that f* "I'm damned If I know." return*-1 the marshal, doubtfullv "Don't *. | tike ye'd do It. but the evidence Is straight 'noush. an' thar ain't nothln' for me ter do but take ye In. 1 ain't no jedge an' Jury." "No. but you ought to have ordinary senn?. an' you've kuown me for three years." "Sure I have. Jack, but If yee've gone wrong, you wont be the first good man I've seen do It. Anyhow, the evidence U dead agin you, an' I'd ar? rest my own grand-dad if they give me a warrant agin him." "What evidence Is there?" "Five men swear they saw ye haul In' the bodies about, and loot In' the pockets." Then Keith understood, his heart beating rapidly, his teeth clenched to keep back an outburst of passion. So that was their game, was it??some set of his had awakened the cowardly suspicions of those watching blm across the river. They wore afraid that he knew them as white men. 1 And they had found a way to safely muizle him. They must have ridden hard over those sand dunes to have reached Carson City and sworn out this warrant. It was a good trick, likely enough to hang him, if the fel? lows only stuck to their story. Ail this flashed through bis brain, yet somehow be could not clearly compre- , bend the full meaning, his mind con? fused and dated by this sudden real? isation of danger. His eyes wandered from the steady gase of the marshal, who had halt drawn bis gun fearing resistance, to the man at the bottom of the steps. Suddenly it dawned toon htm where be had seen that dark-skinned face, with the black goa? tee, before?at the faro table of the "Red light" He gripped bla bands together. Instantly connecting that sneering, sinister face with the plot. "Who swore but that warrant?" "I did, If you need to know," a sar? castic smile revealing a gleam of whtie teeth, "on the affidavit of others, friends of mine." "Why are you?" 'Tm mostly called 'Black Part.'" That was It; he bad the name now ?"Black Bart" He straightened up so quickly, his eyes biasing, that the marshal jerked his gun clear. "See here. Jack," shortly, "are yer goin' to raise a row, or come along qnietr As though the words had aroused him from a bad dream, Keith turned to front the stern, bearded face. "There'll be no row. Bob," he said, quietly. "HI go with you." CHAPTER IV. An Old Acquaintance. The Carson City lock up was an Im? provised affair, although a decidedly popular resort It was originally a two-room' cabin with gable to the street, the front apartment at one time a low grogg^ry, the keeper sleep? ing In the rear room. Whether sud? den death, or financial reverses, bad been the cause, the community had in some manner become possessed of the property, and had at once dedicated It to the commonweal. For the pur? pose thus selected it was rather well adapted, being strongly built, easily guarded, and on the outskirts of the town. With iron grating over the windows, the back door heavily spiked, and the front secured by Iron bars, any prisoner once locked within could probably be found when wanted. On the occasion of Keith's arrival, the portion abutting upon the street was occupied by a rather miscellaneous assembly?the drunk and disorderly elements conspicuous-?who were awaiting their several calls to appear before a local Justice and make an swer for various misdeeds. Some were pacing the floor, others sat moodily on benches ranged against the wall, while a few were still peacefully slum? bering upon the foor. It was a frowsy, disreputable crowd, evincing but mild curiosity at the arrival of a new pris? oner Keith had barely time to glance about recognizing no familiarity of face amid the mass peering at him, as i aal littst lad briskly forward an?l thrust into the rear room, the aeavy door closing behind him with the snap of a spring lock. He was alone, with only the faint est murmur of voices coming to him through the thick partition. It was a room some twelve feet square, open to the roof. vr\th bare walls, and con tslning no furniture except a rude : bench. Still dazed by the suddenness of his arrest, be sank down upon the seat, leaned his head on his bands, and endeavored to think. It was dif? ficult to get the facts marshalled into any order or to comprehend clearly the situation, yet little by little his brain grasped the main details, and he awoke to a full realization of his condition, of the forces he must war against The actual murderers of those two men on the trail had had their suspicions aroused by his ac? tions; they believed he guessed some? thing of their foul deed, and had de tormlned to clear themselves by charging the crime directly against him. It was a shrewd trick, and 11 they only stin k to their story, ought to succeed He bad no evidence, oth er than bis own word, and the marshal bad already taken from his pockets the papers belonging to the slain man. He had not found the locket hidden under his shirt, yet a more thorough search would doubtless re veal that also. PJssjsj should the rase come to trial, how would it ho possible lot htm to establish hiaOOSJlflfi. and would It ever come to trial? Keith know the character of the frontier, and of Car sen City. The inclination of ltl cltl tens In such eeaea was to net first, and reflect later. The law had but slender hold, being rWSpseted only1 * hen harked by the strong hand, and primitive Instinct* were alwgyi in the ase ndenry. r? quiring merely a lead I to break forth tfl open violence. And in thti ease weald there i??- any lack of leadership 1 Like a Sash hli mind revert.-1 to "Black Hart ' There w*\ the man capable of inciting a mob If. for aona MUkllO\Ul rtglOIl, he had KUf flrlent interest to swear out the war? rant and assist in the arrost, he would have equal cause to serve those fel? lows behind htm in other ways. Nat? urally, they would dread a trial, with its possibility of exposure, and eagerly grasp any opportunity for wiping the slate clean. Their real security from discovery undoubtedly lay in his "Oh, De Good Lawd, Dat Am Massa Walte an' John Slbiey." death, and with the "Red Light" ! crowd behind them they would ex- 1 perience no trouble in getting a fol- ! lowing desperate enough for any pur- , pose. The longer Keith thought the less he doubted the result. It was not then a problem of defence, but of escape, for he believed now that no oppor? tunity to defend himself would ever be allowed. The arrest was merely part of the plot Intended to leave him helpless in the hands of the mob. In this Hicks was in no way blamable? he had merely performed his sworn duty, and would still die, if need be, in defence of his prisoner. He was no tool, but only an instrument they had found means of using. Keith was essentially a man of ac? tion, a fighter by instinct, and so long accustomed to danger that the excite? ment of It merely put new fire into his velriB. Now that he understood exact? ly what threatened, all numbing feel? ing of hesitancy and doubt vanished, and he became instantly alive. He would not lie there in that hole wait? ing for the formation of a mob; nor would he trust in the ability of the marshal to defend him. He had Borne friends without?not many, for he was but an occasional visitor at Carson?who would rally to Hick's assistance, but there would not bo enough on the side of law and or? der to overcome the "Red Light" out? fit, if once they scented blood. If be was to be saved from their clutches, he must save himself; If his inno? cence wits ever established it would be by his own exertions?and he could accomplish this ouly out yonder, free under the arch of sky. He lifted his head, every nerve tin? gling with desperate determination. The low growl of voices was audible through the partition, but there was no other sound. Carson City was ?tlll ratting, and there would be no crowd nor excitement until much later. Not until nightfall would any attack be at tempted; he had iix or eight hours yet In Which to perfect his plans. He ran his eyes about the room searching for some spot of weakness. It was dark bHck of tho bench, and he turned in that direction. I>eun!ng over, he looked down on the figure of a man furled up, sound asleep on the floor. The fellow's limbs twitched as If In a dream, otherwise he might have deem? ed him dead, as his face was burled in his arms. A moment Keith hesi? tated; then he reached down and shook the sleeper, until he aroused sufficiently to look up. It was the face of a coal black negro. An in? stant the fellow stored at the man towering over htm, his thick Hps part? ed, his eyes full of sudden terror. Thon he sat up, with hands bold be? fore him as though warding off a I blow. "Fo' de Lawd's sake," he managed to articulate finally, "am dls sho' yo\ ; Massa Jack?" Keith, to whom all colored people were much alike, laughed at the ex? pression on the negro's face. "I reckon yer guessed the name, all I right, boy. Were you the cook of the Diamond L?" "No, sah. I nebber cooked no dl'onds. l'?? oV Neb, sah." "What ?" "Yes, sah, l'se de boy dat libbed wld ol: Missus Caton durtn' de wah. I ain't seen yo', Massa Jack, sence do |gy we hurled yo' daddy, oT Massa Keith. But I knowed yo' de berry mlmite I woke up. Sho' yo* ^members Neb, sahr It camo to Keith now In sudden i rush of memory the drizzling rain j In the little comstsry, tho fow neigh? bors standing shout, a narrow fringe of slaves back of them, the lowering of the coffin, and tho hollow sound of earth falling on the box; and Neb, his ! \unt Chton'l house servant, a black Imp of good humor, who begged so hard to be taken buck with him to the war. Why, tho boy had held his stir? rup the next morning when he rode away. The sudden rush of recollec? tion seemed to bridge tho years, and that black face became familiar, a memory of home. "Of course, i remember, Nob," he exclaimed, eagerly, "hut that's all years ago und I rover expected to s*e you again. What brought you Watt and got you Into this hob'?" Tho negro bitched up onto the bench, the whites of his eyes eonaplo1 ? nous as he ?tared uneasily about ho had a short, squatty ilgtire, with ex? cessively broad shoulders, and a fact of Intense good humor. "I reck'n" dat am conslder'ble ob a Btory, Massa Jack, de circumlocution ob which would take a heap ob time tollln'," he began scberly. "But It happened 'bout dla way. When de Yankees ome ?noopln' long do East 1 Sho'?I rock'n maybe it des a yeah aft Of dat time when we done buriod de ol* Co'nel?dey burned Missus Oaton's house clah to de groun'; de ol' Missus was In Richmond den, an' do fow nig? gers loft jest natchally took to do woods. I wout luto Richmond hunt'n' de ol' Missus, but, Lewd, Massa Jack, ! I nebber foun' mithin' ob her In dat crowd. Den an' officer man done got me an* put me dlgg?V In de trenches. Ef dat's what wan am, I sho' don' want no mo' wah. Den after dat I Jest natchally drifted. I reckon I llbbed 'bout eberywhar yo' ebber heard ob, fo' dar want no use cb me goln' back, to do East Sho'. Somebody said dat de West am de right place fo' a nig? ger, an' so I done headed west." He dropped his face In his black hands, and w'as silent for some min? utes, but Keith said nothing, and fin? ally the thick voice continued: "I tell you', Massa Jack, It was mighty lonely fo' Neb dem days. I didn't know whar any ob yo' all was, an' it want no fun fo' dls nigger bein' I free dat away. I got out ter Indepen- | dence, Missouri, an' was roustaboutln' on de rlbber, when a couple ob men come along what wanted a cook bo | trabbel wld 'em. I took de Job, an' I dat's what fetched me here ter Carson ' City." "But what caused yonr arrest?" "A conjunction ob circumstances, Massa Jack; yes, sab, a conjunction ob clrcuniBtanoes. I got playin' pokah Ohof In dat 'Red Light,' an' I was doln' fine I reckon I'd cleaned up mo*L a hundred dollars when I got sleepy, an' started fo' camp. I'd most got dar w'en a bunch ob low white trash Jumped mo. It made me mad, It did fo' a fact, an' I reckon I carved some ob 'em up befo' I got away. Enny how, de marshal come down, took me ! out ob de tent, an' fetched me here, . an' I ben here ebber sence. I want | goln' ter let no low down white trash ' git all dat money." "What became of the men you were working for?" "I reckon dey went on, sah. Dey j had 'portent business, an' wouldn't j likely wait 'round here Jest ter help ! a nigger. Ain't ennybody ben here ter see me, nohow, an' I 'spects I'se eradi? cated from dey mem ry?I 'apects I is." CHAPTER V. ? i The One Way. Kerb said nothing lor some mo? ments, staring up at the light stealing In through the window grating, his mind once again active. The eyes of the black man had the patient look of a dog as they watched; evidently ho had cast aside all responsibility, now that this other had come. Final? ly Keith spoke slowly: "We are In much the same position. Neb, and the fate of one is liable to be the fate of both. This Is my story" ?and briefly as possible, he ran over the circumstances which had brought him there, putting the situation clear enough for the nc-ro's understand? ing, without wasting any t.me upon detail. Neb followed his reoital with bulging eyes, and an occasional excla? mation. At the end he burs: forth: "Yo' say dar was two ob dem white men murdered?one an ol' man wid a gray beard, an' de odder 'bout thirty? Am dat It, Massa Jack, an' dey had fo' span ob mules, an' a runnln1 boss?" "Yes." ?'An' how far out was it?" "About sixty mile4*." "Oh, dc good Lawd!" and the negro threw up his hands dramatically. "Dat sutt'nly am my outfit! Dat am Massa Waite an' John 8ible.r.M "You mean the same men with whom you came here from Indepen? dence?" Neb nodded, overcome by the dis? covery. "But what caused them to run such a risk?" Keith insisted. "Didn't they know the Indians were on the war path?" "Sho'; I heard 'em talkin' T>out dat, but Massa Waite was jest boun' foh to git movln'. He didnt 'pear to be ?fraid oh no Injuns; reck'ned dey'd nebber stop him, dat he knowed eb bery chief on de plains. I reck'n dat he did, too." "But what was he so ai xlous to get away for?" "I dunno, Map^a, I done heord 'em talk some 'bout dey plans, an* 'bout some gal dey wanted ter fin', but I didn't git no right sense to lt. De Gtn'ral, be was a might svill n an." I "The General? Whom do you mean? Not Waite"" "John Blbley deno called hin dat." Then Keith remembered?Just a dim, misty thread at first, changing slowly into a clear recol ecticn. He was riding with despatches from Long street to Stonewall Jackson, and had been shot through the side. The first of Jackson's troops he reached was a brigade of North Carolinians, commanded by General Walte?Gen? eral Willis Waite. Ho bail fallen from his horse at the outposts, was brought helpless to the General's tent, and an? other sent on with the papers. And Mrs. Walto had dressed und bandaged his wound. That was where ho had Been that woman's face before, with Its haunting familiarity. Ho drew tho looket from beneath hla shirt, and gazed at the countenance revealed, with new intelligence. There could be DO doubt- It was the face of her who had cared for him so tenderly in that tent at Manassas before the fever eamo and he had lost consciousness. And that, then, was Will a Walte ly lug In that shallow grave near the Clramaron Crossing, and for whose death be had been arrested. 'Twas a strange world, ami a small ? ee. What a miserable ending to a life like Ms a division commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, s LI utenant-Gov ornor or qib state. What strange combination of circumstances couM ever have brought such a man to this place, and ^ent him forth across tho^e ! Indi m-scouted plains? Surely nothing ordinary. And why should thoso bor? der (1< speradoos have followed, through sixty n.iles of r1--elation, to strike him down ? It was no* robb or ?', at least In the crdlnary sense. What then? And how was "Black Bart' In? volved? Why should he be sufflclen ly Interested to swear out a warrant, and then assist in his arrest? There must be something to all this not ap? parent upon the surface??ome object, some purpose shrouded in mystery. No mere quarrel, no ordinary feud, no accident of meeting, no theory of coin monplac*1 robbery, would account for the deed, or for the desperate efforts now being made to conceal it. Some way, these questions, thus surging upon him. became a call to live, to fight, to unravel their mystery. The memory of that sweet-faced wom? an who had bent above him when the fever began Its mastery, appealed to him now with the opportunity of serv? ice. Ke might be able to clear this, bring to her the truth, save her from despair, and hard over to Justice the murderers of her husband. It was up i to him alone to accomplish this?no ! one else knew what he knew, suspect* { ed what he suspected. And there was ! but one way?through escape. To re- | main there in weak surrender to fate | could have but one ending, and that i swift snd sudden. He had no doubt j as to "Black I-art's" purpose, or of his ability to use the "Red Light" outfit as desired. The whole plan was clear? ly evident, and there would be no de? lay In execution?all they were wait? ing for was night, and a lax guard. He glanced about at the walls of the room, his eyes grown hard, his teeth clenched. "Neb," he said shortly, "I guess that was your outfit all right, but they were not kilted by Indians. They were run down by a gang from thjs town?ihe san e fellows who have put you and me In here. I don't know what they were after?that's to be found out later,?but the fight you put up at the camp spoiled their game for once, and led to your arrest. They failed to get what was wanted In Carson, and so they trailed the party to the -lmmaron Crossing. Then I got on th Mr track, and fearing the re? sult, they've landed me also. Now they'll get rid of us both as best they can. These follows won't want ?ny trial?that would be liable to give the whole trick away?but they have got to put us where we won't talk. There is an easy way to do this, and that is by a lynching bee. Do you get ray drift, Neb?" The whites of the negro's eyes were very much in evidence, his hands grip? ping at the bench on which he sat. "Fo' de Lawd. yes. Massa Jack, I sho* docs. I co'Toborates de whole thing." "Then you are willing to take a chance with me?" "WlllhVl Why, Massa Jack, I'se overjoyed; I ain't gwlno leave yer no mo . I'se sho' gwine ter be yo' nigger. What yo' gwine ter do?" Keith ran his eyes over the walls, carefully noting every peculiarity. "We'll remain here quietly Just as loner as It is daylight, Nob," he r^pMod finally, " hut we'll try every board snd every log to ('Iscover some way out. .Tust the moment It grows dark enop?:h to slip away Without being seen we've ' got to hit the prairie. Once south of the Arkansua we're safe, but not until ; then. Have you mode any effort to got out?" The n? gro came over to him, and bent down. "I was layin' on a board what I'd ; worked loose at one end," he whis- < pered hoarsely, "back ob de bench, hut I couldn't Jerk It out wld'out I something ter pry it up wid." "Where is Itr "Right yore, Massa Jack." It was a heavy twelve-Inch plank, part of the flooring, and the second from the side wall. Keith managed to get a grip next to the black fingers, and the two pressed it up far enough for the white man to run one arm i through the opening up to his shoul- ! der and grope about below. "There's a two-foot space there," he reported, as they let the board settle j lilently down Into position. "The back J part of this building must be set up on piles, I reckon we could pry that plank up with the bench. Neb, but It's liable to make considerable racket. Let's hunt about first for some other weak spot." They crept across the floor, testing each separate board, but without dis? covering a place where they could ex? ert a leverage. The thick planks were tightly spiked down. Noi did the walls offer any better encouragement 1 Keith lifted himeelf to the grated window, getting a glimpse of the world without, but finding tho iron im? movable, the ?crews solidly imbedded in the outside wood. He dropped to tho floor, feeling baffled and dlseour* ( aged. "It will have to be the plank back of tho bench. Neb," he announced briefly, wiping tho perspiration from his face. "Get down th^re, and work It as loose as you can without making any noise, while I keep my ear to the door and listen for any interruption." They took turns at this labor, dis? covering a loose nail which gave an opening purchase at the crack, thus enabling the Insertion of a small wood* ?n block, and Insuring space for a good linger grip when the right tb>>o came. A sloopv Mexican brought ill thotr dinner, and net it down on the bench without a word, but. on his re? turn *ith supper, tho marshal aecont? pan led him. and remained while they nt<a. talking to Keith, and staring about the ro un. Fortunitoly, the sin? gle window was to tho west, tho last rays of the nun struck th(* opposite wall, leaving the space bebind tl I bench in deep shadow. Whatever might be the plans of "Black Kart" and his cronies, Keith was soon con? vinced they were unknown to Hicks, who had evidently been deceived into thinking that this last arrest had created no excitement "That's why we picked yer up early," he explained, genially. "Bart said if we got to yer afore the boys woke up they'd never hear nut bin' *bout it:, an' so thar wouldn't be no row. He didn't even think thar'd be enny need o' keepin' a special guard ter-night, but I reckon I won't take no such chance as that an' I'll have couple o' deputies prowlln' Yound fer luck. When Carson does wake up, she's hell." He left them tobacco and pipes, and went away evidently convinced ihat he had performed his full duty. The two prisoners, puffing smoke-rings into the air, heard the heavy clang of the iron bar falling into place across the doer, and sat looking into one anoth? er's faces through the deepening twi? light. In the mind of both blaek and white reposed the same thought The negro was first to break the silence. " 'Pears ter me, Massa Jack, liko dis yere Bart pusson am mighty anx? ious ter hab no suspicions raised." "Anybody but Hicks would see that." acknowledged the other, the rings of smoke circling his head, 'but he hasn't any brains. It was pure nerve that got him the Job. Well, this is one time that Bart pusson' Is going to find an empty coop. We'll get out, Neb. Just as soon as It gets dark enough. Hicks isn't likely to put on his extra guard for an hour yet, and the 'Red Light' bunch won't be fit for business much before midnight. By that time we'll be in the sand hills, heading south, able to give them a run for their money?we'll have horses, too. if we can find them." The negro's eyes shoae white. "Fo' de Lawd's sake, Massa," he protested, "dat'd sho' be a hangln' Job if ebber dey cotched us." Keith laughed, knocking out the ashes from his pipe. "With an hour's start that will be the least of my troubles," he said* quietly. CHAPTER VI. The Escape. It was dark enough for their pur* pose in half an hour, the oc'y gleam of remaining color being the i*sd glow of the negro's pipe, even the opening Ig "Land's Sake, You Doan Mean to Steal Dem Hosses?" the iron grating being blotted from sight. Keith, staring in that direction, failed to perceive any distant glimmer, of star, and decided the night must be cloudy, and that time for action had come. Guided by Neb's pipe bowl, he touched the boy on the shoulder. "Knock out your ashes, and shu^.e about lively with your feet, while I pry up the board." In spite of his slendermiss, Keith possessed unusual strength, yet no ex ertion on his part served to start the loosened plank sufficiently for their purpose. Ripping a strip from the bench he managed to pry the bole somewhat larger, arranging the bench itself so as to afford the necessary leverage, but even then his entire weight failed to either start the spikes, or crack the plank. Some al? tercation began in the other room, tho sound of angry voices and shuffling feet being plainly audible. It was clear to Keith that they must take the chance of a noise, aud no better ti ne than this could be chosen. "Here. Neb. take bold with me, and bear down?put your wh<*!e weight on it, boy." The two flung themselves upon the end of the bench, leaping up and down so as to add weight to power. Some? thing had to give, either the stout wood of their improvised lever or else the holding of the plank. For an ln Etant it seemed likely to be the for? mer; then, with a shrill screech, the long spikes yielded and the board suddenly gave. With shoulders In? serted beneath, tho two men heaved it still higher, ramming the bench be? low so as to leave the opening clear. This was now sufficiently ample for tho passage of a man's body, and Keith, lowering himself, discovered the earth to bo fully four feet below. The negro Instantly Joined him, and they began creeping about in the dark? ness, seeking some way out A rudely laid foundation Of limestone along ob structed their i atcb to tho open sir. This bad been laid in mortar, but of mf. rior quality, so that little difficulty wai cxi rlenced in detaching suffi ci nt to obtain hand bold Working f ? ntly. not knowing What watchers : i ;\\t be already stationed without they succeeded In loosening enough of the rock to allow them to crawl through, lying breathless in the open. Accustomed sa thes ware to the Continued ?>n page s.' en.