Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-04-07
CHAPTER XIV.

THE PLUME HUNTERS DINNER PATTY.
The one eyed man, Billy Mutt, and his
friend and partner, whose name was ap-
parently Hank, without further attach
mcnt, made a livelihood by transgressing
the laws of the United States and supply
ing u strong demand. Ladies of society
wished for cgrct plumes and other feathers
for external adUrnment, and the Seminole
Of the Everglades desired corn whisky for
his stomGch's sake, and white game rcgu-
lations forbade collection Of the first, In
dians' protection acts vetoed lawful dis
tribution Of the second. And for the trans
gressor there were distinct and heavy pen
altics.
But, to begin with, States law does not
carry very far in the Everglades of Flor
ida, which Is the home Of outlaws, and in
the second place Mr.. Mutt and friend were
both wanted on several counts already.
among which unjustiiiable homicide
ranked high, so that they were men en-
tirelv reckless and inclined to lock upon
poachinS and Illicit whisky peddling to
the aboriginal rs the nlildest of mild Pee
cadilloos. Moreover, as in furtherancc cf
their business they were extremely well
armed and apt to shoot first and reflect
aftcrward when annoyed, they were not
persons TO be argued with by any of the
more gentle methods.
The three mon on the steamer were in
no way prepared tn receive these dubious
visitors-werc, In fact, completely obliv-
ious of their approach, being still chained
in the dcadcst slumbcr. The sun had
dropped below the tree tops, and already
tho night noises OF the forest were becin-
ning-thc rattle of csicscts and toads in
the trees, tbs grunting of the bullfrogs in
fff..G h.. a -, .
and the warm nun of the never sleeping
mosquito. In the darker tree aisles there
commenced the brief light snappings Of
flreilies, and in the black Swallowed water
of the bayous were other phosphorescent
glows, like these, only coming from the
eyes Of some rrowling alligator.
The sloop ran down her jibtopsail, and
rs tho iron hanks screamed along the stay
negro trottcd nimbly out along the fiat
bowsprit top to secure the sail in its gas
kets. The wind was dropping with the
sun. and because the current raced man
fully down the blight where the stranded
steamer was lying the sloop made but q
fathom or so TO the good by every board
across the river. The one eyed man danced
barefoot tattoo Of fury ON the floor boards
Of the cockpit mt this slowness, and his
loose liinbod partner. who still sprawled
on the cabin roof, chuckled with easy
amusement. But the breeze held long
enough for their purpose. They ran up
above the steamer. and the stream ground
their planking against the rust strsaked
iron. A pair OF dayit falls hung down,
with the blocks weed covered in with wa
ter, and overhauling enc of these they
made IL fast round the bits. Then,
swarming up the other fall the whole
five Of them gained the bridge deck above
lnstinctively when once their feet were
on the warm gray planks each man. black
and white. handled his weapon ready to
fight any one. as might be demanded of
him. but no one appeared to seek explana-
ton OF their presence. and from staring
about them they took to staring at ono
another rather fooiishly. II one has been
expecting a brisk game of murder, ard
one meets with empty silencs, it rather
spoils the sequence OF ideas.
Come to think OF IL" said Hank In an
oppressive whisper, ''if there'd been an
anchor watch, they d have hailed US before
we got this fax bet the old mans asleep
In the charthouse 'Twouldn't be q bad
Idea to bottle him.
He battered across the deck, right hand
inside his shirt bosom. pistol gripped in
that, and pccred in through the open door
Inc place was tenantcd by oliving thing
larger than flies and cockroaches. He
drew back half scared by the eeriness ot
u, and then reckoning his mates headed
'nem down the companion ladder. tread