The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-01-25
rolling the ends loosely. ready to hIa

rolling the ends loosely, ready to his
hand.
Ice lined the banks of the creek, stiff
fening the rushes into bayonets; and
the heavy oars cracked in the rowlocks
at first. Put the midstream was clear,
and the slow-moving boat soon turned
into broad, black inlet that showed
them, straight ahead, the broad Poto-
mac, waveless and barely touched by
last rays Of the sinking moon. Warily
and slow Pete hugged the darker shore,
nosing his light, fat-bottomed slIiff
against the bank, biding his time Then
all listened intently; but the negro,
dropping his great hand from his ear,
spoke first:
"Da's de patrol boat, missy. Eff she
come up t'udder side rs gwine lay low.
Eff she come dis we's gwine out ter
meet 'er."
"Why, that's folly, Pete! We can't be
seen here" Evan began; but Miss Clay
broke in:
"Hush, Evanl We're only passen-
gers, and Pete is captain. I've crossed
with him only to learn that he knows
best"
.Reclxn yo's bout right, missy" the
black replied, quietly. "Da circus
bossy better do all de talk he got TO
we's, outen de creek. He boun' ter keep
pow'ful shet den, sholy."
The moon went down behind the up
river heights with a sudden dip. and
blackness fell like a cloak over the
bosom of the broad stream. The shore
line, just at hand, was barely discerni-
BILE; fifty feet ahead was as inky and
and shapeless as Acheron's pit. But
paddles were clearly heard nova
propeller turning rapidly; and the
sounds indicated close approach to the
northern shore. Then Pete ordered
quietly:
LAY lowl Bofe yo' lay in de hay
an, mini keep still. Efyo' moobes, di'
game dun loss, sholy."
Used to strange perils, both whites
lay close in the hay. Then Pete strucl
match and touched the light woot
knots piled on an earthen mound in thu
bow, by their flicker pulling the oi
cloths smoothly above them, leaving
scant space open for necessary air
Then, lighting his black corncob pipe
he grasped his paddle and shot tn
slSiff straight out into the stream, a
the patrol boat came abreast the creek
"Boat ahoy!" rang over the water, a
the bell clicked twice and the propel
Ter almost stopped.
"Patrul 'hoyl' was Pete's return hail
"It's only me, boss, Fishmun Pete"
"Where away?" came the hail again.
'Fur do flats low de bend" was tn
answer "I's gwine fire-fshin', 'pendir
on de ice in hind de pint"
"All right, Pete" the hailing Office
answered, recognizing the familia
voice of the unsupported negro. sc
ahead, and good luckl Wen be dow
after day; so have a good mess Of fs
for us"
"Sholy, Mars Patrul, ef ] hab en-
luck; ef sum o. de transput boats doaI
bodder me-"
"They won't bother you," came tn
answer. "But there's many one con
ing up. They'll run you down, II 20
don't keep your FIRE bright"
, "Ps gwine ter keep 'er bright, sholy
Pete called, as he padded downstream
/ might, Mars Patrull"
The propeller was churning IL
black water once more, Pete fast draw
ing away, aided by the current 3
turned In shore, pulled back the oi
cloths, as he rounded The point m
} dumped his torch overheard.
5 "Wipe yo' face, missy" he cautione'
thoughtfully. "De presferation mougl
r freeze, an yo's warm in da hay"
: "Rather," cried Evan; but he shiverC
: as he sat bolt upright, from suddC
r change.
r "Hc said many transports were in Il
river?" the girl queried, anxiously.
"He sayed II, sholy. missy" was q