Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-10-28

SIDE. sides, VINO are your ne ADDED COM
batively, holding his lantern in the Others
face. You amt no licensed waterman
you amt nobody of these parts. Why, you
amt nothin but bloomin furriner, as can't
asst for drop o. beer in plain Englishr'
Anyhow" said Gordon decisively, 81
shall take the man I've engaged. He's more
likely to get through this fog than a man
who doesn't know the river WE'LL" and
turning to me he would have persuaded
me to return to the carriage and go no
further, but resolutely refused to accede
to this proposal, feeling that the least ]
could do was to stand by him to the last.
You will wait here till we RETURN" said
Gordon to the driver as he gave me his arm.
The man, evidently disconnected by the
unlocked for turn of affairs, responded with
a sullen nod. looked around for the con-
federate, but he had disappeared.
The waterman, carrying the lantern, de-
scended to the waters edge with a swing
ing gait, and we followed at his heels.
Then he left us to fetch his boat. olsen
gagged my hand from Gordon's arm that he
might be free to defend himself in case of
attack, my reason being swayed by con-
flicting feelings Anything might happen,
| knew not what. Would these men, baked
in the design to get Gordon into their boat,
attempt to seize him now? 1t was posi-
BILE, but it seemed to me more probable
that in view of an alarm being raised by
the waterman they would follow us to Fer
ryboat stairs and make the attempt nearer
to the Joy, where they might have the
assistance of Putty or any other agents en-
ployed in the affair. Nevertheless every
sense was on the alert to catch n sign of
movement in the still darkness that sur
rounded us.
The lantern bobbed up and down as the
boatman scrambled from boat to boat until
he reached his wherry and pulled into the
shore. We got into the boat and seated
ourselves in the stern. The waterman set
the lantern at our feet and pushed off.
THE light amt no manner O. good to
me-" he explained. I've got to feel my
way acrost. The tides a-runnin out about
three-quarters, and shall know by the wash
of it pretty well whether my boats right
for the JOY"
Not much danger of being fouled by
anything tonight" Gordon remarked.
mo, sir; there amt nothin but the police
boat movin tonight and no craft lying in
the Pool betwixt this and Doggets' crick"
Nevertheless before we had gone couple
of yards we ran into something-what it
was could not be discovered, for by the time
Peter Mech had lifted up the lantern
nothing could be seen either ahead or along
side of US.
II lay it's them dangnation furriners
a-foulin us out of spite. If it had been a
Englishman, he'd "a swore at us like n
man"
He replaced the lantern and took the oars
again. For some time he rowed in silence;
then, after a pause, he growled out some
particularly strong words in an undertone
and pulled with one oar only. The mutter-
ing ceased, and he laid himself to both oars
with redoubled vigor. Presently he paused
again, and with another outburst of forcible
expressions tugged at one oar viciously.
After third repetition of this singular be
havior he said in reply to Gordon question:
What's the matter, master? Why, this
is the most mysterious thing ever l knowed.
l Keeps on a-draggin and a-draggin of her
up, and it pears like as if she KEEP ON a goin
down. l can't get any way on her any
hows. And we ought to be right over by
this time You don't see meier glimmer
of light, do you?"
It's as black as the deuce all round"
We'll, we're bound to get the way ON her
now if GIBBS is GIBBS" he muttered as he la
bored at the single oar Then, after pull.
ing in silence for a minute or two, Mister,
it don't seem to You like as if you heerd
anything hut my oar a-goin, do it;"
No"
That's a good I'm too. Bother me if
don't think l can smell that taller ship
a-layin off Eoggets' crick. Cuss me if It
amt taller too. Here, look at this" he
cried suddenly, after leaning over the side
and dipping his hand in the water. Were
agOin quicker than the tide"