The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-15


nience, vaulted over the high and muddy
wheel and seated himself in the small
space the Captain had left for him.
Il believe the drive to Buttonborough is
a favorite one with you, Captain" said
he, as he drew the end of the horse blank
ct over his knees.
I'm a leetle def, sir, a leetle deef,"
said SALISBURY, TREMENDOUSLY.
You drive often 10 Buttonborough, do
you rOt?'
why. yes, sir, not to say often, but
once in while. Git up, Susie!"
Susie, who had been indulging in brief
nap, started, stumbled, regained her foot
ing and trotted off down the street to-
ward a large square yellow house, not
far from the station. The Captain refined
her up at the door.
My friend, l must tell you I am in
hurry" said the inspector at last, after
they had waited there about ten minutes
This is the only hotel we hev sir"
Il don't wish to stop at the hotel! 1
told you to drive me to Buttonborough
You old ass" he added soto voice.
"Al right, sir" said SALISBURY slowly
but it's a long, cold drive, and l guess
there amt many conveniences after you
git there. Now, this er hotel
Il am the judge of what will' be con-
venient for myself, sir" answered the in
spector sternly. please make no more
words about it. but use such haste as your
horse is capable of"
The Captain returned no answer, and
they logged along in silence till the vii
lage was left quite behind them.
Are you sure you haven't missed the
way" asked the inspector suddenly. This
seems to lead through the woods. and
doesnt look much Travelled, not like the
regular road we started on. noticed the
signboard on 'Buttonborough, five
miles
"Hey?"
The inspector repeated the gist of his
question.
oh this. ere amt nigh as billy and
not much longer. Wen git there sooner
this way"
oh" and they relapsed again into
silence.
Mile after mile passed with but little said
on either side. Occasionally the Captain
dilated upon some of Susie's best points
or referred TO some whaling exploit of his
earlier days. but the inspector was not
inclined to enter into conversation.
Isn't it pretty near time we were
there?" he said at last, looking at his
watch.
Yes, the rivers jest after the next turn
in the road"
The stream was hidden by the tall pines
until the road. turning, brought one right
upon the bank The inspector started in
amazement, and wise little Susie, seeing
the danger, stopped of her own accord.
Only enough of the bridge remained to
show that one had once been there.
when did this happen?" exclaimed the
inspector, angrily.
why, I do know" answered SALISBURY.
'It was all right when L was here last
but We he'd an awful storm the fust of
the week; mebbe it got washed away then.
The river gifts so high in the spring"
stRuf WI a am / n dO2f' fhupdered the
Inspector. You old fool, you, can't you
get out and see if there's any way to get
a boat?"
There amt no boats within five miles
o. here" drawled SALISBURY, with provok-
ing good humor. The best thing to do,
'cordin' to my mind, is to git acrost to the
reglar road and go over the other bridge"
why under the sun didn't you tell me
so before?" and in a lower tone, IF ever
l met with a deaf and dumb blind idiot in
the world. this fellow is certainly the
worst"
Yes. yes" thought the Captain, as he
took a wide turn for the buggy was not
d cut-under, "a def and dumb idiot an
a fool an ass! ! ruther guess, Mr.. In
spector, an old whaler can be as full o.
tricks as an inspector can be o. poisonous
wordsr'
YWeH hev to go back the way we
come" he said aloud, fur a spell, till we
meet the road that goes through the
woods to the regular Hamblyn road"
The inspector leaned back again and tried
to control his temper. This delay was ex-
tremely annoying to him-douby so be-
cause there was no one to blame. The
daylight was fading rapidly now and he
was cold and hungry.
What time do you dine around here?"
he said, more pleasantly.
Nigh onto II O'clock; some dimes as late
n. BaI CT rod he rb-
had fed Susie just before starting for the
station, and had taken a hearty lunch
himself and felt in no pressing need of
refreshments.
"Oh. 1 forgot the country ways; what
time do you have supper"
ANY time"
AT last they took a turn to the right and
struck into an unused and grassy road
through the wood.
DO I understand that this road leads
direct to the regular Hamblyn road?"
asked the inspector.
Yes" said the Captain, but I guess
faint hardly ever used. Wen git through
it all right, though, for that horse'll go
anywhere the darkest night that ever was
Matched"
1t was now so dark that 1t was not pos
sib.e to drive Susie above a walk. The
ricketty buggy tipped from side to side
and at times it seemed as if they were
really going over, and in spite of the high
top and side curtains, the leafiess branch
es struck them frequently in the face.
AT last they emerged upon a wide open
road, and Susie, expecting oats and a
warm bed at the end of her journey, start
ed on a brisk trot toward North Ham
blyn.
This is the Hamblyn road at lastw
said the inspector, ashamed of his own
impotence as he thought how calmly
SALISBURY had borne their trying drive.
yes, well reach the bridge in a few
minutes said the Captain, turing down
the road that led to Ike Mansfield's sugar
trees.
1t was not long before Susies little
hoofs resounded on a bridge, and they
could see a narrow stream of water be-
meath. There was steep hill 90 climb
before them, and the Captain stopped for
a moment to rest his horse. The wind had
risen now, and there was every appear
ance of an approaching storm.
This old sea dog seems to have an
amazing amount of stamina, after ALL"
murmured the inspector softly to him
self, and unless my senses deceive me,
hnse