The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-09-03

| near voices Calling upon MN 10 stop,
but he only quickened his stroke, and
knew he should be at The Pough almost
as soon as any of them could get across
TO the towing. path, which was on the
other side of the river, and which was
by far the nearest way for foot-pass-
engers. At the inn he would undoubt-
edly fiid other boats like his own, and
who should say in which the fugitive
debtor had been helped across the riv-
err? Besides, the bailiffs couldn't do
anything beyond abusing him, if they
cared or dared to abuse him-even if
they knew to whom they owed the
spelling of the case. So he "spurted"
cheerfully down to The Plough, put up
his boat among several others like his
own, and sauntered into the smoking
room, where he vas soon engaged in q
game of bagatelle with one of the many
young gentlemen who were there, and
who were supposed, as he was, to be
spending their vacation at the Universi-
ty for the purpose Of studying ancient
languages or mathematic.. He was not
half through his first game when there
was heard from the towing.path tre-
mendons shouting, and hoarse cry of
Boat boat!"
He rushed out with the rest and stood
on the lawn whilst a boat went across
to the towing-path and brought over
about dozen persons, among whom
| there were two men who evidently
were in authority, for they ordered the
rest about in Il high and mighty man
ner, and one Of the two turning to the
lad in charge of the moored skiffs, asked
with the air of one who had a right to
ask: "which of these boats came in last
pray ,"
The boat-keeper without hesitation
pointed to Egerton's.
"And which Of you young gentle
men," continued the questioner, crow
ed down in this boat"
He was answered by careless laugh
from the knot of young men in flannel
garments and straw hats, and by a scorn-
full inquiry: "What the dickens has it
to do with you?"
The two men who assumed so much
authority consulted together, in a whis-
per, carefully examined Egerton's boat,
and then one of them having apparent
ly taken the measure Of the young oars
men, said civilly; "if you young gen
tlemen will come with us into private
room, think l can make it plain to
you what the dickens it has to do with
u.s."
The young oarsmen interchanged
looks of inquiry; and when Egerton ex-
claimed: "Oh ! come along; let US hear
what they have to say,"a a general move
was made towards the inn; and the two
men in authority and the young oars
men locked themselves in Il private
room, everybody else being left out
side.
| One of the two men Immediately
opened proceedings by saying in Sc
we're tone Of voice :"This is very serious
| business, gentlemen. l hold warrant
for the apprehension of a man. and here
is the warrant. We tracked the man !;
| found out the house where he has and
we had almost reached his hiding place,
when somehow or other he got wind of
it, and bolted towards the river. He
had goodish start Of us though he did
come down cropper land hurt himself,
| should say jumping a low wall but
we kept him in sight all across the COM
mon, and we saw him landed on the
other side OF the river by somebody in
one of these skiffS you young gentlemen
use, and dressed, as far as we could see,
exactly as you are dressed. If it was
one of you, we depend on you to tell
us which it was"
There was short silence, and then
one of the young oarsmen asked" What
had the man been doing?"
Gle is suspected" answered the
officer solemnly, "of doing murder"
There was a start and exclamation Of
horror amongst the young oarsmen, and
adj eyes were turned eXpcctantly to-
wards Egerton, who, pale as Il sheet, and
horror. stricken at the notion of having
aided murderer, could scarcely find
voice enough TO say: ~ put him across:
he said the bailiffs were after him."
81 daressy he did," remarked the Of
ficers drily "and now you have thrown
us off the scent. / suppose you didn't
see which way ho went?"
81 couldn't" answered Egerton dis
consolately she was hidden directly by
the wood and when he got to the top
Of the cart lane, there were five roads
for him to choose from"
EXACTLY" rejoined the officer bit
terly. 81 knew that; and the people
were knocked up, and my mate and l
couldn't go all five ways. You've made
a pretty mess. young gentleman"
sis there nothing can do ?" asked
Egerton aXiously.
"Should you know the man again ?"
inquired the officer
"Anywhere and in any disguise, l
think" asked Egerton, "for l watched
him carefully all the time / sat opposite
to him, and l noticed among other
things that he had lost his two front
teeth, and that he has an anchor tat
tooed on his left wrist"
"Did he throw anything into the
river p" asked the officer
Egerton started, as sudden recollec-
tion flashed across him, and he replied:
81 didn't see him drop anything in the
river, but l remember well that he
nearly capsized the boat by suddenly
turning round and back again, and that
afterwards l saw several circles in the
water, as ifa fish had jumped, or some
thing had been dropped in the river. IL @
said fish had jumped, but your ques-
tion makes me think ii waI not So"
Gould you point out the spot ?" in
quired the officer.
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