The Sunday Oregonian., June 17, 1900, PART THREE, Page 30, Image 30

Tir- Ttf . -
I'
I I
P i
30
THE SUNDAY OEEGONIA3S, POBTLAND. JUNE 1T, 1900.
Synopsis of Preceding Chapters.
(Copyright, 1900, by F. A. Cuznmlngs.)
Five years before the outbreak of the Civil
War, love of adventure, hatred of slavery and
the desire to help my friend, George Wesner,
led me, Charles Bradley, a civil engineer, of
Attakapas CouAy, Louisiana, to become an
agent of the underground railroad. Wesner
had been nursed through the smallpox by a
young slave, Lucy, belonging to the Coverley
plantation. He discovered facts -which proved
that Lucy -was "white and of good family. A.
secret love match followed, -which progressed
well until Coverley proposed to sell Lucy to
his son. and refused to self her to anyone else.
Wesner became desperate, I agreed to help
lilm steal Lucy, and -went to New York to ar
range with the anti-slavery society for the
care of any slae "e could bring North. We
arranged our end of the underground railway,
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. Wesner makes the first venture, and
starts North with 10 of Coverley's slaves. In
cluding Lucy. The venture is successful. Wes
ner delivers the slaves -to the agents In New
York, and places Lucy In school at Andoier.
I take charge of the second raid. Disguised as
a peddler, I see and arrange with some of the
Raymond negroes for their escape. Dave, their
leader, gathers 73 slaves together, and after
great trouble and many narrow escapes we ship
them North by sea along with a cargo of cot
ton. Our total profits on the cargo are $0000.
In the following Spring wo plan a third ven
ture, and the Lanman plantation Is our first
objective. We collect another lot at the ren
dezvous, and Wesner takes them north to Cairo
over the old route. Lucy Is recognized by a
Southerner In Massachusetts, and Is betrayed.
Meantime Pierce, a friend of Wesners, hears
of the warrant lor 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 lew miles north, and res
cues Lucy. Wesner puts Lucy among friends,
and then starts back to Attakapas. On the
,teamer he discovers two slave stealers, and
later rescues a band of their victims. He takts
the slaves to Canada. Meantime, I send eight
slaves North by the old route. I go to Shreve
port to do some surveying and detective work.
Wesner comes to see me. and barely escapes
detection by the Sheriff, Gregg.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
The John Little lay at the landing,
loaded and bound down, "Wesner en
gaged lila stateroom and kept It until
the "boat left and he was sure Gregg
was not on board. He had no objec
tions to meeting Gregg, but not In
Shreveport at that time, and la the dis
guise he then wore, as It was too fa
miliar, and might create unpleasant rec
ollections. Gregg's being there coma have but one
solution: He and Beatham were together
in some plot, whether Gregg's or Beat
ham's I could not divine.
Gregg's abilities as a detective I did
not fear; Beatham was simply a shrewd
Coon ty Sheriff. I was thoroughly disguised
but concluded that I must be there a week
perhaps more, before I would be able to
llnd any clew to their plans.
Again, I was a stranger, and not likely
to gain their confidence.
I had previously received a letter from
a gentleman living some miles back from
Shreveport, asking me to come at the
iirst opportunity and survey a lot of tim
ber land, owned by himself and others. I
had returned no answer as I was other
wise engaged. This, however, was the op
portune chance. I immediately hurried
to the steamboat landing, and, with nearly
us much celerity as Wesner, boarded tho
boat, bought my ticket and secured a
stateroom.
Travel was very light at this season.
The boat was not advertised to leave
until 5 o'clock, and I kept watch of the
Ghore, thinking that Gregg might fee on
his way to New Orleans, and we should
have the pleasure of his company, but he
did not make his appearance. Wesner
did, however, before the boat was
a dozen lengths from the shore. I ex
plained to him my idea, and he readily
fell in with it. At New Orelans I wrote
to Mr. Richardson that I would be ready
to survey his land as soon as I could get
my instruments from home. These "Wes
ner agreed to send to the hotel In La
Fajette. I had stopped one night at tho
St. Charles on my return with Wesner,
as I had left my trunk and samples in
my room, agreeing to pay for my room
rent while absent.
I changed my clothes, removed my dis
guise, and appeared upon the street as
Charles J. Bradley, and, going directly
to La Fayette, I booked my name at
the hotel there. My Instruments arrived,
and with them a letter from Wesner.
"A fcTho letter was about some other business,
and contained no allusion to the 17. G.
R. R. Its tone I did not like. There was
a big blot of ink on the upper corner of
one sheet. It was never there by acci
dent. George Wesner did not blot his
papers. An odd phrase, also, alluding to
it, gave mo uneasiness. "There is a big
blot on this sheet. I have tried to erase
It, but, as you will notice, with only
partial success."
He had scraped a little off one corner.
After this came his signature.
The evening after my instruments ar
rived I was on my way to Shreveport,
Arriving there I found at lejast two
weeks' work, and wrote to Wesner to
that effect. I had no chainman with me,
and it was necessary to hire two. One,
at least, must be a man who could read
and write. I also wanted a couple of
axmon. I determined to have my friend
Beatham's assistance In this. According
ly I watched for him, Introduced myself,
stated my butlness, and asked him if he
could recommend a person suitable to
take the head end of the chain or two
men for chalnmen. (Richardson furnished
his own axmen). He said he could, and
would be pleased to do so. He owned a
mulatto boy who was brought up in New
Orleans, could read and write, was a car
penter, and Just at present was doing
nothing of any account. At my request
iie sent him to me. I questioned him.
Beatham had not misrepresented the boy.
He could read and write, and had ideas
above hte station. Books were scarce,
and his facilities for obtaining them were
poor. His principal sources of reading
matter were the various circus and men
agorie posters, with which the South was
always flooded. He could repeat from
memory tho names of all the famous
acrobats, enormous elephants, wonder
ful bareback riders, beautiful women,
and funny clowns which had been ex
hibited in the state for the last live
years Beatham informed me that his
only fault was chasing circuses, and to
look out for him If one came along, as
he was sure to follow. He once tagged
after Joe Pentland's great show for 50
miles.
I now flattered myself that I "had the
straight road to Beatham's confidence,
and as he lived only about a mile from
Richardson's, I spent my spare time with
him. Evenings, after I had corrected my
flold notes, I .would ride over to his
place. Alec, the mulatto boy, would some
times accompany me. Beatham was rath
er patient, than otherwise, and Alec In
formed me that lie was right down good
to him. I knew well enough that Beat
ham must talk sooner or later, and asked
no questions myself. The second night
I was there we were on the veranda
smoking. An old shingle horse, some one
had brought out for a. horseblock, stood
near. Beatham sat astride that, pulling
away at a corncob pipe, bis favorite
smoke. Mine was the cheroot of those
days, varied with an occasional pull at
a T. D. The mosquitoes were hungry.
Beatham smoked and slapped, slapped
and smoked alternately, varying both
actions in Intensity as the mosquitoes ad
vanced or retreated.
"Much acquainted "round Tucapaw,
Mr. Bradley?" he inquired.
"Yes," I answered.
"How long been there?" t
I told him.
"Know old Eb Coverly 7
"Yes, sura"
"You heard about the- niggers?"
"I ought to. I was at the first hunt,"
I replied. "They started from our store
Wesner & Bradley's."
"Show, now, I remember, so they did.
I had forgotten that. Didn't Wesner
have a row with the old man about a
yaller girl of his'n?"
"I don't know about that," I replied.
"George Is prettty close-mouthed."
Here, Alec, who had been standing
near, grinned. Beatham saw the grin.
"Here, you d d nigger, you scoot out
of this, or I'll make you think Jim Myers
and Jo Pentland's shows are both on
top at once." Here he let go at Alec
a half-pound plug of tobacco he had in
his hand.
Alec scooted, taking the tobacco with
him.
"Ho'b got the tobacco," I laughed out.
"Never mind." said Beatham, "he will
keep away, and be a pretty good nigger
while tho tobacco lasts. But about these
niggers of Coverly's. Where do you sup
pose the d d critters went?"
"I couldn't tell you, Mr. Beatham," I
replied. "I was there in the hunt. We
found no trace where they entered the
swamp, as, of course, they must, for thero
was no other way for them to hide."
"No," said Beatham. "there wasn't,
that's plain."
"I was there, also, when the others
ran off, and went with old 'Skew Bill' and
all the boys, but with the same result
We could not find a trace of them. Wes
ner and myself were on paroCe for a week,
but saw no ona Every road around that
neighborhood was watched results the
same- Wesner always suspected a Yan
kee brig, that lay at Franklin. However,
I was at New York when she reported,
and. In company with the Lacrolx boys,
boarded her. There was nothing but
sugar and cotton on her no niggers."
"I am glad," said Beatham, "at last to
see one man from that cursed French hole
wno doesn't lay the loss to the Oboe
man. Where do you think they did go?"
"Well," I rep'.ted, "it seems plausible
to me that they were stolen and run off
to Texas and sold there. You know the
thing has been done."
"Yes, Jack Travis, a Florida chap I
knew, used to steal niggers In Georgia
and sell them In Florida, and did a
good thing? at It. 'Sposo he would ha
been at it now. If one nigger he stole
four times hadn't got footsore walking
back and forth from Tallahassee to
MilledgeviHe, so he Just took what Jack
gave him as his share, bought himself
and two other niggers, and then gave
Jack away. He told his old master he
thought Jack was a dangerous fellow to
have around stealing folkf rjlggere.
People round Taaahassee thought the
darkles' masters were In with Jack.
Howsumever. I didn't know all I do
know is that when the regerlaters got
to Jack's house he had gone to Texas
two weeks. They burned his house and
licked Ws wife out of spite. Jack came
back a couple of years later and got his
wife. Shot two of the regerlaters at the
samo time. Got a crack at me, too I
was one of theen, and. he continued, "I
reckon there is white men at the bottom
of this business. Now, Mr. Bradley, I
know Just where that yaller girl of Cov
erly's is. Don't know about the rest of
them. Did you ever see her?" he asked.
I replied that I had some years ago.
"Well, I seen a man within a week
that sat right on the oar seat side of
that 'ere girl, and he said she was edl
catcd like a Yankee schoolmarm, was
hansom as any woman he ever saw. and
no man not posted would ever know
she was a nigger."
"Coverly knows; It was Mm that sent
this man thero."
"I don't know as I am bound to keep
dark. Coverly must ketch his own nig
gers. The man was Slle Gregg. Deputy
United States Marshal, and he feels
awful sore over It. Coverly got out a
warrant when he heard where the girl
was. and sent Gregg clean up to Massa
chusetts to arrest her. After he got
her arrested she was stole from him
within 50 miles of Cairo. 111. I tell you.
Slle is pretty blue; didn't make a cent
out of the trip."
Here he proceeded to give me Gregg's
account of Lucy's rescue. Gregg laid
tho rescue to Pierce, and had no idea
who the rescuing party really were. He
was sour on Shaughnessy, who he
thought had failed him. but allowed
that tho rescuing party were tho smart
est set of men he ever met.
Lucy, once safe in Orleans, in Gregg's
Judgment, would sell for 53000. Ho could
buy off Coverly for $1500. and was quite
determined to recapture her on his own
account, and having confidence in Bea
tham's skill as a detective and negro
hunter, was endeavoring to induce him to
take a share in the enterprise Beatham
wrote Entwlss at Gregg's request. It
seemed that Gregg had stumbled upon
Entwlssle's name In connection with the
Underground railroad.
"How did she get to Mossachusettts
Mr. Beatham?" I inquired.
"My opinion is." ho replied, "that girl
and the rest of them niggers was taken
right up the Teche, carried across to the
Mississippi, and some onery steamboat
capen was paid for stowing 'em away and
landing "em In Cincinnati In the night."
"I know," I replied, "how thoroughly
the country was searched for them."
Gregg assured Beatham that he would
know the voice of the man who carried
Lucy out of the car. should he ever hear
him again, and he also added he was a
dead shot with the pistol, and could have
killed him as easily as broken his arm.
It was evident from all this that Bea
tham did not know of the White River
nght, or. If he did. he had paid no atten
tion to It. Gregg had secured from Dick
Coverly a conditional bill of sale of Lucy
for 51500, and his Idea was that with
Beatham's holp they cou'd kidnap and
take her to New Orleans. Beatham made
no secret of the matter, as ho knew I
was a neighbor of Coverly's, and would
naturally bo Interested In the recovery of
his property.
That night I wrote a detailed account
of the Intention to Wesner .as It was nc
secret, or In any way implicated him. I
also added for his satisfaction that Mr.
Beatham said Lucy was at Lee, or near
there.
Wesner wrote to Pierce an explanation
of the contemplated coup de main, and
requested hlra to watch for the pair, de
scribing Beatham as well as possible.
Gregg's personality being already familiar
to him. He did not think their plan would
materialize. Pierce was not so confident.
and, not wishing to duplicate his former
experience, sent Lucy to Portland. Me.
I finished up my surveying, settled up
with Mr. Richardson, took leave of Bea
tham and the rest of my Shxoveport ac
qualntalnances. Poor Alec was down-hearted and prom
ised to write to me ail the news, but of
course It was impossible for me to reply
to his letters.
Beatham accompanied me to tho steam
boat. On the way he remarked that he
had about mado up his mind to have noth
ing to do with Gregg's attempt to recap
ture Lucy, unless Gregg would pay all the
bills, for he thought there was more risk
than money. I strongly advised him not to
attempt anything of the kind, as there
was a feeling in the North against re
turning fugitives, especially such a woman
as Lucy was reported to be. and if caught
with her In their possession the people
would either mob and kill them or they
would be arrested and sent to Jail and as
Gregg had escaped alive once, he had bet
ter rest satisfied.
CHAPTER XXIX.
On my arrival at New, Iberia George
met me at the landing. He looked sick.
tired and discouraged. There were 14 per- '
I TOOK THE IVETTHR.
sons at the rendezvous. Obed and Ma
son had picked these up In different
places, none, however, within a radius of
40 miles of us. Some of these had been
secreted four months. Fever had broken
out among them; Mason had been down.
Obed not much better, and they had
nearly starved, as there was no one ex
cept Obed to go for food, and he was quite
weak. It was now well Into August, the
bayous were low, and the weather intense
ly hot.
"Charlie," said he, "this is my last ven
ture. We must get these poor devils out
of this. I feel as If I had lived all this
time with a rope around my neck. Lucy,
poor girl, is lonesome nad anxious. I am
not going to sell out here, for I love this
country too well. I will go North, marry
Lucy, and await better days. Charlie,
they have got to come. Blood will un
doubtedly flow, but the end Is near." This
was in August. 1859.
The next night we took our canoe and
paddled up the bayou a short distance to
the mouth of a little brook, dry at this
season. Wo had with m nbo'ut 20D pounds
of provisions, consisting mostly of ship
bread and dried meats. In addition, we
took a few gallons of whisky and 103 lem
ons. These Wesner and myself carried up
to the bed of the brook and securely hid.
Something after 12 o'clock, everything I
being sate, w esner left me to ngnt mos
quitoes until daylight and I could see to
travel. I don't think I ever endured so
much misery from these pests as I did
that night. The torture was awful, and
nearly drove me frantic I built a
smudge, but the smoke from it only
served to nerve them to fiercer attacks
and more daring assaults. Their stings
were like needles, and their buzzing was
like the wails of tho dying.
I welcomed the first crack of day, and
as soon as I could tell a stick from a
snake, started up the brook, a bottle of
quinine In my pocket and a Jug of whisky
rlung over my shoulder. The mud in the
bod of the brook was ankle deep, and I
had to leave that and hew my way
through the thicket to the higher ground.
The place was literally alive with snakes
and every other species of vermin and
Insect life Indigenous to a Louisiana
swamp. I was too far from the bayou for
alligators, but the frogs bellowed all night
and assisted the mosquitoes In their In
fernal concert.
It was about seven miles from where
I left the brook to our rendezvous. At
noon I arrived, tired, footsore, covered
and smarting with the stings of files and
mosquitoes.
Obed was sitting disconsolate outside
the door. His rifle lay across his knees.
He had heard me thrashing around In the
bushes 30 minutes before I came In sight,
but thought It was one of us, as the noise
came straight toward the cabin.
Inside the cabin the sight was pitiful.
Mnson lay In his berth, his features
shrunken with fever, and his big black
eyeA enlarged to twice their size, shone
with unnatural light. He knew me and
smiled in recognition, endeavoring to
stretch out his hand. I mixed some qui
nine and whisky and gave him a swallow.
The rest of the sick ones watched my mo
tions, following me with their corpse-like
eyes as I moved around the room. To me,
accustomed as I was to sickness among
the negroes and raulattoes, the sign of
death appeared to be written upon their
cadaverous feature?, and In their hollow,
sunken eyes. The mulatto, as a rule, is
not very hardy, and these were no excep
tions. The presence- of a white man, Obed
said, would help them more than medicine,
as through their wasted lives they had
had no other resource in case of trouble
than massa or mlsiius.
The next day, accompanied by Obed, I
returned to the "cache." We took along
four of the strongest fugitives, and I
loaded them with all the stores they could
carry, and. taking a small load myself,
we returned to camp. The day was hot
and Journey rough, but we arrived with
our loads about dark. We now had sup
plies sufficient for three weeks, and by the
end of that time I told them I hoped they
would all be strong enough to move
toward the North.
The next afternoon I returned to the
place where Wesner had left me, and
found him waiting for me with the canoe.
CHAPTER XXX.
At the postofflce I found a letter from
Beatham, written In his peculiar style
I of orthography. Incidentally informing me
j of the death of my stepfather, Robert
turxKuaa, ana cont&inwg s. long account or.
the Whlto River fight. To us this was
convincing' proof that 'there was no clew,
however remote, connecting any person in
our vicinity with the. raid, and again it
as conclusively proved that the route must
be abandoned for the( .future. Where
sfeouJd we go? Wo must'leave the swamp,
must get these people North, for, should
one of them be found here, there would
be red-hot times In the Teche country.
Upon this subject we pondered long and
deeply. If the poor unfortunates, now In
the swamp, were back upon the planta
tions, all would be well. But they were
not. They were sick, unable to travel,
and on our hands. We felt responsible
for their lives, and we clearly understood
If their masters found 'them and caught
us, our responsibility would end with a
short shrift and & long rope, and they
would suffer untold horrort.
We had three alternatives to let Obed
and Mason take the chances of getting
them through to Cairo to undertake a
new route and go ourselves, or to go with
them by the old route either was fraught
with danger. It was npt probable that
there would be water enough In the
swamps to float a boat for three months,
and It was Impossible for the fugitives to
remain where they were for that length
of time.
At last Wesner suggested writing to
Entwissle, to Inquire If there were any
chance to ship by -water, as there were
a number of places around Vermillion
Bay, and even on the Atehaf&laya, where
we thought -we could get through safely,
provided there was a vessel to recerae us
immediately upon arrival.
Wesner mailed the letter &X New Or
leans, going there for that purpose. It
was 10 days before he received an answer.
There was no vessel to be relied upon at
present. There was a shipbuilding con
cern in East Boston that during the pre
vious Winter had a crew somewhere on
the Sabine River, cutting timber for a
vessel frame. He had telegraphed to
these parties, and the 'answer was:
"Timber not shipped, but will be as
soon as a vessel can be 'chartered
Not satisfied with this. EntwlrSle had I
written that ho would -visit Boston and
"DEAR. SIRt I WILL GIVE YOU $1200 FOR THE GAL."
see what arrangements could be made and
would write us immediately from there.
Wesner, who had perfect confidence In
Entwissle, was content to wait. Two days
later the looked-for letter, postmarked
Boston, arrived. The frame was for Phil
adelphia parties, and must be delivered
there. At present it was piled out on the
bank at the mouth of a small creek mak
ing Into the Sabine near the town of
Orange, Tex., on the Louisiana side of
the Sabine. He could make 'very liberal
arrangements with the, Boston parties, as
they were much pleased to get a little
freight money to help them out. There
were about C50 tons of tho timber. He
could make arrangements f6r any num
ber of lay days, at a demurrage of only
$13 per day, after the first 20 days allowed
to load, and he suggested to Wesner to
visit the place and seo for himself what
the chances were for carrying tne pian
to a successful termination. Wesner tel
egraphed him. that he would go. While he
was absent I made a visit to the render-
vcus. tnkinxr In more Tirovislons. All the
j slrk wero recovering, nnd, best of all.
w" returning neaitn were growing no,-
fuL This was a good, omen,
The day after Wesner returned we
mounted our horecs and set out for tno
Sabine to explore a feasible route. The
great difficulty would be taking our peo
ple 00 m'.les, perhaps 70, without being
discovered. A part of our Journey must
bo through the swamp and forest, and by
night. Southwest wns the grand prairie:
this we would be obliged to cross, but
as our course lay toward Texoa and there
was not one chance In a hundred of any
of the party being known, we did not con
sider this a very serious obstacle. Some
time was consumed in, finding a suitable
route for tho first 25 miles. 'but finally we
rucceeded in locating tho road to our
satisfaction. We easily found the ship
timber. Tho trees along the river banks
had been cut down and quite a clearing
made. This was to let In the sunlight that
it might dry the timber, ns oak in Its
green state will sink to the bottom. In
the woods and at the edge of the clear
ing stood the camp occupied by the tim
ber cutters during the nrevloua Winter.
Hero we passed the nlht-
Thero war a dimly defined path lead
ing from the camp away from the river.
Thi' we supposed must lead to some
plantation or settlement. It was very
narrow, as it had not been traveled fo:
month. We did not explore it. About
seven mllefl below the clearing, and one
half mile from the river bank, we located
our camp for the negroes. It was on a
solitary hummock about'an acre in extent,
surrounded by at least a foot of water and
mud. in the midst of the worst tangled
swamp man ever saw.
Torn from the moist, soft eoll bv the
winds sweeping from the Gulf of Mexico
lay great oaks and tall cypress trees,
minded In wild confusion. Out among
tb-'r rottlmr trunks the water mocca.i
glided In disgusting security, the rank
September growth of the eemi-tropical
weeds hiding his loatheome bodv. Picture
tWs place surrounded bv an almost im
penetrable cane-brake, its bayous and
brooks the abode of tho alligator and
grenoullle, and It will tcive a faint idea
of our camp upon the Sabine, into whose
glopmy recesses no ray of sunshine ever
penetrated. It wns secure from man's
footsteps w cared for no'hing else.
Wo were 1? days unon this expedition,
from tho time we left until our return.
Our first move was to take a lot of pro
visions to the rendezvous We found the
fugitives as we left thm anxIou. but
hopeful for the s'ck had recovered, and
wore ready to movcv
Wesner wrote the result of our expe
ditlon to Entwirrfe and "waited an answer.
CHAPTER XXXI.
I had long entertained an Idea regard
ing Lucy, and while upon our Sabine ex
pedition I broached the subject to Wes
ner. Coverly was old, tho loss of his
'slaves had left him poor. Dick had prob
ably paid him no money for Lucy, but
had givm his note.
"Now." said I to George, "why not
write Pierce to make the old man an
offer for the girL He will sen. He
never can get her again, and he knows
It. One. thousand or. fifteen hundred dol
lars wt3 he of more value to him than
the ownership of a slave In Massachu
setts. He hns spent enough for her nl-
l ready. He offered her" to Gregg for $1500,
and will sell to Pierce for less. WW you
do rtr
"Charlie, I can't bear the idea, of ap
plying the words buy or sell to her. Once
I could. You should see her now."
"Shall I write to him?"
He hesitated a moment. "No, I wilL
If she Is once clear of that hunted feel
ing, she will be happier. I will write as
soon as we get back."
Some two weeks after this I was in
Franklin. As I wafl riding- slowly along
I saw the old man Coverly ride up to
the office of the only lawyer In the place,
dismount, pass the bight of his bridle
through the hole In the hitching post,
drop the loop over the top and walk Into
the office.
The day was exceedingly warm, and
the old man dropped Into a chair by the
open window and commenced to fan him
self vigorously with his hat. He caught
sight of me. and called to me to come
in. I had had no trouble with htm. and
rather courted an Interview, so I fastened
my horse and complied with his request.
Coverly, knowing I had been North,
and having an idea that Massachusetts
and Ohio were all the territory north of
the Ohio River, asked mo If I were ac
quainted in Massachusetts. I told him
that I was not, and never had been
there. He then volunteered the informa
tion that he had received a letter from
there, offering him $1200 for that girl
of his that run off. "Mr. Selwyn has the
letter," said he. "Selwyn, let Mr. Brad
ley ee that letter!"
I took tho letter, and here Is & copy
verbatim; evidently to me, who knew
Pierce, It was strained in spelling and
syntax:
"Boston. Mass. Sept 11. 1S59. Dear Sir
I am not a nigger speckelater, never was
and am an aberlishloner, but there Is a
poorly sort of a gal here, that says you
have a bill o' sale of her. I know an' you
orter, that you can't never get thet gal
agen eny more. I am the feller that was
with her when she was stole by the mar
shal an' I am the chap as stole her back.
She is in Kanada or Maine or somewhere
now. See here. I will give you 12 hundred
dolors for this gal. you put a toll of sail
for the gal, slncd by yoo an' your son
Dick all O. IC. In he bank of New Or
Innne T -nr" unil fha, mnnair r ttia m.Ii.
eer. Yoo'll be Just so much In. for the gal
is gone from yoo forever an yoo'll never
see her, sell or no selL P. S. Free pa
pers Just as good. No foolln' I've got
the property an yoo can't play no pints.
"LEWIS PIERCE.
"Direct as above."
I finished and looked up.
"Well, Bradley, what" do you think of
that?"
"I think If this man Pierce Is fool
enough to pay you for what Is evidently
alrrady his. you had better take It."
"My opinion coincides with yours." Sel
wyn added.
Coverly was old and obstinate. He took
the letter from my hands and put it in
his pocket, and sat awhile revolving the
matter In his mind. Finally he said to
Selwyn: "Write this to Pierce. Tell him
$1500 will take her. I hate to like h 1,
but all I want Is ths money. Tell him
to deposit it in the Bank of New Or
leans, payable to my order, when the
cashier receives the papers. You make
out a set of free papers, for I would soon
er set her free than sell her to an lnfer-
' ncl Yankee Abolitionist."
Selwyn made his memorandum as Cov
erly directed.
CHAPTER XXXII.
When I saw Wesner again he handed
me a letter from Entwissle. I append
copy:
"New York, Sept. 6, 1850. George Wes
ner, Esq. Dear Sir: In relation to the
shipment of ship timber now lying upon
the banks of the Sabine River, you are
hereby Informed that I was mistaken re
garding it. I am fully Informed by the
owner in Boston that the Sabine Is not
navigable for vessels large enough for
the cargo, but only for small craft. There
is but from 10 to 13 feet of water upon
the bar at the mouth of the river, and
this timber must be floated down and
shipped from Sabine Pass, and the vessel
must He off that place.
"The vessel we had in view was of too
deep a draft, and we have consequently
chartered the brig Cyrus Adams. The
captain fully understands the business,
and will take his crew and come pre
pared to raft the timber and float It down
to the brig. Please write me and govern
yourself accordingly. Yours truly,
"ENTWISSLE.
"P. S. The brig Is 'oading machinery
for Galveston, and w '" call for the tim
ber on ner return. Will let you know
when she sails from here. S. E."
Wesner was a bit discouraged upon re
ceipt cf this, as it would take until well
Into November to get these people off
our hands, and we must get them away
from the rendezvous before the swamps
filled on account of the Calcasieu River,
which we were obliged to ford. There
were other creeks, bayous and coolies
also between that river and the Sabine.
This expedition was vastly different from
our usual route, as there we wanted
water here dry land.
I went to New Orleans, and from there
telegraphed to Entwissle that we must
leave within 10 days, if we used that
route, and to write me full particulars
so there could be no mistake. I would
wait in New Orleans until the letter ar
rived. In a few days I received an answer to
my telegram. Mr. Entwissle wrote that
the brig would take a lot of machinery
to Galveston, and would leave New York
in about a week from the date of his let
ter. To discharge her cargo she must re
main a week or 10 days In Galveston, and
she might be expected to arrive at Sabine
pass In about 40 or 50 days from her sailing
date.
The captain was a Jerseyman by the
name of Reynold Cheswick, and was thor
oughly reliable. His instructions were to
remain at Sabine Pass untill he had opened
communication with us. We were further
instructed to remain at the timber camp
and watch the river. In the letter was a
piece of morocco leather about two Inches
long by one and a half wide, with edges
notched. Captain Cheswick had the other
piece, and, as Mr. Entwissle wrote. It must
be his letter of introduction.
This precaution was as much for the
captain's protection as ours, tor if by
any unforeseen accident we were cap
tured or our plans ascertained, strangers
could not personate either party, traless
they produced the counterpart of the
piece of leather.
There was no further news from Pierce.
His letters to us all came by way of New
York, as we had business correspondents
there, but Boston letters would be strictly
scrutinlaed In our postofflce, for, viewed
with Attakapas eyes, Boston was a mod
ern edition of ancient Sodom and Gomor
rah, without even the one righteous person-
to redeem, the lot.
Wesner was very anxious to learn the
results of Pierce's negotiations before
leaving, and so waited a few days, hat, no
letters arriving, I went t Franklin to see
If I could ascertain the reason why. I met
Selwyn on the street, and he volunteered
the information. Coverly was sick with
the prevalent fever, and could not attend
to business. Pierce had accepted his terms,
and "if the old fool don't back out," said
Selwyn, "ho is In Just $1500."
When Wesner heard this he concluded
that it was useless to wait longer, as the
negroes would be as safe on the Sabine
as on the Teche. There were provisions at
the rendezvous sufficient for 10 days.
At daylight on October 6 we broke camp
en route for the Sabine, and prepared to
take what luck was In store for us. For
the first 10 miles our route led through a
dense swamp. This we could have avoid
ed, but purposely kept It for safety. This
swamp we had not explored, but cal
culated, upon general principles, that it
would be passable if we had daylight to
help us. Wesner was to meet us at S P.
M. that night. The place selected was a
small belt of timber about 15 miles from
our starting point. He was to bring a
couple of saddle horses and also e. pack
horse, a mule and some other articles.
These he had previously deposited near the
timber. In leaving the camp I took the
lead, Obed following. There were no land
marks, and through the gloom no
ray of sun ever penetrated. It
was a dismal start, and nothing
but an exalted faith in our under
taking kept our flagging spirits to the
work. Obed carried a small ax, and was
frequently obliged to use It to cut away
the tangled roots and vines to enable the
women and children to force their pass
age through. There was very little water
to Incommode us, but the heat was in
tense. The close, tangled woods formed
a barrier to the circulation of air, and the
burning sun, shining upon the trees, sent
the moisture from them in clouds of steam.
The negroes, after the first mile, panted
like tired dogs, while, wilting under the
sultry heat, I was fast losing my energy.
We made but a mile an hour. This was
slow. But worse was to come, for across
our path, one day, not long before, had
traveled an angry hurricane. Twisted and
gnarled, the trees were piled up in Inter
mingled confusion. To go around this
blow-down might be possible, but 1 would
not undertake It, and therefore ordered
the party to rest. Down they sat in true
Ethiopian style, their hands clasped
around their knees.
I set the men at work cutting a path.
Sometimes there would be a place where
It was possible to travel, and. this helped
us out. About 4 o'clock In the afternoon
we passed the last windfall and again had
plain swamp. This was bad at best, and
It was sunset when we arrived at the edge
of the timber, where we were to meet
Wesner. From here the growth was open,
no underbrush to obstruct, and at 8
o'clock the whole party were within a
few rods of the appointed place. Direct
ing the people to lay low, and keep quiet,
I stole noiselessly toward the edge of the
timber. Wesner was there, anxious and
waiting. He had three horses with him
as he had proposed.
"How is it?" he asked.
I answered him, "All right
"Good"
Our next stage would be three miles
across an open prairie to another belt of
timber; beyond this timber was a cane
brake that promised concealment. With
in Its friendly shelter we proposed to
rest a day or two.
At 10 o'clock we were again on the
move. The night, as Obed expressed it,
was "dark as a nest of black cats." but
about midnight we leached the timber,
crossed it and were safely hidden in the
brake. There were Tib inhabitants in
very close proximity to the place, yet I
thought best to be cautious. We were
now 25 miles from our rendezvous. From
here we proposedto make straight across
the country, on a heellne for the Sabine,
swerving from a direct line only as the
conformation of the country obliged us, or
to avoid the scattering settlements. As
before mentioned Wesner and myself, on
our return from the Sabine, came this
route and selected our camping place.
We stopped In this brake until the
next night, then moved on, traveling by
night, leaving in this manner some 75
miles behind us. This brought us to th&.
big prarie. which we were obliged to
cross by daylight." Here was the only
chance for trouble on the route.
(To be continued.)
Bachelor Reflections.
Greens Is spinach when there isn't com
pany. Marriage Is like a dyed sock; unless the
love to the right kind, it's sure to crock.
A woman is about as much of a success
at driving a husband as she Is at driving
a long wire nail.
I heard a girl tell another girl once that
the most delicious feeling she ever experi
enced was having a man catch her up a
tree New York Press.
Fair Warnlper.
"My dear," eald Mr. Becker at the break
fast table, the other morning, ''what
would you do If I were one of those hus
bands who get up crces in the morning
and slam things around and kick up a
row Just because the coffee happens to be
cold?"
"John," replied hla better half. "I
wouldn't do a thing but make It hot for
you." Chicago News
Is the only way in which the businesa
woman, employed In store or office, can
get open ear ex-
aurc. xa is aoy E.-,j.4jKLrU
wonder that she f3gs3fS35gg
and thin and
develops a tend
on crv to "tvpnV
lunM." When- ife
ever there is &&
mim :.. t.ii, m2.w 'iss f-i -&
IJtXLU AU UlCaUl- tfcZ-rlfe J t 9T rim Jtr tz-
-r K,V
ing, soreness oi mz&im
the chest, obsu- fgrggjiif
iSVb
of disease of the
respiratory or
gans, begin the
use of Doctor
Pierce's Golden
Medical Discov
ery and con
tinue the use
until cured.
Ninety-eight in
every hundred
who have used
Golden Med
ical Discovervff
for "lung trou- 00k
ble," have been trgr,
terfectlv and a S
permanently i"
cured.
ni tn verr sick t
Indeed," -writes Bljv;
Mr. Mollie Jacobs, I )!
or Fcncn, itent w..
Delaware, "and
ova: fiualiy doctor
said I had con
suaotioa. I
thought I Btut die .'
soon for 1 felt so g
n-rrftil bad. Had a. "
bad cough, spit blood, and was vtzy short of
breath. I had pains la ay chest and right lung,
also had dyspepsia. Before I took year ' Golden
Medical Diaarrery ' and Pleasant Pellets I was
so weak I cocld cot sweep a room, now I caa
do a tmail washing. I feel lite a new person."
Dr. Pierce's Pellets cure heart-burn.
KSdFeS34taa4l
IBs
JS?"ra-TM3i
&Ba&&&m
ffSiffiS
nate cough, b?VVT3.:rl
bleeding from Sp'vS IV';:i?.':l
the lungs or any B0 WM&Q
other symptoms Kfeft' V 4-:T''5tS&
V. !. . i mXi'f x'" H?HB
?ii. Mfirci.i.v-- -.w-t-
vSS3Bfc5Nwd
iijL'3c?3ifeifei
.y SBm&tT Jl
.U7S
wmrt
wmsmm
TBE PALATIAL
nil bu
TTet a. darlc dee la the halloing:
bolntely fireproof; electrle lights
and artesian water; perfect sanita
tion and taorongk -ventilation. Ele
vators ran. day and night.
Rooms.
AINSIiTH. DR. GEORGE. Physician... .60S-COO
ALDRICH, S. W., General Contractor 610
ANDERSOJC. GUSTAV. Attorney-at-LaTr...C13
ASSOCIATED PRESS: E. 1 Powell. Mkt..303
AUSTEN, P. C, Manager for Oregon and
Washington Bankers' Life Aaooclatlon. of
DesMolnea. la . B02-30J
BANKERS LIFE ASSOCIATION. OF DES
MOINES. IA.;F. C. Austen. Manaj-cr. .502-303
BEALS. EDWARD A., Forecast Official U.
S. "Weather Bureau 010
BENJAMIN. R. W.. Dentist 314
BINSWANGER. DR. O. S.. Phrs. & Sur.410-411
BROOKE, DR. J. M., Phys. & Sun "03-709
BROWN. MTRA. M. D 313-314
BRCERB. DR. G. E.. Physician.... 412-413-414
BUSTEED. RICHARD. Arent WUaon iz ITe-
Callay Tobacco Co. 602-603
CADKIN. G. E..-District Agent Traveler'
Insurance Co. . 718
CARDWELL, DR. J. R 500
CARROLL. W. T.. Special Asent Mutual
Reserve Fund L!fa AJis'n.. 604
COLUMBIA TELEPHONE COMPANY
604-05-606-607-6ia-614-613
CORNELIUS. C W.. Phys. and Surgeon 203
COVER, F. C.. Cashier Equitable Life S04
COLLIER. P. F., Publisher: S. P. McGuire.
Manager .... 415-410
DAT, J. G. & I. N. 313
DAVIS. NAPOLEON, President Columbia
Telephone Co. 607
DICKSON. DR. 3. ?.. Physician T13-714
DRAKE. DR. H. B.. Physician B12-513-614
DWTER. JOE. F.. Tobaccos ... 403
EDITORIAL ROOMS Eighth floor
EQUITABLE LTFEASSURANCE SOCrETT:
L. Samuel. Manager: F. C Cover. Cashler.3C4
EVENING TELEGRAM 315 Alder street
KENTON. J. D.. Physician and Surgeon.500-3t0
FENTON. DR. HICKS CL. Ey and Ear Ml
FENTON. MATTHEW F.. Dentist 053
FIDELITY MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION:
E. C Stark. Manager 601
GALVANI, W. H., Engineer and Draughts
man , 600
GAVIN, A., President Oregon Camera Clul..
214-215-216-217
GEARY, DR. EDWARD P.. Physician and
Surgeon ..............1 212-213
GEBBIE PUB. CO.. Ltd., Fine Art Publish
ers. M. C McGreevy, Mgr... 513
GIESY. A- J.. Phyelclan and Surgeon.. .709-71fl
GODDARD, E. C & CO., Footwear
Ground floor. 120 Sixth street
GOLDMAN. WTLLIAM. Manager Manhattan
Lifts Insurance" Co. MKew York. 200-218
GRANT. FRANK S.. Attorhey-at-Law 617
HAMMAM BATHS. King &. Compton. Propn.303
HAMMOND. A. B. 31
HEIDINGER, GEO. X. i CO.. Pianos and
Organs ..131 Sixth street
HOLLISTER. DR. O. C. Phya. & Sur.. 504-503
IDLEMAN, C M.. Attorney-at-Law..416-17-la
JOHNSON. W. a - S15-31G-317
KADY, MARK T.. Supervisor of Atrents
Mutual. Reserve Fund Life Ass'n C04-C03
LAHONT. JOHN. Vice-President and Gen
eral Manager Columbia. Telephone Co 601
LITTLEFIELD. H. R.. Phys. and Surgeon.. 2ul
MACRUM. W. S., Sec Oregon Camera Club.214
MACKAY. DR. A. E.. Phyn. and Surg. .711-712
MAXWELL. DR. W. E.. Phys. & Surg. .701-2-3
McCOY. NEWTON. Attorney-at-Law 713
McFADEN. MISS IDA E.. Stenographer 201
McGINN. HENRY E.. Attorney-at-Law.311-3J3
McKELL. T. J.. Manufacturers' Repre'enta
tlvs ... 303
METT. HENRY 213
MILLER. DR. HERBERT C. DentJat and
Oral Surgeon ...... 60S-C03
MOSSMAN, DR. E. P., Dentist 312-313-314
MANHATTAN LIFE INSURANCE CO., of
New York; W. Goldman. Manager,... 200-210
MUTUAL RESERVE FUND LIFE ASS'N;
Mark T. Kady, Supervisor of Agents.. 604-001
Mcelroy, dr. j. g., Phys. & sur.701-702-703
McFARLAND. E. B., Secretary Columbia
Telephona Co. -... UUO
McGUIRE. 8. P.. Manager P. P. Collier.
Publisher . ... . 415-419
McKIM. MAURICE. Attomey-at-Law 300
MILLER & ROWE, Real Estate. Timber
and Farming Lands a Specialty 7M
MUTUAL LIFE INCURANCE CO.. of New
York; Win. S. Fond. State Mgr. .404-405-40 J
NICHOLAS. HORACE B.. Attorney-at-Law.713
NILES. M. L., Casnler Manhattan Life In
surance Co.. of New York 203
OREGON INFIRMARY OF OSTEOPATHY:
Dr. L. B Smith. Osteopath. 408-400
OREGON CAMERA. CLUB 214-215-216-217
POND, WM. S.r State Manager Mutual Life
Inst Co. of New York 404-400-400
PORTLAND PRESS CLUB 001
PORTLAND EYE AN DEAR E?FIRMARY.
Ground floor. 133 Sixth street
PORTLAND MINING fi TRUST CO.; J. H.
Marshall. Manager .- 513
QUIMBY, L. P. W., Game and T"orestry
Warden ... .. .- 716-717
ROSENDALE. O. M., Metallurgist and Min
ing Engineer 513-510
REED Ic. MALCOLM. Opticians. 133 Slxst street
REED, F. C. Fish Commissioner.... 407
RYAN. J. B.. Attorney-at-Law ...417
SAMUEL. L.. Manager Equitable Life 300
SHERWOOD. J. W.. Deputy Suprems Com
mander. K. O. T. M. 317
SMITH. Dr. L. B.. Osteopath 408-403
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.C00
STARK. E. C. Executive Special. Fidelity
Mutual Life Association of Phlla., Pa 601
STUART. DELL. Attorney-at-Law.. . 617-013
STOLTE. DR. CHAS. E.. Dentist 704-703
SURGEON OF THE S. P. RY. AND N. P.
TERMINAL CO 703
STROWBRIDGE. THOS. H.. Executive Spe
cial Agent Mutual Life, of New York 403
SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE 201
TUCKER. DR. GEO. F.. Dentist 610-611
U. S. WEATHER BUREAU 907-008-900-010
U. S. LIGHTHOUSE ENGINEERS. 13TH
DIST.. Captain W. C. Langfltt, Corps of
Engineers, U. S. A. 803
U. S ENGINEER OFFICE. RIVER AND
HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. Captain W.
C Langfltt. Corps of Engineers, U. S. A.. 319
WATERMAN. C H.. Cashier Mutual Life
of New York. . 403
retary Native Daughters ....716-717
WHITE. MISS L. E.. Assistant Secretary
Oregon Camera Club 211
WDLSON.DR. EDWARD N.. Phys. & Sur.304-3
WTLSON. DR. GEO. F., Phys. & Sufg..706-70T
WILSON. DR. HOLT C. Phje. & Surg.C07-B03
WILSON & McCALLAY TOBACCO CO.;
Richard Busteed, Agent ....602-603
WOOD. DR. W. L.. Physician.. .,..412-413-414
WILLAMETTE VALLEY TELEPH. CO. .,614
A few more elegant offices tqx7 oa
had by applying to Portland Trust
Company of Oregon, IOO Tlifrd st., or
to the rent cleric In the nylldlng.
Cure
ray 7
THE MODERN APPLTNCE A positive
way to perfect manhod- The VACUUM;
TREATMENT CURES yctf without medicine of
all nervous or diseasesof, the generative or
gans, such as lost man"00"' exhaustive drains,
varicocele, lmpotency0- Men are quickly re.
stored to perfect heV1" and, strength. Write
for circulars. C):e8Porta!n'a confidential.
-rvrR wrat.ttt attLIANCE CO.. roods 47-49
i Baf o Deposit bult". Bea-ttle. Wash.
ft
MFN 9re ewtfflSl4$
-