The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-10-20
CHAPTER XVII.

could have crushed him, even as l
crushed the oaken table, but slight
pressure Of the forefnger on the trigger
Of the leveled revolver would have ended
my career as quickly as bolt from
heaven.
Inasmuch as I have no pistol and
you have the advantage Of me, surren-
DER
"Umph, no pistol What do you want
Of anything except your strength"
II give you my word that I will go
with you peaceably. Do you accept the
pledge?"
IT do" replied the officer, showing
his weapon into his hip pocket. 1.-THE
next thing is to get Mr. Discoe out Of
this and down to the boat"
I'm answer for him.
Without cutting the rope imprisoning
his ankles snapped it apart and jerked
him to his feet.
"You can't trust this scoundrel. I
will fasten his hands behind him."
The moment the handouts were re-
moved he made sudden, fierce effort
to break away. I knew he would do it
and hurled him against the side of the
house with force that caused him to
drop to the floor partly stunned. By the
time he fully legained his senses his
wrists were secured behind his back.
That would prevent his using the man
acles as a weapon and dealing me o
treacherous blow when off my guard
Grasping one of his arms, told the
marshal to lead the way. He did so,
Covey Cone bringing up the rear, while
the last seen of Steph he was staring in
open mouthed wonder at the strange
procession.
The deputy had done his duty faith
fully. Jake Huke was standing in the
middle Of the highway with his guard
at his post when we joined him. A min
ute later we were on our way to the
Palisades, scrambling and tumbling
down the steep path to where Captain
Green was awaiting us with his boat.
Our two misunderstanding myself
out Of account-wero through all
thought Of resistance. They mutered
few words to each other, but were ia
miliar enough with scenes of violence
not to attempt the impossible.
On the other shore Captain Green
mistook the point at which he intended
to touch, and the boat grounded several
feet from land. He was about to back
off. when said:
"Wait moment. I'll fix it,"
Stepping upon tho PROV, I easily
made the leap.
"Now hand me the rudder chain"
What are you going to do? Wait till
| back of.
Filing the anchor to me-"
He would have refused had not Mar
shall yelling ordered him to obey.
1.-THE big fool" muttered the disgust
cd skipper, picking up the pronglike
mass Of iron, and, throwing it to land,
so close to my feet that had to leap
aside to avoid being hit
tested the chain and saw that it was
strong. Then gave such vigorous
pull that the captain, who was stand
ing, went over backward.
When the Prov was within reach,
dropped the chain, and grasping the
boat itself backed away until the craft
was entirely out Of the river, with sew
eral feet Of dry land between its stern
and the current.
There was general laugh, but the
old man seemed to doubt the evidence
Of his own eyes.
Heavens O. nath, that must have
been an airthquakel How shall I get tie
boat back ag'ini'
'I'll do it for you"
Waiting until all the occupants had
left except the skipper, I again seized
the prov and ran toward the river,
showing the boat in front Of me. As be-
fore, the old gentleman had risen to his
feet, and as before he toppled over, with
an exclamation of amazement, a portion
Of which heard, and which was to the
effect that I must be satan himself.
Two days later Convey Cone was sit
ting in my apartments. We were alone.
smoking and at our ease.
~ was . DuAAoW bAuCuh AL youp
Westcott, but I think you've little to
fear"
"Why should I? You explained to the
that had nothing to do with
this counterfeiting business
But the worst of 1t was you did
have something to do with it. You
agreed to advance them $40, 900 to help
the thing along"
"But never did it."
'They wrote to you, reminding you
Of your agreement
"And you stole the letter, thereby
laying yourself open to unpleasant con-
sequences. But let that pass. You have
only their declaration that I was to in
vest in the enterprise. While God pun
ishes man for his motives, human law I
does not, 30 long as those motives do
not eventuate IN action.
II admit the force Of what Won saw