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

beats. Gradually they grew palmer
then suddenly ceased. pull gently
boys, until we get into the main chan
mel, and then, II the moon favors US,
think we can make It,"
Noiselessly they glided from the
buhy shore and in few minutes
struck the main current, down which
taey moved with Increasing speed. Soon
they entered one of the little lakes
(which dotted the swamp. Wharton
stood up and looked back. 1T is as
thought" he said. There Is the light.
v have traced US the shore and
He after us now in>no time"
\ Over to the right Of their course there
WAS an opening IN the woods, and
through this, back and forth, danced
the lanterns in the hands OF the pro-
{essor's men. One fitted toward the
ealbin. then back again, and now they
kross and recross each other like fire.
f6ies. After an interval they were all
punched together and then, one by
I one they went out
''rhey are coming now" said Whar-
ton, quickly.
Little islands. grassy marches and
1utting points Of hand glided by In the
Gloom, the tall trees in places standing
IN dim relief against the murky sky like
ssntries at their posts. Mile after mile
was traversed without word. the
eresk OF the row-locks the only break In
the black stiffness. They entered an
Other lake, larger than the others, and
when but short distance from the line
Of trees that fringed the bayou. Whar-
tons hand was raised with q warning
uotion. without relaxing his stroke.
Isltsrd looked back. A rift In the sour
ey1ng ciouds let Q soft glow rest upon
thA ,choppy waves, and in this he
eauGht the loom of moving black OBJ
5est In their wake.
'1t y 1ust Q mile across this lake."
hs 6oard Wharton's voice saying, calm
d, ~aaA II We can lead them hundred
Vaeo0 at the entrance to Murphy's
essek. We can bid them final good
nighG There 10 Q hiding place near Its
AeaA waich hardly think they know
ok. Il they do. we must have 1t out on
6nt principles. and II not, you and
eanAers may rest peacefully on your
earl. No doubt you"
Zip-and glancing bullet splasheo
me water In their faces. humming
opitsfully as It sped on Its way. A jet
ef~aame lsspsd from the black object
ln Ghs ress, followed by the reverberat-
sng crack Of . rifls. Wharton's mouth
CLOSED like trap.
''pngagemsnt opened by the enemy"
exclaimed f1ilgerd breathing hard.
"yes, they are trying our range. and
e1iaa little short. We will give them an
other triaa bsIors showing our hand"
They ned not long to wait. Another
aash-and the leaden missile whistled
- o,oss overhead ahat Hilgerd and the
ehsriR tnwoluntarily ducked together.
wharton never stirred.
s~Ihey'rs improving some" said ne,
Rrhaly. "Turn about Is fair play"
n swung the 3s-caliber Winchester to
his shoulder with the easy grace Of q
born rileman. a master Of the wea-
pom he poised It lightly. his attitude
a artistic study. A they rose on q lit
~ swell, We fred. Clink clink! went
the ,lever, and the second report seemed
but an echo Of the hrst. The pungent
fumes Of the burnt powder hung closely
aboHt in the moisture laden air. No
sound came from the pursuers to indi-
cets ne SsRsct Of the rhots. but the dis
sancs betwsen them gradually widened.
I'VE probably disabled one Of her
propslles0,". said Wharton. throwing in
another she'll. "1yhe mouth Of the creek
q sight over there. and we ought to
S,ea3 xhee, naai1v into IT," TIil9erd's