The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-12-04
PAUL'S PROMISE.

night two men rowed boat along
the shore, anchored near this point
and got ready their fishing tackle.
They lighted pipes and began to
talk. The shore was a desolate one.
No living things save bats and night
hawks were stirring, and there
seemed little danger of listeners. Yet
if it had not been quite so dark the
fishermen might have seen that
there were two living things near
them.
A big tree had blown down on
the shore years before, and its bark
less trunk still stretched over the wa
ter close to the surface. On this log
were two boys.
Being also fishermen, they were
about to give friendly greeting to
the newcomers when something that
was being said caught their atten-
ton, and they kept quiet.
Though the men spoke in low
tones, the night was still so that their
voices were carried distinctly over
the water. The boys on the log
could hear and understand.
Its an easy way Of maxim money
if it's done right-as I do it." one of
the men was saying. "We'd make a
good thing out of this. There's a
lot Of the opium, an there isn't much
danger either"
Don't know bout that-seems to
me there's danger enough" NUT
tered the other.
There's not much" went on the
first speaker, who sat in the boats
stern. 1.-THE officers at the patrol sta
ton are a careless lot-asleep half the
time, and the people about here are
afraid Of me. They'd rather see any
amount of smugglin than doanything
than get me down on them. MAKEUP
your mind, Sandy, for the sooner
we do it the better. Let's say to-
morrow night. There's no moon
now to trouble Us. This is a good
place to slip over, right here. Well
only be few minutes rowin across,
and there'n be a horse an wagon
waitin for US on the Yankee shore"
Sandy finally gave his assent, and
after some more talk the man who
seemed the leader said, stAll right,
then Now let's leave this fshin. 7
only came because I wanted a quiet
little talk with you"
The anchor was drawn up, and if
St had not been for a black bass the
boat would have moved quietly off
into the night.
This black bass as 1t swan along
by the shore happened to notice the
bait on one of the hooks that were in
thewater near the big log. Itseized
the bait, and being an active fish, like
all black bass, it gave the line sud-
den, sharp jerk. The pole was loose
" held, for just then the boys were
thinking little Of their fishing, and
this jerk caused it to fall from the
boys hand and strike the log. The
owners endeavor to catch the pole
only added to the noise.
Hold onp cried the man In the
boats stern, twhst was thats Quick,
Sandy! row up to that log, there's
something movin On iti'
The boys tried to scramble ashore
and might have succeeded had not
one Of them in his haste slipped and
fallen into the water. His compan-
ion stopped to pull him out and both
were captured.
The men lighted lantern they
had with them and examined their
prisoners. 'aThis one that's just had
ducEn is Master Dugo, an the
other one is young Hardie," said the
man IN the boats stern ''Now,
boys, I suppose you know me, Joe
McGregor, an you know I'm not q
man to NEEDLE with. You've heard
our talk, an now you've got to prom
ise to keep quiet about it, an if you
break your promise I'll make you
wish you'd never heard Of mel I'm
going right along as if you hadn't
been here tonight, and you see that
you do too. Do you understand
Now promise"
The boys were go completely in the
power Of this uan-whom they
knew to be a desperate fellow, sus-
pected Of all sorts Of crimes-that
they did not hesitate. Both took q
solemn oath Of secrecy.
Remember" said McGregor as
they were allowed to jump ashore,
ssif hear Of any informing I'll know
who has done it, an I'll have my re
venga You'll learn what it is to get
Joe McGregor down on you'll"
The boys hurried over the field to
ward the village.
''Wen, we're in luck" said George
Hardie, the larger boy. ~ expected
McGregor to drown Us, after catch
ing US listening in that way. He's
equal to anythingl"
Phil Dugro, a slender Lad Of Is,
was trembling violently. He had
had a chilling bath in the river and
besides he was greatly excited. Il
wish we hadn't been forced to prom
iset'' he exclaimed ''McGregors
smuggling ought to be stopped.
''Oh, I don't worry about that.
The government can stand it. This
is not case where patriotism comes
in. If necessary, I'd fight for my
country-qick as any one. But this
is different. It's no business Of ours. :"
sWell, however that is, said Phil,
'swe've promised to keep quiet about
it, so now there's nothing that we
can do"
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