Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 June 1891 — CHUB. [ARTICLE]

CHUB.

A Romance of West Virginia.

BY DAVID LOWRY.

CHAPTER XVII.

ts THE COUNTERFEITERS* CURIOUS CABIN. As he spoke, Hank Dawson darted forward and caught the arms firmly In his great hands. “ Don’t! Don’t! You’ll break my bones,” said the man as he writhed. “I don't care if Ido.” Hank lifted the man up on his feet by sheer main strength. “There now. What does this mean, Chub?” “You can see for yourself, dad.” Hank, still grasping the man’s wrists, glanced at the man lying on the ground. “Why, if it ain’t Hash —or the man as calls himself Bash.” “I reckon he’s hurt pretty bad.” Chub bent over Mr. Bash and assisted him to a sitting posture. Bash sat up, looked around like a man just aroused from slumber, and looked Inquiringly at Hank Dawson. By this time half a dozen of the men and boys who had followed Hank Dawson approached the spot, with wonder depicted on their countenances. “What is it?” Mr. Bash felt his head, then rose to his feet. “Why, don’t you know?” said Hank Dawson. “It’s not strange if he doesn’t, dad,” 4aid Chub. “ ’Pears as if he doesn’t know wherh he is yet.” said Dawson. “This fellow.” said Chub, pointing to the man she held at bay—“this Dick Treddle can tell you. If ho doesn’t, I’ll tell. ” Dick looked sullenly on the ground as Hank whipped a handkerchief out of his pocket and bound his hands behind him quickly. “Mr. Bash and me were standing here, or just over there. We didn’t suspect there was any one near us. I was telling Mr. Bash this would be a good place to make a corner where no one would find one, when I heard a shot. • The coward meant for Bash —but he missed. I wheeled, saw a whiff of smoke and tried to make out who was there. It took some time, then, seeing the vines move in there, I fired. “There wasn’t a sound. I waked around right here in front of this roundtopped rock, and Mr. Bash walked around the other way. Just as 1 got here there was another shot, and I hurried and found Mr. Bash lying on the ground, with Treddle there standing over him. “I had my rifle on him in an instant. I kept it on him and called, and he swore awful—you heard him, I reckon, Dad?” “Yes, I heard him.” Hank Dawson looked as though his hearing was as keen as his desire to mete out punishment to Treddle. He turned on him abruptly. “Where’s the other fellow?” “What fellow?” There must be two of you. ” “There just ain’t, then. ” “No use lying, Dick Treddle.” “I ain’t lying.” “You are here alone. What are you doing?” “Find out, Hank Dawson. * “I will. ” Hank and Bash, who was none the worse for the blow that stunned him — Treddle had clipped his hair with his bullet, then struck him with the butt of his gun as he fell, rendering Bash wholly unconscious for the time —immediately approached the cabin formed between the rocks, while the others stood near them. “Hello!” Bash’s e.xclamatiqn was natural. There, just beside the entrance to the cabin, were articles with which Mr. Bash was familiar Numerous dies, bright drops of metal sparkling on the ground, various tools were lying near. While Bash was examining these, directing Hank Dawson's attention to them, Chub darted past them into the rear of the cabin. The rear of the cabin was dark. But Chub was fearless. Besides she was firmly convinced that her affianced was near by. Something in her heart told her he was near. She was in a flush of excitement as she peered about in the back part of the cabin. While h>r father and the detective were talking, pointing out this and that tool, they heard a quick, low exclamation from the rear of the cabin. “It's(hub —she’s found something.” Hank was going back when Bash said, “Well, let’s strike a light.” His action was suited to the word.. A light was struck, and Hank Dawson and the detective walked back to the rear of the cabin or hut. There they beheld another opening, leading still farther back between the two rocks, through which Chub had disappeared. “Where in the name of all that's wonderful has she gone?” demanded Hank Dawson. “Here! let's get a b%tter light,” said the detective He looked about him, and at last found a lamp, which he lit Meanwhile they could hear Chub talking to some one. ’“She’s found him! She’s found him, Bash!” exclaimed Hank. “There's some one. I hope it is Dan Bash. ” They walked back, where Chub pressed in the darkness. But Chub had an infallible guide—the voice of her lover. Yes, it was indeed the voice of the missing bridegroom Chub heard as she stood in the back part of the rude hut It was like a moan, but to Chub's acute ear it sounded like “Belle” —the name her lover called her. It was then that Chub darted back through a door she had not noticed till that low sound fell upon her eager ear. She felt her way cautiously but quickly as she hastened to the back room, and there, reaching out a hand, guided only by a pencil of light that stole in from the rear, she felt around until her hand touched a rough ladder. Passing both hands over this to assure herself her surmise was correct, she heard a second time that sound. It was then she exclaimed: “Oh! Dan! I'm here—coming—coming. ” This was the sound that brought her father and the detective to the rear, to

the ladder, down which Chub had swiftly descended. As Hank Dawson reached the ladder he called: “Where are you, Chub?” “Here, dad! Oh! quick—quick. Help me to get him out of here!” “I told ye.” said Hank Dawson, nodning to the detective. He descended the ladder immediately. Bash held the lamp overhead. “My God! It’s Bash, sure enough!” the detective heard Hank say, as he held the lamp. “Cau I help you down there?” “I reckon you can. ” “No, no,” said Chub, vehemently. “I’ll help lift him, dad. I’ll go first, holding his head. ” The detective could heir a strong voice answer: “There’s no need. If you’ll unbind my feet and my arms, I can manage after awhile to get up myself. ” As Hank reached up the ladder for the lamp, the detective descended. Together the three looked at Dan Bash as he struggled into a sitting posture after he was unbound. His captors had tied his ankles firmly together, and then had tied his arms. He was lying on his side in a very painful position, when Chub found him there in the dark. “Don’t —don’t touch that arm, please, ” he said to Hank. “Sore?” “It's broken. ” “Broke, Dan!” Poor Chub's tears rose unbidden. They overflowed in spite of her. “Yes —broke in two places, I’m afraid. ” He sat upright, moved his feet, and looked at them. “Just wait until the blood circulates.” “Here! I reckon 11l help it on a mite.” Hank uncorked his pocket-flask, and, pouring out a stiff drink in the cup of the cover, handed it to him. Dan Bash gulped it down eagerly. “That ought to help some,”said Hank. “It does. I feel it now. ” “What kind of a hole is this, anyhow? 1 ' said Hank, looking around him. “Seems like a hole in the ground.” “That’s just what it is,” said the detective. “See! Here is the face of a rock. They’ve found a large cavity here by accident —dug a little more earth out, shaped it into this queer shape, and used it for the Lord only knows what. See! Why, there wasn't much work to be done. Here’s a rock on this side and a rock on this side. We re between two rocks with straight sides, or faces. ” “That's so,” said Hank, examining the place curiously. “If there were vines hero it would be the place I dreamed about,” said Chub. “You droamed.l was lying here?” said the lover, quickly. “Y'es —but there was room for the sun to shine down on you.” “So there is—or ought to bo. They’ve cpvered me up—kept the dayligm out, ” said Dan, sadly. “F’eel like movin’ yet?” Hank asked in a sympathizing tone. Dan made an effort, and succeeded in mounting the ladder with the help of Hank Dawson’s strong hands. He moved with difficulty. He was weak—faint with hunger and pain. “Is that daylight out there?” “Yes, Dan,” said Chub, as she held his sound arm, and walked to the door of the cabin, followed by her father and the detective. , “Thankt God!” said Dan, as. he put his hands up over his eyes, which were blinded by the sudden light. The crowd gathered near the rude hut cheered the moment they beheld him. “It s him—Dan Bash! Hurrah!” The cheers that were sent up from Baldy echoed from the mountain side to the road far below. They were caught up by the searchers below and echoed again across the other mountain slope, until the sound of rejoicing was heard full live miles over the mountains. Everybody within sound of the voices that cheered until their voices grew hoarse knew the missing bridegroom was found.

CHAPTER XVIII. DAN BASH’S AWFUL EXPERIENCE. “That was a mighty close call,” said Hank Dawson, as he viewed the man all Pine County was interested in now. “You look mighty bad. ” “Had nothing to eat?” the detective asked. “Once only.” “Well, this won't hurt ye a mite,” said Hank, handing Dan a piece of bread and a biscuit made by Chub. He also gave him a piece of cold meat. “That’s Chub's biscuit, Dan.” Dan only smiled and whispered something to Chub that nobody could hear. “Think you can sit on a horse, Dan? I don’t see no other way to get you out of this lonesome hole It’s about tbe ornariest place I ever set eyes on. I didn’t think there was such a mean piece of ground in the .State as this is.” “I think I’ll manage.” But it was taxing his strength. The detective was compelled to walk on one side of him, while Hank Dawson walked on the other. And that was the way Dan Bash was brought out of the heart of Haldy. After lie was out on smooth ground the detective returned to the cabin, to collect all that could be found there that would be serviceable in the proceedings he foresaw they would uecessariiy figure in.

He had willing hands to help him. ■Vyhile Chub and her father were making their way home with Dan Bash carefully, the detective was engaged with three or four, assistants iu carrying off all the tools and material that were found in the cabin the counterfeiters had concealed themselves in for so many years. That the place had been occupied for years was evident to all who were present I will leave the counterfeiters' tools and their caretakers, and Treddlc. the captive, in the hands of the detective, and follow Chub' and her iover as they journey home. As Dan regained confidence and strength he sat up like his old self on the saddle—he was an elegant figure on a horse, was Dan Bash—and looked at Chub gratefully. “Belle—do you know I owe my life to you.” “Why do you think so?” Chub asked, as she blushed. “Those murderers intended either to murder me or to starve me to death. Chub shuddered. “Tell me all about it,” said Chub. “Yes,” said Hank Dawson, who was within ear-shot: “I m just achin’ to know all about this strange business. I’ll bet it'll make a big stir all over the country—this stirrin’ up of a gang such as the Monks. ” “Yes—l’ve been of some use in my w'ay,” said Dan, smilling “I’ve sent for a doctor to meet us by the time you get home —you'll need more than one, may be, before that arm’s fixed. But tell us how you fell into the hands of that tarnal mean, murdering

crowd." “It’s a short story. You know how much reason I had to be on the lookout for the gan£. ” “I do indeed, Dan,” said Chub. “I thought you would surely keep a sharp lookout.” , “I did. When I got ready to go to your house, instead of riding on the road, I cut off on a by-path and kept on the mountain side, where I thought I would have an oppdrtunity to see any one who might be concealed. You | kuow they swore there would never be I any wedding.” I “Yes, I know,” said Chub, in a low : tone. ! “Well, I was riding along all right, ! when the strangest thing happened. A j tree fell right across the path 1 was on. It would have pinned me to the earth had I not sprung quickly off my horse. As it was, a limb torn off in the crash —a big limb —struck my arm, knocking mo to the ground and breaking my arm. It was almost the size of a tree. The manner in which I fell prevented me from twisting from under it, aud it settled down on me, pressing me flat against the ground.” j “Oh! That was dreadful,” said Chub. “The body of the tree struck tbe ! horse’s flank. He bounded, but was j caught among the branches. He made I tremendous struggles. I could see him j flounder, but he probably was not se- | verely injured; but the broken, jagged branches doubtlees hurt him. One small broken branch cut my head—you can see the mark. ” He held up his hand. “That explains where the blood came from,” said ChuD. “What blood?” “Y’our horse came galloping up to our fence long after the time you should j have been there. I saw blood on the saddle—and marks on your horse.” “You must have been frightened greatly. ” . “It was terrible, Dan—terrible. ” “It has been terrible for both of us. ” “Yes, but you, you have suffered a thousand fold more than I have. But you have not told us all. ” “No. Well, I lay there, held to the ground by the big broken limb, until I thought I would die. 1 triod to free myself. I tried to move away from under it—to slip out from under it—but every time I moved, it seemed to settle heavier upon me. ” “That was enough to drive you crazy. ” “I thought of you—or it might have. Then I tried to get a hand in my pocket for my knife. I thought if I could get it out, it would be possible to dig a hole in the ground large enough to let me work out from under the limb that way. ” “That was awful.” “I did not know then—nor until they found me—that the limb was not broken clean off the tree. A great big sliver—.a, tremendous splinter—and the bark held it to the main trunk, and it settled down just as the wind shook it, or I moved under it. ” “Could anything be more horrible than that,” said (hub. “I can’t imagine it,” said Hank Dawson. “It beats all I ever heard of. ” “I got my knife out at last. I worked at the ground near my side. But it was so slow, oh, such slow work. ” “Poor Dan—it was enough to turn your mind. ” “I believe I might have freed myself in time, but just as it began to look as if I would be able to free myself, a loud ‘hello’ attracted my attention. I answered. Think how long I had been lying there!” “How long were you under the branch, Dan?” Chub asked, fearfully. “Until some time last night, or early this morning.” I Chub uttered a cry of terror, j “What! All that time!” I “AH that time—it seemed ages—ages to me!” Hank Dawson turned to look at him. “Out ail that time! Under a big limb—pinned under a limb to the ground! I wouldn't believe any one could stand it! And with a broken arm!” “We will nurse you into good spirits again,” said Chub, in a low,tone. “I am in as good spirits now as I ever will be, Belle,” said Dan Bash. Then Chub had to tell him her dream. As he listened, Dan Bash looked very grave. “It’s a strange story, Belle, The dream is very near the truth. See how I was held under the big limb. I was covered with the branches. I could not move—could only turn and look up through the leaves. Then, when they took me from the branch, they put me in that hole you found me in. And that, too, was like your dream. A crevice in the earth—just roofed in a little with earth and stones —and no way to work out —rocks on each side. It was very much like your dream!” ! “Well, we’re back to plain facts now,” said Hank Dawson; “aud the plain facts is, we’ve got the hull Monk gang by the neck and heels, and if we don’t pitch them into, the peuitentiary, why—it won't be my fault.” “They deserve to be put there for what they’ve done to you,” said Chub. “Yes,” said her father, iff a low tone; “and with the witnesses we’ve got agin them we'll make ’em wish they’d never seed Dan Bash. We’H make ’em swear they'd run ten mile just to get around his shadow. ” And Hank Dawson shook his head. He meant it. He was in dead earnest. [TO BE CONTINUED. |