Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-09-10
A DAREDEVIL DEED.

Aete was uO lHOOH. IL lie ulguC
was per feet one. The vaulted
heavens were studded with stars.
which scintillated with faultless
brillianey.
ut is strange they do not come, +"
muttered Lawton, as he impatiently
paced the beach. '1f he keeps mon
keying around with those pigtails,
we'll be nabbed yet"
Joe McAllister, ostensibly fish
erman, was the only confidant and
fellow worker Lawton had. A
sharp, shrewd Scotchman, hard
headed and Us cool as ice in times
of danger, Joe had more than once
acquitted himself to his companions
full satisfaction. Of medium height,
with a scrubby, sandy beard, cover.
ing nearly his entire face, he pre-
sented somewhat ludicrous ap-
pearance, but glance at the small,
sharp, gray eyes, which cleaned
from beneath his heavy eyebrows,
would convince the beholder that
Joe was no fool. His sunburned
countenance was surmounted by a
shock OF coarse, rebellious, red
hair, which had fashion of peep.
ing out from under ,he rim of his
hat with impuderce Characteristic
of the wearer.
Light footsteps were heard jog
ging along the road, and, while sat
listed it was McAllister with the
contraband Cinnamon, Lawton, with
his usual caution, stepped into the
shadow of tree until reassured by
a short, low whistle, which he ans.
wered.
Show many 2" was Lswton s sa-
iutation.
"Four."
"Humphl You'll get us caught
yet, Joe, with your tagging back.'
Hoot, mon! Ye dinna ken the
twirls ard twists of these jibberin
divils. They're like lot of old
women with their chatter
"Well, be quick" said Lawton,
with the imperious air of command
natural to him. "And the pay ?"
"I've got it, mon, 5000, right in
my pocket. Dye suppose I'd bs a.
foolin wild them if not? Indeed
no."
AT signal from Joe four shad-
owy forms glided out of the dark
ness, and with chattcriug teeth took
the places indicated for them in the
stern of the boat.
Joe aud Lawton silently Invested
themselves of their coats, aud shov-
ing out into the stream pulled swift.
ly toward the shadow of the island.
huggipg its protecting gloom until
they cleared the point. Here they
rested upon their oars, listening in
tently for sounds of pursuit.
The smuggling of Cinnamon had
gone on to such an extent that the
United States government was max.
ing extra efforts to put stop to it.
A system of patrol had been in
augurated extending along the line,
and it was hazardous undertaking
to run the gauntlet.
The current of the river as it
struck off the American shore set
in toward the island which divided
1T, causing it to recoil with much
swiftness, quickly sending them
down stream.
Their destination being a point
below, where their cargo would be
met by conveyance and then driy.
en- inland to catch an early train
Tor the west, Lawton and his COM
panlon lost no time in pulling for
the Michigan shore. The oars we're
muffled, so there was complete ST.
lence.
Suddenly the regular dip of oars
Was heard, tue length of the stroke
designated to the quick ears of the
smugglers the presence of trained
sailors pulling in man of war sty lie.
With set teeth the fugitiyes-for
such they had become-shot their
boat back into the shadow and
breathlessly rested on their oars.
listening to the regular click Of the
oars of their pursuers.
These seemed to be rounding the
point of the island from the Cana
dian shors.
Are you sure of what you say ~
came a deep, stern voice dancing
over the water.
/ q
Perfectly, SIR came The reply.
"There were four of them ia com.
pany with short. thickset man, bat