The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-07-15

I can manage for while. Much 1ur
ther?" he asked.
"No." answered Wharton. pointing
ahead. "A few more strong pulls. San
ders. and you will nave saved the day.
They were heading for an impenetrablt
thicke,. barricaded by mass Of fallen
water-soaked logs. They were almos
upon the largest Of these. and Hilgerd
braced himself for the shock. 1t never
came for the boat. as Is moved BY hu-
man impulse. swerved swiftly to the
left. and grazing some low. overhang'
ing vines. glided through a narrow
channel into hidden pool.
Not q word. now. for you Hfe." said
Wharton. impresively. He drew his re-
volver and cooked It.
''Now. Professor. II rests with you who
will go first. You understand"
The prisoner silently bowed his head.
Several mi1utes passed In a silence that
almost made itself felt. Then came the
slight splash CT an oar.
"Wtls shall We do. Jake?' asked a
low voice. Keep on or turn ;r:o the
right branoh?"
ID II krow." came the gruff
reply. an then followed string Of
Startling sxlletiv6s touching upon bad
luck IN general, and their own in par
t!cular
"Reddy SAL they'd take the m1tn
bayou" said aE..her voice, in a hoarse
drawl
What in HI does Reddy know bout
1t, anyway" SNAPPED the gentleman
first addressed. "lf Teddy hadn't acted
Ike a blame mud-stAker. ana done as
he ought to hev did, We a tai those
blame chumps dead to rights. Reddy
b. id! You keep straight ahead
there. Smoky. and" An inserven-
ing clump OF bushes charitably smoth-
cred Jake's further remarks. and the
VOICES became a confused murmur,
gradually dying away into the night.
Five minutes passed. Wharton broke
the spell with laugh.
Professor, am afraid your proteges
are not in the habit Of freQuenting your
valuable library to any great extent.
Jake has talent, rhetorically speaking.
Why neglect him.
The Professor disdadned more than O.
grunt IN reply. and Wharton directed
Sanders to row across the pool. They
pulled the boat upon sort Of island.
dryer than the surrounding parts and
built fire. Htlgerd started to bring
something from the boat and Wharton
followed him down to where 1t was
pulled upon the sand. He came close
AMI spoke In Hilgerds ear.
Paul, things have taken an unex-
pected and disappointed turn.
There Is but one way l can see now
to discover any trace Of poor Newell.
ard that is through him." nodding his
head toward the stiM manacled cap
tive. II must talk to him and II Newell
as stifl alive I WILL promise him all pos
e,ble lenienccy II he will tell US where
to find him. 1t Is the only way, and
there h no time to lose. The gang
must, OF course, get out Of their pres
ent quarters, and they will not trouble
themselves to take Newell; do you un-
derstend?"
Perfectly" answered Hilgerd. They
returned to the fire and Wharton said
some thing in low tone to the profess
sor, who arose sullenly and followed
him of to one side. They sat on a log
Just inside the circle Of light which
threw weird, waving shadows of into
the dismal recesses Of the swamp.
Wharton bent forward speaking earn
estly. occasionally raising his hands
with expressive gestures. The profess
sor sat erect with the mien Of an In
dian chief. staring back with set WIS.,
age at the glowing embers where Hill
gerd sat with the collar OF his coat
thrown up. The damp air was pene-
trating. 1t was long before the council
ended and Hilgerd awoke from his doze
with a start as Wharton's hand fell on
his shoulder. He got up without word
and followed him down to the boat,
leaving the sleepy sheriff to stand
guard. Wharton's face was serious
and Hilgerd expected the worst. The
gray light Of an early morning threw a