The Washington times., 1894-11-25

into the rainy darkneSS Oh tue HlSn ROAD. Inc
way was familiar.
For a while he was content to feel the buffet
ing caused by his rapid pace. ofwnd and rain
against his depressed head and shoulders. in
sheer brutal sense OF opposition and power;
or TO relieve his pentup excitement 10y dash
ing through oyerilowed gullies in the road,
or across the quaggy, sodden edges OF the
meadow land until he had controlled Red
! skins rebellious extravaganza into a long,
steady stride.
Then he raised his head and Strengthened
himself on the saddle-to think. But 10 no
purpose He had no plan; everything would
depend on the situation; the thought OF fore
stalling any action of the conspirators by
waning or calling in the authorities for an
instant crossed his mind. but was as instantly
dismissed.
He had but an instinct, to see with his own
eyes what his reason told him was true.
Day WAS breaking through drifting scud
and pewter-colored clouds as he reached
Woodyille Ferry. cbeckered with splashes of
the soil and spGme OF his horse, from whose
neck and TANKS the sweat rolled like lather.
Yet he was not conscious how intent had been
his purpose until he felt sudden instructive
shock on seeing that the ferryboat was gonel
For an instant his wonderful seli-possession
abandoned him; he could only gaze vacantly
at the leaden-coored bay without thought
or expedient. but in another moment he saw
that the boat was returning from the distance.
Had he lost his only chance!
He glanced hurriedly ar his watch; he had
come quicker than he imagined; there would
still be time. He beckoned impatiently to the
ferryman. The boat, a ships pinnace, with
two men in it.. crept in with eXasperating
siowness. At last the two rowers sullenly
leaped ashore.
"Ye might have come before with the other
passenger. We don't reckon to run lightnin'
trips on this ferry
But Clarence was himself again. Twenty
dollars for two more oars in that boat, he
said quietly, land $50 if you get me over in
time TO catch the down stage"
The man glanced at Clarence's eyes. Run
up ana rouse our Jake and SAM" he said TO
the other ooatmaa; then leisurely gazing at
his customer travel-stained equipment he
said
There must have been heap O. passen-
gers got left by last nights boat. You're the
second man that took this route in a hurry"
At any other time the coincidence might
have struck Clarence. But he only answered
curtly:
UNLESS we are under way IN ten minutes
you Will find I am not the second man, and
that our bargains OIL"
But here TWO men emerged from the shanty
beside the ferryhouse and tumbled sleepily
into the boat.
CidIEuCt StlLeu Ill extra pair Oh SOULS tldI
We're standing against the Sned and threw
them into the stern. 81 don't mind taking a
hand myself for theexercise. - he said quietly.
The ferryman glanced again at Clarence
travel-worn figure and determined eyes with
mingled approval and surprise. He fingered
with his oars lifted looking at hs passenger.
1T amt no business OF mine. young man.
be said deliberately "hut l reckon you under
stand me when l say that I've just taken an
other man over there"
Il do" SAID Clarence impatiently.
And you still want to goyn
Certainly" said Clarence. with a cold
stare, taking up his oar.
The man shrugged his shoulders. bent him.
self for the stroke and the boat sprang for
ward. The others rowed strong and rapidly.
the tough ashen blades springing like steel
from the water the heavy boat seeming TO
cap in successive bounds until they were
fairly bevond the curving inshore current
and cleavIng the placid, misty surface of the
bay.
G arence did not speak. but bent alb
stractedlv TO his oar. the ferryman and his
crew rowed in equal painting silence. few
startled ducks whirred before them, but
dropped again to rest.
In half an hour they were at the Embar-
cado. The time was fairly up; Clarence's
eyes were eagerly bent for the first appear
ance OF the stage coach around the little pro-
montory, the ierryman was as eagerly scan
ming the bare. empty street of the still sleep
ing settlement.
Il don't see him anywhere" said the ferry
man with glance, half of astonishment and
half of curiosity at his solitary passenger.
''See whomY' said Clarence, carelessly, as
he handed the man his promised fee.
The other man | ferried over to catch the
! stage. He must have gone on without wait
ing. You're in luck, young fellow"
II don't understand you" said Clarence
impatiently. What has your previous pas.
senger to do with me?
We'll, reckon you know best. He's the
kind OF man, gin rally speaking. that Other
men in powerful hurry don't care to meet
and as a rule don't foller It's gin'rally the
other way
"What do you mean?" said Clarence
sternly- who are you speaking of?'
The chief of police of San Francisco!
TO BE CoNTINUEE.