Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-09-30

fated Media, while in my case the sea
gave up its dead, that might aid in
bringing to justice the murderer of my
old friend.
Herbert Lathrop altered that will,
either directly before or after the muir
der.
at was an easy matter for n man
proficient with pen to add Il cipher,
and change a five to fifty, and it was
done. Then seeing that the provisions
of the will required no bond, what easier
than to insert the name Herbert La throp,
and the handling of John Loyd's for
tune was in his hands.
1.-THE fortune may have suffered much,
but I trust not. He was so anxious to
call your sister wife that he has hardly
dissipated much of it. and then, doubt
less ne was held in check by a knowl-
edge that your father and Clarence
would have an eye on him.
81 congratulate you most fervently,
young man, on the escape of your sis
Ter"
at has been. indeed. a narrow es.
cape" said Tom. "Then Herbert
Lathrop is responsible for the creation
of Black Beard?"
at would seem so, but I have not
yet concluded. Two months after draw
ing John Loyd's will, I took passage on
the Media for Europe; we were wrecked
but 100 miles from our destination, and
and crew were with but three excep-
tions lost. I was one of the three, a
New Yorker, named Murray, and Girls
4
We stuck to the wreck, and after four
days of the most terrible suffering, were
rescued, all others on board trusted q
the ships boats, and were overcome by
the tremendous waves, and lost.
My mind had become so affected by
the strain that until three months ago
[ was an inmate of an asylum in Eng
land, but fortune eventually smiled on
me, and I have regained my reason.
have now been home two weeks, but il
is not generally known, as my physi-
clan counsels rest of mind for vet an
other year, and do not care to take uI
the law again. Now if is only neces
sary for you TO go to the courthouse
and make affidavit of the facts which
you have learned. Warrants will be is
sued for the apprehension of Lathrop
and officers accompany you back and
apprehend him.
At five o'clock Gordon and Tom, with
two officers. boarded the Sunshine. but
it was vet 4 good half hour before shc
cast off lines; she delayed as long a!
could be done with safety in order tc
give those who desired to attend tn;
weddings an opportunity to do so
However, at $50 the little steamer go
under way, and it was expected that
she would easily reach Orion in two
hours, but by bad stroke of misfor
tune, she broke the shaft OF her pro
peller when off Town Creek, and yet
good nine miles from orion.
The jig is up said the captain
''here we lay all night, unless We sent
n boat back for a tug to tow us back te
town, were here for three or fou1
hours certainly. am sorry, but you'll
all miss the double marriage, unless
put you ashore, and you walk. and
haven't time to do that, as L must dis
patch a boat for help
Captain" exclaimed Tom, quickly
will you kindly put this party o:
shore? l must be at my brothers wed
ding"
w ny, yes, Tom, II you can struggle
through those swamps; it's past si1
now, you have an hour and a half t,
cover nine miles of swamp and sandy
ridges: it is impossible
81 think not, captain, if you-wi1l do st
quick. Horrell lives but three mile:
from here. I'll get rig from him t.
carry US from there on
True, you may get there in that way
but you'll be worth looking at before
you get out of the swamp.
'Mate, send these four gentlemen
ashore, then take four good oarsme1
and pull back TO town for a tug
The lieutenant, Gordon and the off
GERS were soon struggling through the
| swamp in the direction of Horrelrs
and there we will leave them and return
to Orion.