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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (June 10, 1900)
20 THE OMATTA DAILY "BEE: SUNDAY", JUNE 10, 1000. V I Srnoil f I'rcrvilliiK rimptrra, I'lvo years before the outbreak of the rlvll war love of ndventure, hatred i sdavery nml the nYlri ') help my friend, George Wesner, led inc. Chnrlcs liradley. a civil engineer of Attakupas county, I.oui-d-una, to become an iijccnt of the under Rround railroad Wesner had been nursed throiiKli tlio tnalli'-x by a yonnif slave, l.ticy, belonging to the C'overley ulantatlon. Ho discovered farts which proved that l.ticy was white ami of good family. A secret lovo tn.-itrh followed, which pro pressed well until Covetley proposed to sell jiurv to his son and refused to ell hor to nny one else. Werner became desiierate. 1 agreed to help him steal I.nry and went to New Vorl to arrange with the nl Mavery society for the are of any sluves we could hrliiB from the north. We ar range our end of the imdcrxround railway tind estnbllsli ,i refuse at my wood yard several miles up the river. At lioino we divert suspicion by currying on a general merchandise business. Wesner makes the first venture and starts with ten of ( ov erly s slaves, Including l.ucy. He takes them through successfully, delivers hem to the agent In New York and places l.ucy In school In Andover. In the second ven ture wo encounter more adventure, bill lln.illv succeed In shipping seventy-thri'P t'-ives north by sea along with a caw of cotton The following spring wo collect another lot at the rendezvous, and "rr takes them north to Cairo over the old route. I.uey Is recognized by a south erner In Hoston and Is betrayed. Mean lime IMerce, a friend of Wesner H, hears of the warrant for Lucy's arrest, and he starts out to wnw. her. Pierce and Lucy are overtaken, and the sheriff, f.regg. e arts back to Louisiana with wuc u train. Pierre telesiaphs the ngents at Cairo. Wfsner Is there, and. aided bv the Cromwells, he boards the train at a fetation a few miles north and rescues lur. (Copyright, Iffio, by" S. S. MoClure Co.) CIIAPTHII MV. 'At fi o'clock Cromwell called Wesner and Olllott. "Up, hoys, up! Let us fix and be off. Hob will cut the telegraph wire live minutes before train time. Our ntchcs arc on railroad time, so thero can bo no mis take." , , , Wesner was on his feet In an Instant. Gillott was also up. but It was arranged that lio should remain at tlio house Four men -were) all that ucro required, besldei Hob Cromwell, who was to cut tin. telegraph wire. This was an operation easily per formed. The wtro was simply cut with a pair of plyers, a fow fost of tow string being substituted, and the thing was done. Hob knew how, for he had been thoro be i v,nm f'Mimuvll'a there started a lino pair of horses attached to a spring wagon. Thoro was a barrel anil some boxes on the wagon. Tho occupants drove northcuH until they reached tho main rotd, and then turned , toward the station. This wagon was driven j by a stalwart negro, anotner occupied Brat besldo him. About an hour later two horsemen roJi. out of the gate, the one a blg-whlskerud, red-hcaded fellow of about Blx feet two or three Inches; tho other was our friend Wesner. thoroughly made up us n Hoosicr cattle driver. His best friend would not have known hlra. Ills pistol was handy. The old man Cromwell planned tho rescue, and It was he with Wesner. "Now, George," said he, "tho boys (Hiram and "William Cromwell) will get thoro first with tho barrels and boxes. They aro gotten up bo tho devil won't know them. The horses aro stained, and tho wagon was colored ovor last night. Those barrels are directed to somo firm In Now Orleans, freight paid to Cairo. Do you see. my boy? They will bother tho station agent. You enter the first car. Have your pistol ready. I will follow. Tho girl won't know you. You will know her. Tell her to break for the plat form. I will take care of the marshal and policeman. If they shoot, wing 'em. It's a oulck marshal who gets tho drop on you." Tho Btart was well timed and as Wcemcr nml Cromwell reached tho station tho train was in sight Tho wagon was backed up to the platform, unloaded and tho boys were haggling with tho station agent about tho freight. .. .,, ... ,.i, "Wesner," said Cromwell, "don't hitch your horse. Oct oil and leave him. Ho will know what to do." Iloth men woro on' the platform. Tho train Wowed up. Wcsnor recognized Lucy's faco at tho window, tho fourth seat from tlio door. ' , . , ... ily God!" he whispered, "there she is! "Keep cool, keep cool, don't hurry," cried Cromwell. "They must stop here ten or llftcen minutes, it know tho conductor. 3Io won't hold this train nn Instant for nil tho niggers south of iMason' and Dixon 8 ll,Meantlmo the boy had unloaded their barrels and taken receipts In tho namo of some porson thirty miles away. "Time Is up-nowP cried tho old man Cromwell, "do!" Wesner sprans to tho open door and en tered tho car. "Lucy," ho shouted. Sho recognized his voice and tried to arise, but tho shackles prevented her. She rank b.ick. "Uun, run to tho platform," Wcsnor re peated. , , , . "I cannot." sho replied. "I am chained to tho seat." Revolvers wero out. women shrieked, mon shouted, "Train robbers," and contusion reigned, no ono eemlne to realize the trouble Gregg did. His revolvor came from Its belt, and calling to Shaughnessy to as tint him, ho sprang toward Wesner. Too lato beforo he. could raise his hand a ball from Wesner's weapon nhattered the stock and passing through hist arm burled Itself In the side of tho car. Oregg dropped back, but not heeding tho wound, was on his feet in nn Instant and again In the aisle. Tho old man Cromwell met him with a blow that would huvo felled an ox, nnd ho sank in n heap ou tho iloor of the car. Shaugh uosjy as this moment failed Oregg, although ho mado u half-hearted attempt to arrest "Wesner. 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"I want thin girl, nnd d n you, I will shoot any man In this car that at tempts to prevent It." Ono wrench at the seat In front of Lucy and Wesner toro It from Its f.iHtenlngs. An other Instant sho was In his arms, with the broken castings of tho footrest dangling from her nnklcs nnd In full view of tho pas scngcra Wesner dashed aerosa tho platform to tho car, cloudy followed by the old man Cromwell, who paused Just long enough on tho way to knock down a big hoosicr who thought to stop him. He brought Yegg's revolver with him, remarking that he felt safer with It In his possession than If he had left It with the marshal. "Train ready all nbonrd!" It was the conductor's voice. The locomotive gave n few spasmodic coughs, one by one the cars stnrtcd and nlowly crawled out of tho sta tion. Oregg and ShaughncHsy lay where Crom well left them. Lucy was hurried Into tho cart and whirled northward at the rate of ten miles an hour, whllo tho old man Cromwell knelt at her feet and Med away at tho shackles. Tho deed wns dotH'-Covcrlcy's Lucy was again a free womnn. The road was smooth, the horses fresh and tbo day pleaB.int. Tho Cromwell boys grinned through tho color ing on their fnecs and looked llko veritable darkies. This makeup was of no careless character, for their shoulders, ncek and face were stained perfectly. Long experience had rendered them ndeptB at disguises, and Lucy Btippoged them to be the genulno until ono of them spoke to Wesner: "Wasn't that u neat Job, Wesner?" Wesner assented, but the old man, Crom well, wns not so sanguine. "Don't crow, boys, until daylight. We've got to get this girl away from this station, for the marshal Isn't dead, and by night may hover around hero with a posso from Cairo. These In fernal shacklcw are ns hard as a Hint; they are cast steel." "Try tho lock-staple, father," said Hiram. Tho lock Btaplo was tried, and, luckily, -t was Iron. Tho well-tempered illo mado short work of It, and tho shackles wero removed. In nbout two hours they wero at Ctom well's. Tho horses wero taken off, tho water-colored paint washed from the wagon, disguise;! hidden, nnd the old farm houso was simply nn Innocent dwelling. Wewner kept on his disguise, as he In tended to accompany Lucy to Charleston nnd meet Pierce. When tho latter received Wcsner's telegram ho was a little surprised and had about half a mind to keep on to Cairo, but on reflection came to the senslblo conclusion to obey orders, especially as his previous acquaintance with Wesner led hwn to understand that the man was "In danger tried," so ho dropped his own argument and to Charleston went, arriving thero on tho ovenlng of tho rescue. Although not awaro of the proceedings of tho Cromwell party, bo suspected they would be ltnportnnt factors In tho affair, as ho had onco stopped at their place, and had eanio knowledge of their character and gamoness, or, as ho expressed It, "They wero proper sandy." . Ha lingered around Charleston all that day, and began to feel somewhat Impatient and a bit disappointed as two trains passed and no nows. Ah there wero no others until next morn ing, ho had no recourse but to spend tbo night at Charleston and sleep If ho could. Next morning ho was at tho station, hop ing that he might hear something from Wesner. Not wishing to ask questions, ho could only listen for nny goswlp that was flying. But as there were neither peoplo nor goajlp listening availed nothing. CIIAl'TKlt XXV. Gregg lay curled up on tho car floor where ho fell and did not move when tho train started. Tho passengers began to crowd around him. Tho car aisle was packed and tho air was suffocating. The conductor nnd train hands restored order as toon as pos sible! and cleared tho car, opening the doors at cither end. With tho strong draught ot tho fresh morning nlr from tho prairie blow ing over him Gregg began to revive. Somo good Samaritan among the passengers turned a modicum of brandy down his throat and a couple of amateur surgeons staunched tho blood and tied up tho wounded arm. Tho first movement he mado when ho realized where ho was was to turn his eyes toward tho plnco whero Lucy had ben seated. Tho wreck of the seat explained hor absence Ho looked at Shaughnessy. Thero was no light In him. His Injuries woro not very grievous, but he was thor oughly frightened nnd fear had completely paralyzed him. iAs a realizing sense of life took posses sion of htm ho began to shout and call on tho conductor to stop tho train. Gregg began fumbling for his revolver. "It's gone," ho said. Won't some of you shoot that cop; ho Is noisy enough now, but was dumb when wanted. Conductor, whero Is that girl?" 'Couldn't tell, sir. Last time I saw her sho was sevtted In a cart bohlud a pair ot horees and they wero going north at tho rato of twenty miles an hour. Tho cart waa tlenl to them, I guess, as It was keeplng clnsu company. Who wns the girl and who aro you?" "I," (Jregg re-plled, "am a deputy United States marshal for tho southern district of Iiouisinna and that girl was a runaway nigger." "You aro right," said tho conductor, "for If I ever saw a pair of horses run that woo tho pair." "You have your warrant all right," said Shaughncfsy. "Ye-s," replied Gregg. "Then wo will huvo her ngaln." "Yes," Bald Oregg, "wo will deputize you to catch her you aro such a hustler. Con ductor, put him oft at the next station. He may havo tho warrant. I'll never need another one. Won't I bo laughed at whon 1 get back! I won't go back without that girl. I) n that scoundrel who Hhot mo! Hun, Lucy, run! I will know his volco again If I ever hear It. Ho knows tho girl, that chap docs." .Meantime, as Gregg was talking, tho brakeman nnd one of tho lady passengers wero tying up his head, and at last, with the aid of somo borrowed handkerchlofs, tho blood wns staunched and he sat up In tho car. Ills head ached badly, and when he arrived at Cairn ho was obliged to tako his bed anil send for a surgeon, who took a half-dozen stitches in tho cut and wnrned him that It he wished to nvold erysipelas ho must llo still for at least ono week. This Oregg ostensibly accepted as good ad vice, but ho had his plans, which were to hnunt that station tho next day and track tho wagon. Tho next morning ho was In a raging fever. Wesner had contemplated starting Imme diately with Lucy for Charleston, but the anxiety and excitement ot the last few daye had completely pros trated her, and It wus near mid night when they drovo out of Cromwoll'a yurd, Fho was then qulto weak. About 10 o'clock next morning, aa Plcrco was lounging near the hotel, a gentloman, accompanied by nn elderly lady, drovo up to tho station. As they bore no resemblance lo tho porsons whom he expected, he barely noticed them. The gentleman uceompanled the lady Into the waiting room, returned to tbo platform, aai, taking his tobacco and pnpor from hln pocket, commenced to roll a cigarette. Pierce aw him. Ono glnnco was enough. "Heavens, It's Wcsnor. "Sure, It Is Wesner." He walked over to the plat form; tho clgnrctte was rolled and between his lips. "No. It cannot be " Ho stared hlra full In tho face. Just then tho lady steppcl to tho door. "Mr. Pierce, I bellovc." Plcrco knew tho voice. "Thin Is Mr. Wrttner, Mr. Pierce." "(lood God!" cried Pierce. "Lot's get out of Bight of people. This beats me." Wesner smiled. "Well. Lucy," said he, "I think you could go to New Orleans now with perfect safety. j liven Oregg would not recognize you In that rig, bo you will run no risk In returning to lAndover." "How long must sho keep that rig on?" said Pierce. "Until you got her to Wnlbrldge's place. And, above nil, don't let this affair bo known outsldo of that house, If possible." "Hut tho station agent?" "Will never daro tell for his life. His neighbors would hang him. Ho need not know sho was rescued, unless ho bccs It In the papers, nnd then ho will not know who It was. I would llko to settle him, though." "Well," said Pierce, "I will." lAnd ten years after he did whip him nearly to death, nnd then told him who ho was. Lucy and Plerco arrived tit tho Wnlbrldgn WITHOUT CHANGING POSITION WESNKH SENT TWO SHOTS AND houso without further trouble. Thence sho returned to Andovcr. Wiisner, still In disguise, went to Chicago and mndo his debut thero as Ocorgo Wesner, camo back to Cairo, and In a few days took a steamer for New Orleans. CIIAl'TKlt XXVI. Tho steamer Aurora was an old-fashioned, stern-whoel steamboat, tho wheel modeled after tho plan, of an overshot mill wheel, and of lmmenso circumference. ' Sho was nnn nf thn fnstrmt Rtnrn.vhnnlra llnnn lin river, a light draft boat, built for tho Pitts- burg trado nnd tho canal at Louisville Tho lower deck contained tho engine and boilers. Abaft tho boilers was a tier of bunks for the dock passongers and negro slaves In transit. These wero on tho port side, which was further ornamented by a ruinous old cook stove, upon which tho un fortunato passengers were wont to fry their bacon nnd bako tho everlasting cornbread of tho south. Forward of tho boilers was a plnco devoted to the storago of wood, tho balance of tho deck togother with the hold being glvon over to freight. Abovo this nias3 of timber, dirt and machinery wns reared tho tmloon, whero dwelt tho cabin passengers and tho olllcors of tho boat. Abovo this was the pilot house, tho whole structure .being at least thirty feet from tho water, and In boats of larger dimensions even fifty feet. Hero wait also stationed tho helmsman, constantly alert to watch the shifting channels of tho Mhaieslppl. Iu theso days tho earth had no resting placo for tho poker-playing gambler equal to a Mississippi steamer. On theso boats ho made hla home, and the constant stream of travel furnished plenty of unsophisticated victims, with moro money than wit, from whom ho could "strip tho cuticle," and It was usually thoroughly done. Upon this trip tho Aurora appeared to havo outdono 'herself. Wesner sauntered about tho boat. but saw no man whoso faco ho recognized or whoso acquaintance ho could claim. By this tlmo tho lamps wero lighted and tho poker gamo was In full blast. Seated around the tablo wero three mon; ono a big, brawny chap, coarse, but shrewd look ing, tho othor two Wesner had noticed quite particularly before. That they wero gamblers was evident, hut ho also thought thoy wero doing a llttlo business In tho oolor line. Theso two, Westior saw at a glance, wero skinning tho othor chap, who about every flvo minutes would repeat; "I am a flatboat boy, and nover played poker before." Wesner caught hla eye. Thero was a twlnklo that caused him to watch tho gamo. It was Flatboat's deal. Ho took tho cards, laid them carofully on tho table, whipped a 15-Inch bowio from his bootleg and at ono stroke cut tho corner ot tho pack through and scattered them on tho floor, "Now, ( Mr. Clerk, another pack, If you please; horo Is yor money." Ho tossed the clerk a dol lar, ns ho bought tho pack. "Onco around, gentlomon, Is enough; I never play poker, my oycslght Is poor nnd I can't see marked carels. What yer do? Hot $20 do yer? I'll ralso yor $20; $100. Hero's another. Let's seo yer koords. Threo queens a bluff I thought bo. Straight flush mine. I'll tako that pile," and ho raked It In, remarking: "I ara a poor flatboatman and ijon't play poker, but i am a liberal cuss, and when I do play uso i now cards every hand round. What! Don't want to coniinuo tne gnmoj i iiiougni so. and tho proposed victim aroso from tho table $500 ahead. Tho chagrined gamhlors adjourned to tho upper deck. Wesner was there, smoking his evening eigarotto. Tho two gamblers seated thomsolves next to him and began conversation. At tho llrst words Georgo was all attention, for their conversation was In tho Acadian French dialect and stamped them ns from tho Attakapas country. Wesner llstoned, for ho was as woll ac quainted with that Idiom as with his own language. Ouo of them addressed him In Acadian. Wcsnor gave no heed, but con tinued to look nt tho scenery. "Our frlond Is deaf," tho other said In French. Still Wesner kept tho same unlntorosted, Indifferent look, and watched tho shores as though his wholo llfo dopcndol upon not missing sight of even ono eottonwood treo, "I do not know theso men," hn thought, "but evidently they ar from west of tho Techo, They may know -n.ft. If thpv iln nnt. T shall not in- ' troduco niyeolf, ns I do not want lo make any steamboat acquaintances, especially such 1 p speak 'Acadian. I will watch thorn, for Ithey may bo negro traders as well ns gam- Mora." Wesnor possessed perfect control of himself and stolcilly llxtened t the con versation, which they at first carried on In a low tone, but as they became Interested In tholr own plans, and wer sure thut their only hearer did not understand tbem. their caution was forgotten, nnd they discussed their business freely. A Wesner had surmised, they were negro traders, nnd nleo gamblers. The trading business they kept In the background, be cause the llttlo business they carried on would havo undoubtedly caused them se rious troi'blo should It become generally known, for their stock wns usually stolen In Kentucky nnd run south to some boat landing on tho Mississippi, nnd from thence taken to the New Orleans market nnd sold. A very common form of crime was this at that time. Wesner listened with fierce earnestness, nlert to catch iwcry word that dropped from their lips. "Heavens," thought be, "what consum mnto scoundrels! Why, I am virtue ltse-lt hetddo theso men, and 1 am, under tho law, a thief, for 1 steal niggers, and, gen tlemen, I will Bteal yours." Tho thought Unshed over him that It would bo a flno thing to rob the robbers and make ort with their plunder. About 100 miles below wns n wood yard, known as Atkln's. Hero tho Aurora al wajs wnodeil up, nnd iw there was a good landing, she received passengets and freight. This Wesner knew, n ho had often been up and down on tho Bame buat. Thn country for a number of miles back from tho river nnd beyond was very thinly J innnniteu and mostly witn a poor class of whites. They mado a few bales of cotton and Atkln's wus their shipping point. The wero not suspected of being too honest, and ekevd out a precarious subsistence by hauling wood for Atkln's yard. In tho conversation tho strangers men tinned this landing. Wesnor, stoical as ever, continued to puff away at his cigar otto and listened. Ho learned thero would bo at Atkln's yard, under tho charge of "Muhl Bnbbnge," a local desperado, flvo negroes, thrco men and two women, all stolen from Kentucky hy theao plauslblo scoundrels, run Into the woods and eo creted by Babbagc, and kept until the ex citement Incident to their dlsapptviranco had subsided, and on this trip of the Au rora they wero to bo taken on. "O, for ono hour of Bradley," thought Georgo, "ono llttlo hour out of tho day, and those chaps might havo all they could gel out of tho other twenty-three. But, gen tlemen, I must havo your niggers, and that means fight. They aro going back to Ken tucky, If not farthor; meantime, as tilts' wagon won't get to Atkln'a before S o'clock tomorrow morning and not then It the fog sets In, I will retire to my stateroom nnd sleep a little," nnd, throwing his clgaretto overboard, ho pauntorcd to his room nnd prepared to rest. Morning came, and as tho night beforo gavo promise, It was dark and foggy, Wes ner found tho steamer with steam down, tied alongside tho east bank ot the river. Asking tho pilot the-lr whereabouts, he ascer talned that they wero about seventy-five mile's below Memphis and twenty-flvo from Atkins landing. Acer breakfast, ns the fog showed signs of lifting, tho furnace was filled and steam raised so that the boat could be readily handled. Sho began to feol her way slowly along tho river, whllo tho fog was yet so denso that It was Impenetrablo a hoat's length 'beyond her stern. The bell rang continually, and ab short Intervals tho grum sound of tho stoam whistle ochoed through tho trees and 'btiKhca that hung dripping over tho river bank. There was Imminent danger of running down somo drifting flatboat, as such craft wero numer ous, or colliding with an upbound steamer. Tho river was fearfully high and tho cur rent four miles an hour. Tho rush of tho current, however, was partially coun teracted by tho backwater motion of tho wheels of tho steamer, so thnt probably a speed of threo tnllcs wns all she wns mov ing under. Suddenly, as tho boat, still hugging tho eastern bank, rounded a bend In tho river, thero loomed tip a black, misshapen maw, nn undefined mlxturo of fog and steamboat, from which broko forth n succession of such shrieks as nothing but a Mississippi steamer whlstlo could give. In an instant tho breakfast tablo was deserted, nnd the ox clted passengers rushed out of the saloon Just In tlmo to seo tho steamer Vldalla, not moro than twenty foot from the Aurora. It was close, but thanks to tho caution of both cnptalns tho danger was past, and they slowly drifted by each other, not threa feet npart. Soon afteir tfho fog lifted sufficiently to onablo tho Bteamcr to mako a fair rato ot speed and about 10 o'clock It drew near Atkln's landing. Tho pilot ran Its stem against tho bank, nnd, as it would stay thero somo tlmo, let Its storn swing gradu ally with tho current, until It lay alongside, with its bow pointing up river and its guarda hugging tho shore. Tho gamblers stood on tho uppor deck, watching tho shoro and occasionally ex changing a fnw words. Wesner passed down tho stairs to tho freight deck and when tho boat touched Mio shoro stoppod on tho bank. Ho had matured his plans and was ready for action. Ho knew ho was alone, but now tho devil In him was nroufcd, for, huddled besldo a largo pllo of eordwnod, woro flvo of the moat forlorn, starved-looklng ncgroes ho had ever seen, and ho hnd seen many. From tho dirty and unkempt rage that partially covered them thn ruolsturo from tho fog dripped In big drops. Tho women had evidently been crying, nnd tho men, shackled together, stood mute nnd sullen. They wero travel-stained, looked weary and woro well plastered with yellow mud. Benlde them stood Babbago, At sight of him Wesner was a llttlo disconcerted, for ho recognized In him tho stranger I had wounded the night wn ran off tho Flllmoro's cargo. Then ho was no. known as Muhl Babbago, but he probably had a new nllas whenever neces sary, to avoid thn sheriff, Taking In thei situation, Wesner ap proached Babbagn and looked him over ua If ho meditated purchasing htm, Theman appeared III nt eao and glanced at tho steamer. "Theso negroes for sale?" Inquired Wes ner. "They nln't mine, stranger." (Just her Babbago caught sight of ionics.) "Ther'.i tho gentlemen aa owns 'em," he replied, and, leaving his charge, he walked toward tho boat. Wesner hurrlelly asked one of the mvtroes: "Old this man buy you?" "No," was tho answer. "Whom do you belong to?" "James Wilson, Floyd county, Ken tucky." This was spoken low and quick. Wer ner sauntered toward tho steamer. Somcfl and Jules had changed their position and wero standing at the head of the gang way plank ready to walk ashore. The cap tain of tho Aurora was leaning over the rail on tho main deck, and the mate, radi ating between the woodpile nnd the steamer, alternately praised the deck hands, who were lugging wood on board, or cursed them vigorously because they loaded light and wero slow. Others of tho crew were load ing a few cotton bales at tho side plank, nnd, with shouting, swearing and run ning, business was lively. As Somes stepped nshore Wesner drew back perhaps twenty feet and llrst spoke to him: "Whero did you steal those niggers?" Somes started, stared around and did not at llrst comprehend who spoke to him. Then camo the question, loud nnd distinct: "Whoso niggers aro these, and whero did you steal them?" "Somes reached for his pistol. Instantly Wesner had him covered. "Wink, and you are a dead man." "Captain," cried Wesner, "thoso two men I3ABI3AGE STRUCK THE GKOUND. aro negro thieves. Thoso negroes, stand ing there, were stolen from James Wilson. Floyd county, Kentucky. They aro taklns them to New Orleans to market." "You lie," Interrupted Somes. Wesner eyed him steadily ?nd replied In Acadian. "Mon dlou," exclaimed Somes, "why did I talk!" Jules now Joined Somes, and at Wcs ner's remark drew his pistol. Instantly shifting his aim from Somes to Jules Wes ner llred. Somes sprang back to tho steamer, drawing his own pistol ns ho ran; Wesner sent a bullet after him, strik ing his arm near the elbow. The two shots wero In quick succession. Babbage, who appeared like ono dazed, cried out as Jules was hit: "By , tho man shoots with his gun lock filed who Is ho?" Wesner, with his eyes still fixed upon Somes and keeping him under tho muzzle of his pistol, continued to talk to the captain of tho Aurora. "Captain, these two men, Jules and Somes, havo stolen theso negroes. Bab bago brought them from Kentucky." Babbago was standing nbout thirty feet from Wesner, but at tho llrst shot he ran back to tho nogroes, to protect them. Ho showed no Inclination to take part In tli? fray. At the mention of his own name ho seemed to realize that ho was a factor In tho scrimmage. He know vory wed that Judgo Lynch hold court on both banka of the Mississippi and negro stealing was a hanging crlrau. Ho was a ready man with his gun, and without a moment's hesitation he fired at Wesner, whoso sldo was exposed to his aim, Tho bullet plowed through Wesner's shoulder, 1 niak.ng a deep flesh wound. Without changing position, Wesner sent two shots In ex change, In such rapid Buccefslon that Bab bago struck tbo ground, with two caliber 3Ss In his body. Tho wholo affair, from tho first shot until tbo last, had not occupied more than threo minutes, and by that time, especially as tho danger was ovor, the passengers began to recover from their panic and tho gontlomtin gathered around Wesner, who explained to them why ho had mlstrustod theso men, and also that ho had under stood their conversation, although In .Acadian, and had determined to rescue tho negroes. "Now, gentlemen, I am your prisoner. Turn mo over to tho first sheriff, It you wish, or bring these men to trial." Men on tho Mississippi wero not arrested In thoso heroic days for deeds llko this, and Goorgo was tho lion of tho day. Somes and Jules worn tried nnd sent to Baton Ilougo, whero thoy perished whoa tho prison was humed. Tho negroes woro sent back to Floyd county, but they never got thero, for Wcs nor left tho boat at thn next landing, went back to Memphis, Intercepted thorn, and In forty days from tho day of tho fight they woro safe In Canada, and tho money for thorn was in our hands. CII.M'TKll XXVII. Our next vonturo was without Inci dctnt 'worth relating. I went through with night, taking only one canoe. It was lato in July before wo started. Tho wmther was vory dry, tho watT low, and It was difficult to get tho canoo through homo of tho shoal placet). Whllo In New York Kntwisftlo read mo portions nf u Intter from Shrovoport, La. In that letter the writer denounced tho Institution of Hln very very bitterly nnd urged an orgnnlzed system of raids idniilar to tho onu wo woro pursuing. Ho wn a southern man and spoko of tho mysterious disappearance" of tho negroes from Attn kapas, but doubted that they had gono north. III theory wan that they wero stolen nnd wild In Cuba, bIuvos at that tlmo bring ing very good prices there. In this theory ho was not alone, I had heard tho samu theory advanced beforo and had encouraged It nil I dared. Kntwlsslo's Idea was for me to go home by way of Shroveport. find the writer of tho letters and seo what chance thoro was ot suoceaaful operation. This letter wns unsigned and the only cluo to Its author was to direct to box 91, Shreveport, La. "This," I rcpllel, "admltH of two con clusions. It Is either a 'slmon pure' letter or the man who penned It suspects thut jour anti-slavery society Is tho Instigator of thesn raids. If tho lust, ho will wait for your answer. If tho former, and ho In In earnest, you will hear from him ugaln, t fviHmr wrltn hlin thut. vnll nrp. nnt. rlolilL' business that ny. 1 will get ready to start about tho tlmo you should reoolvo your answer.'' Hutwl'elo wrote as 1 reeiuestcd aud lu about t"ti days received an answer, It was very phllunthroplc. The writer eleplorod th BABY'S BIRTH can be entirely avoided by the use Sold by nil druggists at one dollar bottle A booklet, giving nil dctntis, will sent free by Dradficle 1 Regulator Company, Atlanta, ua. ONLY $5.00 A MONTH. I am a REGULAR GRADUATE of two MEDICAL COLLEGES, My entire professional lifo has been that of a SPECIALIST ' PRIVATE DISEASES and DISORDERS of MEN. Ten years in Omaha. ELECTRICITY and MEDICAL TREATMENT combined in all cases where it is advisable. Varicocele. Stricture, Syphilis, in all its stages, Loss of Vigor and vftalitv, caused from abuso or excesses. Weakness and Disorders of !il,Se.La!lt!.Dladder cured' and heal,h and v'Sr and ambition fullv restored. CURliS GUARANTEED in all curable cases $5.00 A MONTH 25!FA.CUARANTEED- CHARCES LOW. HOME TREATMENT. Consultation and Examination FREE. DR. SEARLES & SEARLES, U&aM!!;: 19,846 MEN Startling Record Dlaiolves Stricture like .now beneath the sua, reduce! ENLARGED PROSTATE, contracts and strentthens the Seminal Duct, forever stopping Drains and Cmlsilons No Drugs to Ruin the Stomach, but a Direct, Local and Positive Application to tho Entlro Urethral Tract. "r A 'pVT r V X7I-,'IVT'T, Diient.reil lij tli. Climit rubrton. It qiiloklr lut.r I 1 1 Z IXJ S I I PlV I ted th srt Sclrnll.t and l'hy.lclii, Krduian, who '-V.4 mA T awl a rievolotwd It and prorLlmiM that mnnrlouii action la la the Wonder of the Ontury. all competitor tvnd lecursd eicluilia control on tho Shouinf Stricture Granules dissolved on the eighth night. life- 44141 10 . 1 1 . , v tn the form of Crayons or Poneils, smooth and flexible, and so narrow an to pass the closest Stricture. LtaVaaVaaMMSl Showing the diamrler ef the St.Jamet Ctavons, eomfiotrd xf the solvent "Gran-Solvent." THEY ARE PREPARED J.W VARrOUS LENGTHS TO SUIT THE PA TIRftTS CONDITION, art in ter ltd into the uretit al canal ufon tetirxnt atnxght, We have prepared a valuable work, profusely Illustrated, showing the various parts of the system Involved In Urethral diseases, which wo will send securely wrapped In plain package, prepaid, to any applicant Every sufferer from Stricture and Its offspring Prostatitis and Seminal Weakneas, skoulj read thia woaderful work. Vfe preserve absolute secrecy and never expose a patient's name. St. James Association, 62 Vine St., Cincinnati, 0. exlmenco of the Institution nnd his abuso of tho slaveholder was as vituperative as ungrammatlcal and was too zealous to be genuine. I suggested to Entwlsslo that I got a few dan' start toward Shroveport and that bo write) to box 91, enclosing his letter In a fancy envelope, an I could dotect It at a glance In the box. He did oh I desired. I Immediately pro ceeded to Shorevport, disguised as a drum mer, selling goodn for a big patent medicine concern In Now York. Kntwlsslo had mado tho arrangements and If I sold any goods thuy wero to forward them and also ac knowledge me as their agent, for 1 nover knowingly left any I10.03 for suspicion. Knt wlsslo was to write- me by tho uamo mail that carried tho letters to box 91. I had bron In Shrevcport a fow days, and had really fold quite, a bill of goods to tho drug store, und had seen tho proprietor of box 91. Tho mall at that tlmo arrived dally by steamer, and generally about 3 o'clock p. m., and as I was always on tho lockout for tho mall boat, I never mlsse.1 being at tho postolllco and watching my man. Ho was a difficult plcco of humanity to pronouueo upon, and my opinion was divided as to his being a Methodist preacher on circuit or a gambler on a vacation. I Dually decided ho wan a "paahnboard" banker. Ills countenanco was pleasant, yet ho had a cool, determined look about him that nhoneil ho was no child lo deal with, anil I was fully awaro that 1 must proccod with rnu tlon If I would ascertain his object and vlovvs without exciting suspicions. Thoro wero boxes In tho postofllce In Shroveport numbered up to IfiO. Theso boxes had glass fronts, nnd letters could 1m plainly seen 1 from tho hall, but as thoy were usually put' Into the boxes Hat, It was dlfllcult to soo tho address. j At length my patience was rewarded, auct I caught tho nddrefH, "Mr. Alvln IlnUhnm, Shroveport." Now, Mr. Heatham, who aro ( you? My curiosity was soon satlsllod, for I found Mr. Ileatham was a small planter, sometimes a slave hunter, something of a gambler, nnd at presont deputy sheriff for , tho Shrevcport district. My next move was to mako his acquaintance, for I had no doubt that ho scented tho Attakapas busi ness through tho shooting at Whllo river, or elso from rumorB or Information from below. How to ascertain moro was another thing. I could stay thero but a fow days without attracting notice, especially If I loafed around the pcstofTlcn, I was on the hotel books as J. I. Macom bor. and letters were, of course, directed to that namo. Envelopes that I received wero all 0. K.. my drug house ad on Iho face, all honest nnd square. Ono day I saw Ileatham talking to a strungor, a tall, solid-looking chap In th neighborhood of 40 years of age. Not liking his looks, I came to tho conclusion that that Infernal Whllo river affair had been exploded and would ruin us, should w ! impeded. I knew doors was making up Is looked forvrartl to with p.xpectatlons of joy nml gladness. The ordenl of bringing the little one into the world, however, is a critical one for the mother-to-be, and her nuticipations of the coming event nre shadowed with gloom. Half the naiti nnd nil the dantrerof child-birth of " MOTiiiiR'S 1'RiiiNi)," a scientific cr MUWM g HI be FRIEND STRICTURED, Weak, Wasting, Despondent CURED LAST YEAR. of "GranSolvent." IN 15 DAYS Urethral Allmriim Mlilch rlnclrtfl.d thn world. At enormous fxi.enu Dr 1' J e'urtpr nutjitrlDn.d Weitarn Continent lor the 9t Jainen Annociation. ine firem Tiriue in tun uirinoa 01 uppncation is im direct anu poaltlv action. No tile, draitlo drug tn ruin the nlmnach and dl Keatlte Mtm The Crayoni lire Innertrd upon retiring at nlulit, dlMoMnc kr tho heat and tccrrtlona of the tody lu three Ijmiri, which I' ufflclent time to ponetrale and dlnolto Btrklure, thor ough! medicating the Prostate Gland, rcdnclne enlargement and enntraetine the Seminal Elacnlatorr Ducti. lore-ear aluppluii Drxlit. and Knilealone, curing while you tte.p without pain or Inconvenience. The alterative ami antl reptlc action of "(Iran-Solvent" nii'rti Itealf Iti drutrovlnzGonocucci and the germi that lufeit the Bladder aDd I'loBtate Gland. During the iat roar l'J,4 v-eak, atrictured, watting wrecki hare been cured-I9.MI! men horn again to tieglu life anew with freph vigor, full nf etrnngth and the connclnuineuR of lentured man hood. Under tho Inllueuco of thla sovereign eolvent Snicture I. Ultiolred and dlvlodgod in la du)f, no mutter how old, tough or calloused It han heroine. Vrom time Immemorial, cutting nnd dilating have tilled up the brutal, fruitteiH record nf treatment In Stricture, and )et there hai never been out cure by euch navago methodi. The eaKernena with which medical man are applying for thU nolvrnt la an open confei Ion ot their error In the peat. Over soo Irmllnp; pli.talrlana in the United Statflu nud Canada havo ahoudened th. knife and are employing Gran-Solvent In their practice aa a humane aud unfail ing agent. Varicocele. Varicocele U an accumulation of aliissWh Mood In th.v.lnnof the Scrotum, due solely to Imperfect circulation, aad hat lu origin in a diseased and torpid I'rostute Gland Iterations In this disease are only temporary, and no nierlinnlcal device yst discovered has cured a siuglo case Itestoro the Trustate. restoro healthy circula tion, Varicocele disappears and the sluggish accumulation Is re placed by pure, healthy, rod blood. RA?f.sOI,VKJT IS NOT A T.TQIJIi.n Is irerared and sup tniofosmon mitnotit the sitcntesi ejjort. FR1S1.! another lot for tbo same route, and about roady to start. Mason and Obed were both In Attakapas. How many negroes they had hidden away I did not know, but I must get word to (leorgo before thoy wero off. Not daring to risk a letter, my only courss was to go to Now Iberia. Next day I took tho steamer. On ths way down I romombcred that It was nec essary for George to visit Now Orleans be foro leaving for tho north, and as It would causo mo but llttlo delay, concluded to go thero also. I usually stopped ut a small hotel In Lafayetto and Cleorgo at tho St. Charles. Ah my object was to see him, I went to tho St. Charles. As I loft tho carriage to my great sur prise and Joy ho was standing on the hotel Kteps, watching tho now comers and smok ing. "Olnd lo seo you, Charlie, but what evil omen sent you? Did you know I was here?" "No, I didn't," I replied, "but as I wantod to boo you 1 came, "Come up to my room no, book your namo llrst, get another room, then como to mine, No. 147, second floor," "I'll bo thero In a fow minutes," I re plied. I booked my name, ordered my lug gago sent lo my room, and after washing nnd combing my hair, called at 117. Georgo was there, waiting. "Porno," he cried, "out with It. Let's know tho worst; you look: nnxlous and un easy." I told him tho story. "Then, there's two," said he. "it's Just as you say, Charlie; It Is tho White Itlvor affair. I was afraid of It, and always knew 1 did wrong nnt to havo killed tho wholo of them Thoy would havo murdered me and sold tho negroes. We'll start tomor row for Shroveport. Thoy know probably that tho party was from bolow. There h quite a stir yet among those mime negroes." "Did you ever find who the parties woro with whom you fought." "Nover! How could I, when I could ask no questions, and such affairs are never published?" Next day, taking a Hod rlvor steamer, In duo tlmo wo woro In Shrovoport, walking toward tho postoltlro. Ileatham nnd tho strangor wero comlns toward tho ofllc from an opposite direction, busily talking nnd nnt noticing tho surroundings, There) was no one In tho olheo corridor but our selves. I saw them and said to Georgs: "Thero thoy go. I.efo walk down th street, meet them and tako ono good look so wo will know them tho next tlmo." Wesner looked up. "Heavens, 1 know ono this time. That's Gregg, tho marshal, from whom I stole I.uey. 1 had tho samo rig on then I havo now." and ho bolted out ot tho opposlto door, disappearing around tho cor ner. I did not move and thero was no tlmo for explanation. Wesner's Hlay In Shroveport was very brief, being limited to the tlmo occupied In traveling from the postofllro to the tain. boat landing. (To Bo Continued.) ueaie ie writ wuaoui i