The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-08-29

thought or expedient. but in another
moment he saw that the boat was re-
turning from the distance. Had he lost
his only chance?
He glanced hurricdly at his watch;
he had come quicker than he imagined;
there would still be time. He beckoned
impatiently TO the ferryman. The boat,
q ships pinnacc. with two men in IL.
crept in with exasperating slowness.
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
IL you get me over i'm time to catch the
down stage"
The man glanced at Clarence's eyes.
run up and rouse our Jake and Sam
he said TO the other boatman; then
more leisurely. gazing at his customers
travel-stained equipment, he said:
There must have been heap o pas
sengcrs got left by last nights boat.
You're the second man that took this
route in 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 off"
But here two men emerged from the
shanty beside the ferry house and tum-
bled sleepily into the boat.
Clarence seized an extra pair Of SOULS
that were standing against the she'd
and threw them into the stern. II don't
mind taking a hand myself for exer-
cise," he said, quietly.
The ferryman glanced again NJ Clar-
ence's travel-worn figure and deter
mined eyes with mingled approval and
surprise. He fingered a moment with
his oars lifted, looking at his passenger.
ut amt no business o. mine. young
man." he said. deliberately. but i
reckon you understand me when say
that I've just taken another man over
there"
II do" said Clarence. impatiently.
"And you still want 10 go?'
Certainly" said Clarence. with n cold
stare, taking up his oar.
The man shrugged his shoulders. bent
himself for u stroke and the boat sprang
forward. The others rowed strongly
and rapidly, the tough ashen blades
springing like steel from the water, the
heavy boat seeming to leap In success
sive bounds until they were fairly be-
yond the curving inshore current and
clearing the placid, misty surface of the
bay.
Clarence did not speak, but bent alb
stractedly to his oar; the ferryman and
his crew rowed in equal painting silence,
few startled ducks whrred before
them. but dropped again TO rest.
In half an hour they were at the En-
barcado. The time was fairly up;
Clarence's eyes were eagerly bent for
the first appearance of the stage coach
around the little promotory; the ferry
man was as cngcrly scanning the bare.
empty street of the still sleeping settle
ment.
II don't see him anywhere" said the
ferryman with n glance, half OF aston
ishment and half OF curiosity, at his
solitary passenger.
"Sec whom" said Clarence, careless
~ as he handed the man his promised
fee.
1.-THE other man | ferried over 10
catch the stage. He must have gone on
without waiting. You're in luck. young
fellow"
IL don't understand YOU" said Clar-
ence, impatiently. "Whnt has your
previous passenger 20 do with me?"
"Well, ! reckon you know best. He's
the kind OF man, ginrally speaking,
that other men in powerful hurry
don't care 10 meet, and as a rule /
don't foller arter. It's gin'rally the
other way"
what do you mean ?" said Clarence,
sternly "Who are you speaking off"
THE chief OF police of San Francis
col"