The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-04-02


" ReRHsissi0W a.
RANn. MfNAllY A ca
tCHAPTER VI-CoNTlNuEDl.
:: ~ the Tower wharf he landed. paid
his passag. and something over. and
walked away from the river. taking
several turns without hesitation or in
@ulry. and finally making due east for
some distance. Another turn to the
right brought him, as he had calcu-
hated. straight down upon the river
again at Wrapping. In the not very
Dcobable case OF any one having at
tempted to follow him from the neigh.
Soehood OF his Own houSs his rapid
voyage down the river and his devious
course through thes& thickly populated
streets uuat have Completely banned the
pursuit.. M sys,
He stepped down TO the water-Mde ana
eooked ut the half DOZEN boats lyinE
there. In Z moment he was surrounded
BY their owners. each voclferousiy
csaaminE thE passenger for his own
'eEaft. WaftAhfeds to be at once ene
He smiled, and chose the. one VINO
made the most noise. This was q
bright. open-looking young fellow who
gave every promise. Of being az COM
municative as could he wished. Before
they had gone half mile he had justi-
lied the colonel's choice Of him by re-
plying at great length to. four or five
tentative remarks; but though his COM
panion was keeping sharp lookout.
nothing seemed to give him the oppor-
tInity OF information he desired.
Az the corner at the lower end Of the
pool came in sight the colonel made
another attempt.
: you must have some interesting
characters." he said. down here among
the shipping and the Sailors"
-Yoa may say that, SIR" was the re-
My: there's all sorts in Lime'us. from
q spanking lass like Susie Gaylord
down to old Nan with her black teeth
and her fathom o. foul tongue behind
fem"
The colonel smiled This might be
amnaink, but 1t was not business, and
he put 1t by.
s.Ah. women" he said: mo doubt
they are always interesting; but was
thinking Of men, and stories of adven-
1ure at sea-
cay, ay, SIR" said the young man,
rtthere may be q tale or two about.
Out there's not much IN men, to my
anlnd: they're every one as like the
0ther.as row Of bottles; but the girls.
now, young and old, glib and glum.
stupid and smart uns-why, they're all
different, and ye can't but like to hear
about 'em ALL"
The colonel smiled again, but he was
tnwardly dissatisfied; he felt that he
was far from caring to hear about all
the fair ones In Limehouse. The boat,
under the combined force Of two strong
arms and ebbing tide, was swiftly near
ting its destination, and his opportunity
would soon have passed unused.
Il was clear that some means must
be found Of prolonging the CONVERSE
ton. for it would be difficult to open
another with so willing and so expan-
sive talker.
''It's a sharp morning." he said, "and
sc seems long time since breakfast; is
there house near where we could find
anything fit for thirsty man to
drink"
The boatman laughed knowingly, and
with an air Of pride in the locality.
There's the Outward Bound" he
said. where yen get better rum than
ever passed the customs up yonder;"
and he drew the boat into the landing
steps
That Will dc" said the colonel" well
take a glass. then, for good luck. for
oont mind telling you that I'm in that
1lne just now myself" f.
Are We. thought" asked his COM
panion, looking at him with more sym
Dathetic interest: why. 4 took We for
q Frenchy."
The colonel swallowed his national
bride and grinned sweetly.
am Frenchman." he said. '"but
Tn running free cargo for all that;
I'm down here now to look for smart
man who knows the trade"
/ They had left the boat and were now
we!dns In the direction OF a tavern
1acane the river. On the sign-board ap-
pesred o ship with all sails set, and at
NE masthead large triangular patch
g brilliant uitramarine. intended. no
doubt, to represent the blue-peter. the
9aSnai OF outward-bound vessels.
The interior Of the house proved un-
savory. 80 the famous rum was ordered
iiAv had entirely IN theynsalves ot +hi.