The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-12-06

"All right, Capt, think It's goou idea, as
it looks as though We might have n big storm
tonight, from the appearance Of that bank Of
clouds yonder," replied Bill, pointing off Il
the southwest
"Mokena Bend! why, what funny name
How did 1t come 10 be thus named? 2" asked
Belle Of the captain, AS she sat on the deck
watching 'he mud hens in the wild rice along
either side of the canal, for the boat had now
reached the Sag.
"Why, the way 1t came to be called MokenG
Bend was from the tact OF boat by the name
of MOkena having sunk there. They had
laid up for the night and all on board went 10 d
party somewhere i'll the ncighhOrhood; but on
returning nj daylight they found the boat Il,
the bottom of the canal"
"Dld anybody get drowned!' said Belle, alb
stractedly.
"Why, told you they had all gone away tc
n party said The captain, laughing.
oh, yes, go You did; but ! was watching Il
mud hen over there 50 attcntyely that did
not heed you She replied also laughing.
1t was about dark when the bend was reach.
ed, and after watering and feeding his horses
and also giving Patscy good supper-Dan
dy Bill the captain and steersman, filled THEN
pipes and took "a smoke. After smoking and
talking an hour or 50 they all turned in, ;" and
everything became quiet, save the dismal boot
ing of the owls in the trees along the tow-path
and the melancholy Croaklng of the frogs
along the canal.
Near midnight Bill,-vho was sleeping un
der an awning on deck, was awakened by a
low groWl from Palscy, who lay close beside
INN. Rising upon his elbow, hc looked from
under the awning, but could see nothing, j.
WAS SO very dark tUrthc bank of clouds, about
which he had remarked at supper, had over
cast the sky with their lnky blackness, and an
occasional rumhling Told that storm was APP
preaching. Listening a few moments, and try
ing III vain 10 penetrate the heavy gloom, but
hearing naught, he WAS about TO lie down
again when he imagined he heard slight
splash in the water near the stern Of the boat.
Rising to his knees he listened again, and in
few seconds he heard the sound IA second
time. They were strange sounds to hear in
this place, and at such Il time Of night and
Dandy, thinking that all might not be right,
whispered Il few words to Pascy, and then
started towards the stern of toe boat on his
hands and knees, followed closely by the dog.
Reaching the cabin he raised himsefcautiOus-
ly and looked over the top. At that instant
two dark objects sprang over the rail near the
tller, and one of them said:
Hist thought heard IA noise." Then,
&
are sure the girls in this cabin? Remember,
no bundcrs H0T.
The other replied in Il mutllcd voice; "Im
certain. The captain aud stecrsman are in the
bow ca'lin, ana the driver is with his team on
the bank, there is no one but the captains
wife and the girl below; we'll chlorotorm the
old lady, and then we can easily get the girl.
It's Il good thing the drivers out of the road
for he might make us trouble"
Then they nolselcssly slid back the hatch
and disappeared. Dandy was so amazed at
what he had heard that he was at II loss what
to DO. He had not long to make up his mind,
for they soon rcappcared, bearing Il heavy bur
den between them At this moment a flash of
lightning lit up the almost impenetrabIe dark
ness iOr an instant, and Dandy bcheld two
masked men just about to lower the figure of
a woman over the stern Of the boat
With leap and Il bound Dandy Bill cleared
the cabin, and the next second aimed a terrific
blow at the larger Of the two men. 1t was so
dark, however that he was not able to see dis
Inctly and his fist just grazcd the mans head.
Then there ensued Il fierce struggle. Dandy
found he had powerful opponent to deal with, |
but with an almost superhuman effort he GOT
his assailant by the throat, and was chokingi
the life out of him, when the man Casped;
knife him, quick Jack"
The fellow called Jack, let 90 his hold of
the girl and sprang toward the Struggling men
Just then a binding flash again lit up the
scene, displaying to view the second rutiian IN !
The act of pIunging a knife into Daudy's back |
There was low, savage grOwl, and swift as
thought a dark object sprang through the air |
hen "A cry Of pain and IA heavy splash in The |
water, for the man had stepped backward and !
over the side Of the boat Patsey still clnging |
. him. The man with whom Dandy was con,
ending, putting all his strength into one great
,tiort, broke from his grasp and sprang into
he canal
Dandy dove down into the cabin, and soon 1
eturned with lantern; but nothing could be
zen OF the two men. He then turned his at
cntion to the figure lying on the deck which
proved TO be Belle Lennon. Two heavy
Weights had been attached to her waist, show
ng their intention having been to drown her
" letting her over the stern of the boat into
he water. While busily engaged in freeing
Ter from her bonds, he heard couple of horses
-allop away up the tOw-path. He then reused
he captain and stcersman, and telling them IN
few words the situation, they went below
nd II was not long before they informed Dan
y that the captains wife was all right Belle,
Who had now returned to consciousness, was
SISTED down the cabin steps, and shortly the
hrec men came upon deck, leaving the two
ldles resting quietly.
Dandy now bcthought him of his dog, and
wing Il sharp whistle, he waited a few mo,
lenIs, but receiving no signs of his where
bouts, he whlstcd again. This time he was
answered by a low, pitiful whine, and Selling
ne lantern he started in the direction from
hence the sound came. lie had not gone far
hen he discovered Patscy lying close up to the
ank and partly in the water. When he saw |
is master, the poor brute began wagglng his g
Ill, and attempted to rise, but fell back with
yep Of pain. Dandy bent over, and lifting
he great, shaggy fellow III his arms took him !
n board the boat. An examination disclosed