The Sunday Oregonian., June 10, 1900, PART THREE, Page 30, Image 30

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THE SUM)AY OHEGONIA2T, POKTLAND, JTOE 10, 1900.
30
Synopsis of Preceding Chapters.
(Copyright, 1900, by F. A. Cummlngs)
Five years before the outbreak of the Civil
War, love of adventure, hatred of slavery and
the desire to help my friend, George 'Wcancr,
led me, Charles Bradley, a civil engineer, of
Attakapas County. Louisiana, to become an
ajrent of the undercround railroad. Wesner
had been nursed through the smallpox by a j
young .slave, Lucy, belonging to the Coverley
plantation. He discovered facts which proved J
that Lucy was white and of good family. A ,
secret love match followed, which progressed
veil until Coverley proposed to sell Lucy to .
his ton, and refused to sell her to anyone else.
Wesner became desperate. I agreed to help
him steal Lucy, and went to New Tork to ar
range with the antl-slaiery society for the
care of any slave we could bring North. "VVc
arranged our end of the underground rallwaj.
with my woodyard. several miles up the river,
as the main station and hiding-place. At home
we set up a general merchandise store to avoid
suspicion. "Wcsner makes the first venture, and
starts North with 10 of Coverley's slaves, In
cluding Lucy. The venture Is successful. Wcs
ner delivers the slacs to the agents In New
Tork, and places Lucy In school at Andoer.
I take charge of the second raid. Disguised a6
a peddler, I see and arrange with Fomc of the
Raymond negroes for their escape. Dave, their
leader, gathers 73 slaves together, and after
great trouble and many narrow escape we ship
them North by sea along with a cargo of cot
ton. Our total profits on the cargo are $3000.
In the following Spring we plan a third cn
ture. and the Lanman plantation Is our first
objective. "We collect another lot at the ren
dezvous, and Wesner takes them north to Cairo
oer the old route Lucy is recognised by a
Southerner In Massachusetts, and is betrayed.
Meantime Pierce, a friend of Wesner's, hears
of the warrant for Lucy's arrest, and he starts
out to warn her. Pierce and Lucy are over
taken, and the Sheriff, .Gregg, starts back to
Louisiana with Lucy by train. Pierce tele
graphs the agent at Cairo. Wesner Is there,
and, aided by the Cromwells. he boards the
train at a station a few miles north, and res
cues Lucy.
CHAPTER XXIV. (Continued).
The deed was done Coverly's Lucy was
again a free woman. The road was smooth,
the horses fresh and the day pleasant.
The Cromwell boys grinned through the
coloring on their faces, and looked like
veritable darkies. This make-up was of
no careless character, for their shoulders,
neck and faces were stained perfectly.
Long experience had rendered them adepts
at disguises, and Lucy bUpposed them to
be the genuine until one of them spoke
to "Werner.
"Wasn't that a neat job. Wesner?"
"Wesner afented, but the old man Crom
well was not so sanguine. "Don't crow,
boys, until daylight. We've got to get
this girl away from this station, for that
Marshal Isn't dead, and by night may
Lover around here with a posse from Cairo.
These infernal shackles are as hard as
f'ml; they are cast-steel.
"Try the lock-staple, father." said Hi
ram. The lock-staple was tried, and, luckily,
it was iron. The well-tempered file made
bhoit work of it and the shackles were
removed.
I:, about two hours they were at Crom
well &. The horse? were taken off, the
water-colored nalnt washed from the
wagon, disguises hidden, and the old farm
hrusc wah simply an innocent dwelling.
Wesner kept on his disguise, as he In
tended to accompany Lucy to Charleston
and meet Pierce. When the latter received
"Wesner's telegram he was a little sur
pi ised, and had about half a mind to keep
oi: to Cairo, but. on reflection, came to the
fcensible conclusion to obey orders, es
pecially as his previous acquaintance with
"Wesner led him to understand that the
man was "in danger tried," so he dropped
his own argument and to Charleston vvent,
arriving there on the evening of the re&cue.
Although not awure of the proceedings
of the Cromwell party, he suspected they
would be Important factors In the affair,
as he had once stopped at their place, and
had some knowledge of their character and
gameness, or, as he expressed It, "They
were proper sandy."
He lingered around Charleston all that
day. and began to feel somewhat Impatient
and a bit disappointed as two trains passed
and no news.
As there were no others until next morn
ing, he had no recourse but to spend the
night at Charleston, and sleep if lie cou d.
Next morning he was at the station, hop
ing that he mlht hear something from
"Wcancr. Not wishing to ask questions,
he could only lbten for any gotsip that
was flying. But as there were neither
people nor gossip, listening availed noth
ing. CHAPTER XXV.
Gregg lay curled up on the car floor
whore he fell, and did not move when the
train started. The passengers began to
crowd around him. The car ai-le was
pttMced. and the air was suffocating. The
conductor and train hands restored order
as soon as possible and cleared the car,
opening the doors at either end. With the
strong draught of the fresh morning air
from the prairie blowing over him. Gregg
began to revive. Some rood Samaritan
among the passengers turned a modicum
of brandy down his throat, and a couple
of amateur sugeons stanched the blood and
tied up the wounded arm.
The first movement he made when he
realized where he was was to turn his
eyes toward the place where Lucy had
been seated. The wreck of the seat ex
plained her absence. He looked at Shaugh
nessy. There was no fight In him. His
Injuries were not very grievous, but he was
thoroughly frightened, and fear had com
pletely pnralyzed him.
As a realizlnz sense of life took posses
sion of him. he began to shout and call
on the conductor to stop the train.
Gresrg began fumbling for his revolver.
"It's gone," he said. "Won't some of
you shoot that cop; he Is noisy enough
now. but was dumb when wanted. Con-'
ductor. wheie Is that girl?"
"Couldn't tell. sir. Last time I saw her
she was seated in a cart behind a pair ot
horses, and they were going north at the
rate of S) miles an hour. The cart was
tied to them. I guers, as It was keeping
close company. "Who was the girl and
who are ou?"
"I." Gregg replied, "am a Deputy United
States Marshal for the southern district
of Loulsinana. and that girl was a run
away nigger."
"You are right." said the conductor, "for
If I ever saw a pair of horses run, that
was the pair."
"You have your warrant all right," iaid
Shaughnessy.
"Yes," replied Gregg.
"Then we'll have her again."
"Yes," said Gregg," "we will deputize
you to catch her you are such a hustler.
Conductor, put him off at the next sta
tion. He may have the warrant. I'll
never need another one. Won't 1 be laughed
at when 1 get back! I won't go back witn
out that girl. D n that scoundrel who
shot mo! "Run. Lucy, run!' I will know jiIs
voice again. If I ever hear it. He knows
that girl, that chap does."
Meantime as Gregg was talking, the
brakeman and one of tho lady passengers
wore tying up his head, and at last, with
the aid of some borrowed handkerchiefs,
the blood was stanched and he sat up In
the car. His head ached badly, and when
he arrived at Cairo, he was obliged to
take his bed and send for a surgeon, who
took half a dozen stitches in the cut, and
warned him that If he wished to avoid
erysipelas be must He still for at least
one week. This Gregg ostensibly accept
ed as good advice, but he had his plans,
which were to haunt that station the next
day and track the wagon. The next morn
ing he was in a raging fever.
Wesner had contemplated starting Im
mediately with Lucy for Charleston, but
the anxiety and excitement of the last few
days bad completely prostrated her, and
It was near midnight when they drove out
of Cromwell's yard. She was then quite
weak.
About 10 o'clock next morning, as Pierce
was lounging near the hotel, a gentleman,
accompanied by an elderly lady, drove up
to the station. As they bore no resem
blance to tho persons whom he expected,
he barely noticed them. The gentleman
accompanied the lady Into the waiting
room, returned to the platform, and. tak
ing his tobacco and paper from his pocket,
commenced to roll a cigarette. PIecc
,saw him. One glance was enough. "Heav
ens. It's Wesner. "Sure. It Is wesner.
He walked over to the platform; the
cigarette was rolled and between his Up
"No, It cannot be."
He stared him full in tho face.
Just then the lady stepped to the door.
"Mr. Pierce, I believe," Pierce knev the
voice.
"This is Mr. "Wesner, Mr. Pierce."
"Good God!" cried Pierce. "Let's get
out of sight of people. This beatr me."
Wesner smiled.
'"Well, Lucy," said he, "I think you could
go to New Orleans now with perfect safety.
Even Gregg would not recognize you In
that rig, so you will run no risk la return
ing to Andover."
"How long must she keep that rig on?"
said Pierce.
"Until you get her to "Waldbrtdge's place
And, above all, don't let this affair be
known outside of that house, If possible.
"But the station agent?"
VI11 never dare tell for his life. His
neighbors would hang him. He need not
know she was rescued, unless he sees It
In the papers, and then he will not know
who It was. I would like to settle him,
though."
"Well," said Pierce. "I will."
And 10 years after he did whip him near
ly to death, and then told him who be was.
Lucy and Pierce arrived at the Wal
bridge house without further trouble.
Thence she returned to Andover.
"Wesner, still In disguise, went to Chi
cago, and made his debut there as Georg
"Wesner. came back to Cairo, and In a fefl
days took c steamer for New Orleans.
CHAPTER XXVI.
The steamer Aurora, was an old-fashioned,
stern-wheel steamboat, the wheel
modeled after the plan of an overs-hot
mill wheel, and of Immense circumference-
She was one of the fastest stern
wheelers upon the river, a light draft
boat, built for the Pitts-burg trade and
the canal at Louisville. The lower deck
contained the engine and boilers.
Abaft the boilers was a tier
of bunks for the deck passengers and
negro slaves In transit. These were on
the port side, which was further orna
mented by a ruinous old cook stove, up
on which the unfortunate passengers were
wont to fry their bacon and bake the
everlasting cornbread of the South. For
ward of the boilers was a place devoted
to the storage of wood, the balance of
the deck, together with the hold, was
given over to freight. Above this mass
of timber, dirt and machinery, was
reared the saloon, where dwelt the' cabin
passengers and the officers of the boat.
Above this was the pilot house, the
whole structure being at least 30 feet
from the water, and In boats of larger
dimensions even 50 feet. Here was also
stationed the helmsman, constantly alert
to watch the shifting channels of the
MIssisslpppl.
The reader will remember that these
were the halcyon days of the Southwest.
The three great rivers, the Mississippi.
Missouri and Ohio, poured forth the pro
ducts of Immense territory, while the
Red River and Arkansas and scores of
lesser streams bore upon their yellow
waters countless steamers laden with
cotton, sugar and other rich products of
the Lower Mississippi.
Scores of unwIeJdy "broad horns" tied
up at the levees, and the shriek of the
steam whistle and howling music of the
calliope resounded through the streets
and along the rivor front of busy New
Orleans. Slave property was buoyant,
and 100-nlgger planter was an every
day occurrence. This was way back in
the '50c "We 6hall never see the like
again. Many Is the silent tear shed by
those who were there, for "the days be
fore the war."
In these days the earth had no resting
place for the poker-playing gambler
equal to the Mississippi steamer. On
these boats he made his home, and the
constant stream of travel furnished
plenty of unsophisticated victims, with
more money than wit. from whom he
could "strip the cuticle," and it was
usually thoroughly done. Upon this trip
the Aurora appeared to have outdone
herself. "Wesner sauntered about the
boat, but saw no man whose face he
recognized or whese acquaintance he
could claim. Among the deck passen
gers was a guant looking Individual, who
attracted "Wesner's attention and excited
his sympathy. Fever and ague were writ
ten upon every lineament of his sallow
features and shone In his hollow eyes.
A poor, ill-dressed, haggard, querulous
looking woman accompanied him. Gath
ered about them were their family, three
big deerhounds. Their household utensils
and furniture three deerskin-bottomed
chairs, wash basin, frying pan and ket
tle, were piled beside them. A couple of
gray blankets occupied one of the bunks,
and the man's rifle, powder and tobacco
pouch lay on them. HH hunting knife
was stuck in his belt: this he wore. A
tin dipper and teapot completed their
outfit
"Wesner accosted them.
"Yes. they were poor; had the shakes
in Tennessee, went Into Kentucky,
couldn't get shut of them ther. and were
going back to Tennessee. Had buried
their two children In Kentuck. and were
plum discouraged Jes Hefs die as not'
wished he was a nigger and belonged to
some good man."
"Wesner's ready hand dove into his
pocket and extended a $30 gold piece.
"Here." said he. giving It to tne woman,
"keep this for time of need." and giving
the man $5 more, told them to go on
board the next wharfboat and get what
eatables they wanted. Neither of them
spoke, but they looked their gratitude.
The woman was mixing hoecake in
the washbasin, this culinary feat being
accomplished, she transferred It to the
frying pan and baked It over the stove.
This was thIr supper. The remnants
were given to the bounds, who licked
the pan clean. This cleared away the
table: the work was done. Nothing could
be more economical or convenient, and
It required no very extensive knowledge
of housekeeping.
By this time the lamps were lighted
and -the poker game was in fun blast.
Seated around the table were three men;
one a big, brawny chap, coarse, but
shrewd looking, the other two Wesner
had 'noticed quite particularly before.
That they were gamblers was evident,
but he also thought they were doing a
little business In the color line. These
two. Wesner saw at a glance, were skin
ning the other chap, who about every
five minutes would repeat: "I am a flat
boat boy, and never played poker be
fore." Wesner caught his eye. There was a
twinkle that caused him to watch the
game. It was Flatboat's deal. He took
the cards, laid them carefully on the
table, whipped a 15-Inch bowie from his
bootleg and at one stroke cut the cor
ner of the pack through and scattered
them on the floor. "Now, Mr. Clerk,
another pack. If you please: here Is your
money." He tossed the clerk a dollar as
he bought the pack.
"Once around gentlemen, Is enough; I
never play poker, my eyesight Is poor
and I can't see. marked cards. What
yer do? Bet 520 do yer? Til raise yer 520;
5100. Here's another. Let's see yer
keerds. Three queens a bluff I thought
wsTM
WITHOUT CHANGING POSITION,
so. Straight flush mine. Til take that
pile," and he raked It In. remarking: "I'm
a poor fiatboatman, and don't play poker;
but am a liberal cuss, and when I do play
use new cards every hand round. What!
Don't want to continue the game? 1
thought to," and the proposed victim arose
from the table 5500 ahead.
The enshrined gamblers adjourned to the
upper deck. Wesner was there, smoking
his evening cigarette. The two gamblers
seated themselves next to him and began
conversation. At the first words George
was all attention, for their conversation
was In the Acadian French dialect and
stamped them as from the Attakapas
country.
Wesner listened, for he was as 'well ac
quainted with that Idiom as with his own
language. One of them addressed him In
Acadian. Wesner gave no heed, but con
tinued to look at the scenery.
"Our friend is deaf," the other said in
French.
Still Wesner kept the same uninterested.
Indifferent Took, and watched the shores,
as though his whole life depended upon
not misfeiiig sight of even one cottonwood
tree. "I do not know these men," he
thought; "but evidently they are from
west of the Teche. They may know me;
If they do not I shall not Introduce myself,
as I do not want to make any steamboat
acquaintances, especially such as speak
Acadian. I will watch them, for they may
be negro traders, as well as gamblers.'
Wesner possessed perfect control of him
self, and etolcally listened to the conversa
tion, which they at first carried on in a
low tone, but as they became interested
In their own plans, and were sure that
their only hearer did not understand them,
their caution was forgotten, and they dis
cussed their business freely.
As Wesner bad surmised, they were
negro traders, and also gamblers. The
trading business they kept In the back
ground, because the little business they
carried on would have undoubtedly caused
them serious trouble, should It become
generally known, for their stock was usu
ally stolen In Kentucky and run south to
some boat landing on the Mississippi, and
from thence taken to the New Orleans
market and sold. A very common form of
crime was this at that time.
Wesner listened with fierce earnestness,
alert to catch every word that dropped
from their lips.
"Heavens," thought he. "what consum
mate scoundrels! Why, I am virtue itself
beside these men, and I am. under the
law. a thief for I steal niggers, and. gen
tlemen. I will steal yours."
The thought flashed over him that It
would h,e a fine thing to rob the robber
and make off with their plunder.
About 100 miles below was a wood yard
knows as Atkins. Here the Aurora al
ways wooded up, and as there was a good
landing, she received passengers and
freight. This Wesner knew as he had
often been up and down on the same boat.
The country for a number of miles back
from the river and beyond -vas very thin
ly inhabited, and mostly with a poor class
of whites. They made a few bales ot
cotton, and Atkins was their usual ship
ping polntr They were not suspected of
being too honest, and eked out, a precari
ous subsistence by hauling wood for At
kins' yard.
In the conversation, the strangers men
tioned this landing. Wesner, stoical as
ever, continued to puff away at his cigar
ette and listened. He learned there would
be at Atkins' yard, under the charge of
"Muhl Babbage," a local desperado, five
negroes, three men and two women, all
stolen from Kentucky, by these plausible
scoundrels, run into the woods and secret
ed by Babbage. and kept until the excite
ment Incident to their disappearance hai
subsided, and on this trip of the Aurora
they were to be taken on.
"Oh, for one hour of Bradley." thought
George: "one little hour out of the day,
and these chaps might have all they could
get out of the other 23. But. gentlemen, 1
must have j'our niggers, and that means
fight. They are going back to Kentucky.
If not farther; meantime, as this wagon
won't get to Atkins' before 8 o'clock to
morrow morning, and not. then If the log
sets in, I will retire to my stateroom and
sleep a little." and, throwing his cigarette
overboard, he sauntered to his room and
prepared to rest.
Wesner was well armed and always pre
pared for action. This was before me
tallic cartridges had come into general use.
The revolver was a plenteous and useful
article, but few, except the old-fashioned
percussion cap Colt patent were used.
Wesner owned a pair of the latest make,
metallic cartridge, caliber .38, and could
shoot with lightning-like rapidity, and a
precision- perfectly wonderful.
On one of these he had filed the dog so
that hauling back the hammer revolved
the chamber, but the dog did not catch the
trigger. With his thumb on the hammer
he could empty every chamber In 10 sec
onds, and put each bullet Into a foot circle
at 20 yards. It was before hip-pocket
days, but his gun was at his waistband,
not In a case or pocket to foul and give
his opponent the first shot, but tied with a
string that a quick Jerk would break.
Examining his weapons thoroughly and
ascertaining that they were In working or
der, he threw oft his clothes and lay down
to rest, not even thinking of the morrow,
for he wanted rest before action.
Morning came, and as the night before
gave promise. It was dark and foggy.
Wesner found the steamer with steam
down, tied alongside the east bank of the
river. Asking the pilot tHelr whereabout.,
he ascertained that they were about
miles below Memphis; and 25 from Atkins'
landing.
At first he thought he would tell the
captain of the boat the story, but on fur
ther consideration gave It' up as impolitic,
for the words of the two gamblers would
probably have as much weight as his.
At the breakfast table he designedly
seated himself opposite the gamblers,
whom lie found by the boat register were
booked as M. C. Jules, and hi 3 comrade
simply as J. Somes. Somes was evidently
the leader. Although younger In appear,
ance. Jules was the larger. He had a look
, about him calculated to create mistrust.
and always In conversation he kept watch
of his companion. Somes, on the con
trary, had a rrank. nonest look, was a
I little nervous in his movements, but not
WESNER. SENT TWO SHOTS AND
noticeably bo. Both were tastefully
dressed and spoke English without the
French accent. They had been playing
cards nearly all night, and were consider
ably jaded. Ordinarily, they would have
kept their rooms until dinner, but this
morning they had business on hand. Al
though they did not expect any interrup
tion, they were a little anxious for fear
Babbage might have missed connections.
In which which case they would have to
return to Memphis and await another
down-river boat. This would be awkward
for them, as It might provoke questions
and arouse suspicions.
Somes had Informed the captain that
they expected some negroes, recently pur
chased, to be brought on board at Atkins,
and as this was no unusual occurrence,
and he supopsed the men to be legitimate
traders, no more notice was taken of it.
After breakfast, as the fog showed signs
of lifting, the furnace was filled and steam
raised so that the boat could be readily
handled. She began to feel her way slow
ly along the river, while the fog was yet
so dense that it was impenetrable a boat's
length beyond her stern. The bell rang
continually, and at short Intervals tha
gram sound of the steam whistle echoed
through the trees and bushes that hung
dripping over the river bank. There was
Imminent danger of running down some
drifting fiatboat, as such craft were nu
merous, or colliding with an upbound
steamer. The river was fearfully high and
the current four miles an hour. The rush
of tho current, however, was partially
counterbalanced by the backward motion
of the wheels of the steamer, so that
probably a speed of three miles was all
she was moving under.
Suddenly, as the boat, still hugging the
eastern bank, rounded a Bend In the river,
there loomed up a black, misshapen mass,
on undefined mixture of fog and steam
boat, from wliich broke forth a succession
of such shrieks as nothing but a Missis,
sippl steamer whistle could give. In an
instant the breakfast table was deserted,
and the excited passengers rushed out of
the saloon Just In time to see the steamer
VIdalla, not more than 20 feet from the
Aurora. It was close, but, thanks to the
caution of both captains, the danger was
past, and they slowly drifted by each
I other, not three feet apart.
The VIdalla was crowded with passen
gers and loaded to the guards with freight.
A collision would Inevitably have sunk her
with a fearful loss of passengers, as there
are few chances of rescue from the swift,
muddy current of the Lower Mississippi.
Soon after the fog lifted sufficiently to
enable the steamer to make a fan- rate of
speed, and about 10 o'clock she drew near
Atkins landing. Tho pilot ran her stem
against the bank, and. as she would stay
there some time, let her stern swing grad
ually with the current, until she lay
alongside, with her bow pointing up river,
and her guards hugging the shore.
Somes and Jules stood on the upper
deck, watching the shore and occasionally
exchanging a few words. Wesner passed
when the boat touched the shore stepped
on the bank. He had matured his plan
and was ready for action. He knew he was
alone, but now the devil in him was
aroused, for, huddled beslce a large pile
of cordwood were five of the most for
lorn, staxved-looklng negroes he had ever
seen, and he had seen many.
From the dirty and unkempt rags that
partially covered them the mo'sture from
t the fog dripped In big drops. The women
, had evidently been crying, and the men,
' shackled together, stood mute and sullen.
They were travel-stained. looked weary.
I and were well plastered with yellow mud.
Beside them stood Babbage. At sight of
I him Wesner was a little disconcerted, for
he recognized In him the stranger I had
j wounded the night we ran off the Flll
; more's cargo. Then he was not known as
' Muhl Babbage. but he probably had a new
! alias whenever necessary, to avoid the
, Sheriff.
I Taking In the situation, Wesner ap
j proached Babbage and looked him over as
, It he meditated purchasing him. The man
i appeared III at ease, and danced at the
! steamer.
"Those negroes for sale?" inquired Wes
ner. "They ain't mine, atranser." (Just here
--- sruiT7 i
mm jj ssk i tat
Babbage caught sight ot Somes.) "Tiler's
the gentlemen as owns." em," he replied,
and leaving his charge he walked toward
the boat.
Wesner hurriedly asked one of the ne
groes, "Did this man buy you?"
"No," was the answer.
"Whom do you belong to?"
"James Wilson, Floyd County, Ken
tucky." This was spoken low and quick. Wes
ner sauntered toward the steamer. Somes
and Jules had changed their position and
were standing at the head of the gang
way plank, ready to walk ashore. The
captain of the Aurora was leaning over
the rail on the main deck, and the mate,
radiating between tho woodpile and the
steamer, alternately praised the deck
hands, who were lugging wood on board,
or cursed them vigorously because they
loaded light and were slow. Others of the
crew were loading a few cotton bales at
the side plank, and, with shouting, swear
ing and running, business was lively.
As Somes stepped ashore, Wesner drew
back perhaps 20 feet and first epoke to
him:
"Where did you steal those niggers?"
Somes started, stared around and did
not at first comprehend who spoke to him.
Then came the question, loud and distinct:
"Whose niggers are those, and where
did you steal them?"
Somes reached for his plstoL Instantly
Wesner had him covered.
"Wink, and you are a dead man."
"Captain," cried Wesner, "those two
men are negro thieves. Those negroes,
standing there, were stolen from James
Wilson, Floyd County, Kentucky, They
are taking them, to New Orjeans to mar
ket." "You He," interrupted Somes.
Wesner eyed him. steadily and replied
in Acadian.
"Mon dleu," exclaimed Somes, "why did
I talk?"
Jules now Joined Somes, and at Wes
ner's remark drew bis pistol. Instantly
shifting his aim from Somes to Jules,
Wesner fired. Somes sprang back to the
steamer, drawing his own pistol as he
ran; Wesner sent a bullet after him.
BABBAGE STRUCK THE GROUND.
striking his arm near the elbow. The
two shots were In quick succession.
Babbage, who appeared like one dazed,
cried out as Jules was hit: "By God,
the man shoots with his gun lock filed
who is, he?"
Wesner, with his eyes still fixed upon
Somes, and keeping him under the muz
zle of his pistol, continued to talk to the
captain of the Aurora.
"Captain, these two men, Jules and
Somes, have stolen these negroes Bab
bage brought them from Kentucky."
Babbage was standing about 30 feet
from Wesner, but at the first shot he
ran back to the negroes to protect
them. He shQwed no Inclination to take
part In the fray. At the mention of his
own name, he seemed to realize that he
was a factor in the scrimmage. He knew
very well that Judge Lynch held court
on both banks of the Mississippi, and
negro stealing was a hanging crime. He
was a ready man with his gun, and with
out a moment's hesitation, he fired at
Wesner, whose side was exposed to his
aim. The bullet ploughed through Wes
ner's shoulder, making a deep flesh
wound. Without changing position, Wes
ner sent to shots in exchange. In such
rapid succession that Babbage struck the
ground, with two caliber 38s in his body.
Somes was no coward and a fair shot.
He had fled to the forward part of the
upper deck. It was crowded with pass
engers, who had rushed out at the first
fire. He could not shoot from there, but
the shooting of Babbage had created a
diversion In his favor. Knowing that If
Wesner lived, he was a doomed man, and
having no appetite for prison life or the
noose, he broke from the crowd and ran
to the after part of the deck, some 40
feet from where Wesner stood.
When clear ot the crowd, he halted and
raised his weapon. Wesner had not low
ered his. and as Somes halted, fired. The
ball shattered Somes' arm. and his weap
on fell Into the river.
"I am done," was all he said, and sank
on tho deck.
Wesner stepped up to the captain.
"Captain, as -there Is no Sheriff here, I
demand you to arrest me, take these nig
gers to the next Janding. take care of
them and send them to their masters.
As for these villlans. If they live they
can be tried and hanged. I expect that
scoundrel (pointing to Babbage) Is dead
he is the best one, however."
The whole affair, from the first hot
until the last, had not occupied more than
three minutes, and by that time, especial
ly as the danger was over, the passen
gers began to recover from their panic,
and the gentlemen gathered around Wesner,
who explained to them why he had mis
trusted these men. and also that he had
understood their conversation although
In Acadian, and had determined to rescue
the negroes.
"Now, gentlemen. I am your prisoner.
Turn me over to the first Sheriff. If you
wish, or brin these men to trial."
Men on the Mississippi were not ar
rested in those heroic days fcr deeds like
this, and George was the Hon of the
day
Somes and Jules were tried and sent
to Baton Rouge, where they perished
when the prison was burned.
The negroes were sent back to Floyd
County, but never got there, for Wesner
left the boat at the next landing, went
back to Memphis, intercepted them and In
40 days from the day of the fight they
were safe in Canada, and the money for
them was In our hands.
CHAPTER XXVII.
Our next venture was without Incident
worthy relating. I went through with
eight, taking only one canoe. It was
late in July before we started The
weather was very dry, the water low, and
It was difficult to get the canoe through
some of the shoal places.
While In New York Entwlssle read
me portions of a letter from Shreve
port. La.. In that letter the writer de
nounced the institution of slavery very
bitterly, and urged an organized sys-
Item of raids similar to the one we were
pursuing. He was a Southern man, and
spoke of the mysterious disappearance of
I tho negroes from Attakapas, but
doubted that they had gone North. His
theory was that they were stolen, and
sold in Cuba, slaves at that time bringing-
very good prices there. In this
theory he was not alone. I had beard the
some theory advanced before, and had en
couraged It all I dared. Entwlssle's idea
was for me to go home by way of Shreve
port, find the writer ot the letters, and
see what chance there was of successful
operation. This letter was unsigned, and
the only clew to Its author was to direct
to box 91, Shreveport, La. "This," I re
plied, "admits of two conclusions. It Is
either a 'slmon pure letter, or the man
who penned It suspects that your anti
slavery society is the Instigator of these
raids. If the last, he will wait for your
answer. If the former, and he is In ear
nest, you will hear from, him again.
Meantime, write him that you are not
doing business that way. I will get ready
to start about the time you should re
ceive your answer."
Entwlssle wrote as I requested, and In
about 10 days received an answer. It was
very philanthropic. The writer deplored
the existence of the Institution, and his
abuse of the slaveholder was as vitupera
tive aa ungrammatlcal, and was too zeal
ous to be genuine.
I suggested to Entwlssle that I get a
few days' start toward Shreveport, and
that he write to box 9L Inclosing his let
ter in a fancy envelope, so I could detect
it at a glance In the box.
He did as I desired. I Immediately pro
ceeded to Shreveport, disguised as a
drummer selling goods for a big patent
medicine concern in New York. Ent
wlssle had made the arrangements, and
if I sold any goods they were to for
ward them and alsoacknowledge me as
their agent, for I never knowingly left
any holes for suspicion. Entwlssle was
to write me by the same mall that car
ried the letters to box 9L
I had been In Shreveport a few days
and had really sold quite a bill of goods
to the drug store, and had seen the pro
prietor of box 91. The mail at that time
arrived dally by steamer, and generally
about 3 o'clock P. M., and as I was al
ways on the lookout for tho mailboat. I
never missed being at the postoffice and
watching my man.
He was a difficult piece of humanity to
pronounce upon, and my opinion was di
vided as to hla being a Methodist
preacher on circuit or a gambler on a
vacation. I finally decided he was a
"pasteboard banker. His countenance
was pleasant, yet he had a cool, deter
mined look about him that showed he
was no child to deal with, and I was
fully aware that I must proceed with
caution If I would ascertain his object
and vlewe without exciting suspicion.
There were boxes ra the postoffice In
Shreveport numbered up to 150. These
boxes had glass fronts, and letters could
be plainly seen from the hall, but as they
were usually put Into the boxes flat, it
was difficult to see the address.
At length my patience was rewarded,
and I caught the address, "Mr. Alvln
Beatham, Shreveport." Now, Mr. Beat
ham, who are you? My curiosity was
soon satisfied, for I found Mr. Beatham
was a small planter, sometimes a slave
hunter, something of a gambler, and at
present deputy Sheriff rbr the Shreve
port district. My next move was to
maka his acquaintance, for I had no
doubt that he scented the Attakapas
business through the shooting at White
River, or else from rumors or informa
tion from below. How to ascertain more
was another thing. I could stay there
but a few days without attracting notice,
especially If I loafed around the post
office. I was on the hotel books as J. P. Ma
comber, and letters were, of course, di
rected to that name. Envelopes that I
received were all O. K., my drug house
ad, on the face, all honest and Equare.
One day I saw Beatham talking to a
stranger, a tall, solid-looking chap In
the neighborhood of 40 years of age. Not
liking his looks, I came to the conclu
sion that that infernal White River af
fair had been exploded and would ruin
us ehould we be suspected. I knew
George was making up another Hot for'
the same route, and about ready 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
George before they were off. Not dar
ing to risk, a letter, my only course was
to go to New Iberia.
Next day I took the steamer. On the
way down I remembered that It was
necessary for George to visit New Or
leans before leaving for the North, and
as it would cause me but little delay,
concluded to go there also. I usually
stopped at a small hotel In Lafayette,
and George at the St. Charles. As my
object was to see him, I went to the St.
Charles.
As I left the carriage to my great
surprise and Joy he was standing on
the hotel steps watching the newcomers,
and smoking.
"Glad to see you, Charlie, but what
evil omen sent you? D!d you know I
was here?"
"No. I didn't." I replied, "but as I
wanted to see you I came."
"Come up to my room no, book your
name first, get another room, then ccme
to mine. No. 147; second floor."
"I'll be there In a few minutes," I re
plied. I booked my name, ordered my
luggage, sent to my room, and, after
washing and combing my hair, called
at 147. George was there waiting.
"Come," he cried, "out with it. Let's
know the worst; you look anxious and
uneasy."
I told him the story.
"Then, there's two," said he. "It's just
as you say, Charlie; It Is the White River
affair. I was afraid of It. and always
knew I did wrongs not to have killed
the whole of them. They would have
murdered me and sold the negroes. We'll
start tomorrow for Shreveport. They
know, probably, that the party was from
below. There Is quite a etlr yet among
those same negroes."
"Did you ever And who the parties
were with whom you fought?"
"Never! How could I when I could
ask no questions, and such affairs are
never published?"
Next day, taking a Red-River steamer,
in due time we were in Shreveport.
walking toward the postoffice. Beatham
and the stranger were coming toward
the office from an opposite direction, bus
ily talking, and not noticing the surround
ings. There was- no one In the office
corridor but ourselves. I saw them, and,
said to George: "There they go. Let3
walk down the street, meet them and
take one gool look so we will know when
the next time."
Wesner looked up. "Heavens, I know
one this time. That's Gregg, the Mar
shal from whom I stole Lucy. I had the
eame rig on then I have now": and he
bolted out of the opposite door, disap
pearing around the corner. I did not
move, and there was no time for explana
tion. Wesner's stay in Shreveport was very
brief, being limited to the time occupied
in traveling from the postoffice to the
steamboat landing.
(To be continued.)
Poisonous Krnit Syrnp.
Chemist Hummell, of the State Dairy
and Food Department, cays the St. Paul
(Minn.) Dispatch, found that strawberries,
sold for the purpose of supplying "pure
fruit" flavor for Ice cream and Ice cream
soda, had been colored with coal tar or
aniline dye. The can containing the sam
ple was sent to the department by a local
firm, which said that It had received nu
merous complaints from its customero
that Ice cream soda made from the con
tents made them III. The complaints all
came from those who used the strawberry
flavor. A can of these berrJes became
broken, and employes who ate some of
them became III almost immediately.
A chemical analysis revealed the color
ing matter which had caused the Illness.
The strawberries were put up by a Cleve
land firm especially for the Ice cream soda
trade. The berrle3 had been cooked,
which gave them a dark color. To restore
the bright red, dye was used for coloring.
; THE PALATIAL
OUi BUI
fet
Hot a dark office In tne bulletins)
bolutelr flreprootj electrics light
asd. artesian rrater; perfect sanita
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Rooks.!
ALDRICH. S. W.. General Contractor. 61C
ANDERSON. GUSTAV. Attorney-at-Law.. .613
ASSOCIATED PRESS; E. U Powell. Mrr..S0
AtTSTEJf. 3". C, Jfanaser for Oregon and
Washington Bankers Life Association, of
Ia Molne-i. la 502-5031
BANKERS' L.TFE ASSOCIATION. OP DES
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BUSTEED. RICHARD. Agent Wllaoa & Mc-
Callay Tobacco Co 602-1
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Insurance Co. .......... 718
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COLUMBIA TELEPHONE COMPANY..
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Manager .......... .............. 415-418
DAT. J. G. & I. N SISi
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EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETT:
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FIDELITY MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION:
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GALVANI. W. H.. Engineer and Draughts
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GAVIN. A.. President Oregon Camera Club.
214-215-216-21T
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Surgeon .................. .. .....- 212-
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GODDARD. E. C. & CO.. Footwear
Ground floor. 120 Sixth stress
GOLDMAN. WILLIAM. Manager Manhattan
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LITTLEFIELD, H. R.. Phys. and Surgeon.. 20
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METT. HENRY 21S
MILLER. DR. HERBERT C Dentist and
Oral Surgeon .........................I
MOSSMAN. DR. E. P.. Dentist 312-313-314
MANHATTAN LIFE INSURANCE CO.. of
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MUTUAL RESERVE FUND LIFE ASS'N;
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