We camped on the outskirts of the village, and had hardly finished our
simple meal when gusts of wind and great drops of rain proclaimed the
coming of the storm. We looked anxiously about for shelter. There were
no barns near, but not far from the railroad track stood a house in
process of construction, and while doors and windows were lacking, the
roof and outside walls gave promise of sufficient protection. To this we
hurried and lifted the wheel onto the veranda just as a flood of rain
burst upon us. After a little search we found some nail kegs and sat
down in the front room. We were dozing when footsteps sounded on the
porch. I strained my eyes, but could see nothing in the pitchy
blackness.
Suddenly a light flashed in my face, the cold muzzle of a pistol pressed
my temple, and a hand gripped my arm.
“Get up there. None of your tricks now,” snarled a harsh voice.
The flash was turned on Dan, who was ordered to throw up his hands by a
second man, who flourished a revolver in his left hand. We stumbled to
our feet, dazed by the unexpectedness of it all.
“You’re under arrest. Better come quietly,” growled the first man
gruffly.
Dan tried to explain that we had only taken shelter from the storm and
had no intention of doing any damage, but was savagely ordered to shut
up. Grasping me tightly by the arm, the first fellow led the way out of
the building and down the road to the village.
Arrived at a tiny, wooden shanty, the man unlocked the door and crowded
us in. They slammed and bolted the door behind us and we heard their
footsteps retreating up the walk. As we stood, too bewildered to move, a
match flared in the darkness and in a moment the feeble rays of a candle
revealed the interior of the lock-up. It consisted of a single room,
partially divided by a partition, and containing two bunks. On one of
these sprawled a man, while a big negro held aloft the guttering candle
end. At sight of a woman the recumbent man sprang to his feet and
courteously bade us good evening. Without further ado or questioning, he
removed his hat and coat from the bunk where he had been lying and
suggested that we make ourselves as comfortable as circumstances would
permit.
At once the negro blew out the candle with the remark that we might need
it before morning.
As we settled ourselves as best we might in the darkness, flashes of
lightning revealed the dimensions of the one small, barred window, which
furnished all ventilation to the unfortunates within. Furniture,
drinking water or conveniences were utterly lacking and my flesh crawled
at the thought of the straw-covered bunk on which we must rest in the
confined space.
Hardly had we lain down, when the door was opened and a fifth person was
hustled in. Again the negro lit his candle stub, and we saw that the
newcomer was a boy of not more than sixteen years.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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