The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-19

"a Stdnch little SEif Fpe got hidden be-
hind that cl,unp Of button lpitloaos.n
branches, and tho CLEAN Of a lantern
preceded the rapidly advancing foot
steps. Lemuel made step to meet the
bearer of it.
MAXWELL"
Maxwell up to date" said tho boy,
swinging his lantern high overhead
with triumphant chuckle, "and Max
we'll in time.
"But what are You doing here?'
Watching you"
II am going across the river" said
Lemuel severely, land your nonsense
may cost INC my chance"
u am going across tho river myself,
and my nonsense will cost you nothing,
unless see fit to charge you ferriage. F."
"Fcrriago in what, l should like to
know"
"In stanch little skiff I've got hid
den behind that clump of button will
lows. I'll call my fellows as soon as l
see you clothed and i'll your right mind. "
"But have been trying for days to
get u skill.
- know you have. Pom honor,
Street, | am under load of obligation
to you. I've been holding myself more
humbly than II yellow cur ever since
Reggie wouldn't even take me along to
black his boots, and then, when l came
to know you and saw how it hurt you
to be left out and saw also that there
were more ways of being hero than
fighting Yankees, held myself cheaper
than two yellow dogs, but I'm ahead of
You at last. Hurry on that coat while I
whistle up my boys"
Lemuel had been rapidly getting back
into his discarded clothes, which had
been tied up in waterproof cloak of
Amy's. He was not ambitious of SWIM
ming across the river if Maxwell was
prepared to transport him dry shod.
In answer to call sent through his
interlocked fingers Maxwell's oarsmen
dipped their oars softly in the water,
and presently from its ambush under
tho willows a sharp proved skiff shot
into sight. The rowlocks were muffled,
and her progress was almost noiseless.
Another call through the boys linked
fingers-a perfect imitation of the cry
of the wild turkey-was answered by !
the men in the boat.
"That means they know exactly
where to land"
: but you haven't told me yet where
you got your boat, said Lemuel, feel
ing stealthily in his bosom to touch
Marianne's muller.
There is where my restored self re-
pect comes in" said Maxwell, eau
iously turning the light of his lantern
IN the advancing skiff. "While you were
up and down the bank looking
Or skiff that might possibly have es-
aped the brigade l was building one"
Building one? Where?"
Now you are getting at the cream
t my joke. I built her in your deserted
Machine shops out Of lumber that be-
ongs to you, and modelled her on the
pecifications you drew once upon
lme when was loafing around your
esk."
II think you might have told me-
light have let me share in the labor"
Maxwell turned and laid his arm af-
'ctionately around his friends shoul.
or.
"See here, Street, don't, please don't,
ID me Of the poor satisfaction I've ex.
acted out of this job. I made up my
lind to go after Reggie the minute |
card Moses story. I knew If l told
Laramie or Monksey of my intention
lere would be the very mischief to
". had to steal my chance and hav.
g stolen it successfully you might re-
ice with me instead of trampling on
Q with that superior manner of yours"
"Yes, but, my dear fellow, I am
linking of your sister"
$50 am l." Here the keel of the skiff /
'ound upon the bank Immediately in
ont of them, and tho two men sprang
'oaTd. "Pull, boys, as if Old Nick
as after you. All the beats were down !
o9t Beeler's anding ut dark, and we