The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-05-18
the trying time had come. We lay with.
ont moving a muscle.

Just then dreadful thought came to
me. Anyone looking under the sheet
would be likely to raise it at the fore
end. Our clothes would be seen; then
we should inevitably be discovered. 1
sat up in my excitement, throwing of
the cotton.
What sound was that? A humming,
somewhat like threshing machine, in
the distance But / had helped unload
too much cotton 10 that music not to
recognize it. Uncovering Dape's head,
whispered:
Hes brought us to the gin. Don't
you hear it?
Dape sat up instantly, and made a
gesture of delight. Now we've got
him." said he.
AS the gin-yard gate was creaking on
it's hinges, the man who had come out
to open it, the ginner himself, asked:
How much have you got on there"
about eighteen hundred, | guess
replied the man on the wagon. Enough
for bale. Can you run it through
right away?"
l. uIlk CdH get IL ouI W iocii' Ohiy
one lot ahead of YOU"
Cant you give me first show? I'm
in an ALFRED hurry"
mo, L can't. I've started the other
already"
"Oh, well, s'pose l got &c stand it,
and in he drove.
"Now's our time!" said Dape.
So raised the sheet at the back end
of the load and beckoned to the ginner.
who was closing the gate after us. He
looked surprised, but seeing from my
mysterious manner that something was
wrong, he soon overlook the wagon.
This isn't his cotton at all J" ! wills.
pered down. Its my fathers. That
fellow stole it last night
"Stole us, too" put in Dape. "H>
doesn't know anything about that,
though. And he's sitting on our
clothes"
The ginner looked incredulous, but
soon saw from our manner and dress
that we were speaking the truth.
Keep still till l can send for some
guns! Well arrest the scoundrel.' he
said, and hurried on to the Clubhouse,
while the wagon continued it's way
through the yard among scattering cot
ton-bales.
This Clubhouse stood on posts six or
eight feet high. At the door was plat
form about even with the top of
wagon-bed, where cotton was unloaded.
When the wagon was against this plat
form, our driver stopped and threw on
the brake. Then we heard him step OFT
upon the platform.
Now for our clothes." whispered
Dape.
We began to dress, sitting on the cot
ton, but had only jerlled on my shirt
and pantaloons, and was Juggling at
was suddenly thrown up, and the wind
carried it off the bows.
There stood tail, shaggy bearded
man, in a slouchy black hat and yell
low "slicker," or rain-proof coat, reach
ing to his heels. The CONSERVATION on
his face, when he saw what he had
stolen, was mdicrous. His mouth flew
open, and he stood staring at us stu
pidly.
Il arrest you!" exclaimed the ginner,
grufily, as he hurried out and caught
the thief by the arm.
ARREST me-" and the man came to
himself suddenly. Stand back.' he
shouted, giving the ginner violent
push. The next moment he threw OF
the slicker, snatched pistol from his
pocket, and with an oath and threat,
leaped from the platform.
Out came two bowie-kniyes, and he
tried to cut one of his horses loose; but
seeing two gin hands coming with
with guns, he dashed round the house,
sprang over the fence, and fled through
the woods with everybody, including
Dape and me, in pursuit. But l don't
think anybody was half as eager &c
overtake him as he was to get away, for
he had a very disagreeable manner in
fourishing his pistol.
Now what?" said l..
Get the cotton ginned," said Dape.
Good enough" said l; and we cas-
lily bargained with the ginner, he keep
ing out enough, besides his toll, to pay
for the bagging and ties to wrap the
bale. He also gave us feed for the team.
With the seed and the bale loaded into
our wagon, we started for home, 10
miles away, early in the afternoon, and
soon met father and another man on
horseback. The disappearance Of
wagon load of cotton and two boys had
made sensation in our neighborhood.
and the roads were now being secured
in every direction.
Father.was greatly amused with the
story of our adventure. why" said he,
that man was no thief: he was reg
ular philanthropist. We couldn't have
picked cotton to-day, anyhow And he's
hauled the load for us and made us a
present of his horses. Good horses. too.
And whenever he comes to my place for
his horses, there'll be chunks of fun"
1t was after dark when we reached
home. The next morning the cotton"
thief's horses were turned into the pas
ture.