The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-18

haze TO dae it," he said: but I'll pay We
out yet"
Never fash yourself about that said
the shepherd. Come moo and Wen haze
a crack WI yon saumon."
With an III grace the bailiff took the
hooks and addressed himself to his un-
pleasant task. At first he made little at
tempt 20 catch the fish. He had a vague
hope that in time relief would come from
some quarter, and he put off the evil
moment Meanwhile, the shepherd taunt-
ed him from behind.
''Eh, man! ye haze little skill. The sau-
mons playing wi We. Div We no see he's
fair lauchn' at ye? And. by the way,
bailiff-about that visit of ours TO the
court-will It be sumo, div ye think, OF will
We put it aft indefinitely? Personally
would recommend the last way-but ony
way We like"
But taunts were OF no avail. The bailiff
did not in the least feel his honor offend
ed. and his efforts were still languid. At
last the shepherd grew impatient.
See here. he said. ITS nae use de-
Iayin'. we've got 10 catch that saumon,
and II We dinna be smart I'll put We In the
water again. BY the way" he added,
casually there's Jock Shiel himsef
comm If were you I'd hurry up and
catch that flush afore onybody saw me"
The hailiff glanced around, and there
sure enough, the six feet of stalwart shep-
herd came in leisurely fashion down the
road His last hope fed. There was notn-
ing to be expected from the new conner,
whom he knew as a notorious poacher.
Besides, 1t was better that there should
be no witness to his deed. SO he doggedly
recalled his ancient skill. and set himself
10 catch the salmon with all speed. With
much art he gradually drove the fish up
ward on to the shadows.
Zine mani said the shepherd approx
ingly. 81 keened ye were just shammin'.
It's no III to see we've been at the busi-
ness afore Set thief to catch a thief,
and max poacher into a bailiff, Ye haze
skill after a.. Great, mani great Just
be cautious o-cautious-canny-and
there ye haze him."
And Just as Jock came UP the glittering
back was landed at his feet
Man, Jock" said the shepherd. ''ye're
over late We've been ha elm grand
snort me and the bailiff. He could gle
points in saumon catchin' even to you"
The bailiff turned to Jock. Il TAX you
to witness that haze been forced to this. -
II ken nocht about that" said Jock,
smiling "a ken is that l saw bailiff
andin saumon."
"Ay," quoted the shepherd irreverently
"he digit pit for ithers and fell Until I
himself"
The bailiff glsred savagely at the two
men with impotent hatred in his face.
Rage and a helpless longing for vengeance
filed his heart and choked his utterance.
Then he blurted out an oath and flung
himself off.
stop minute, my bonny man." said
the shepherd yen surely never lea'e
this fine saumon ahint we. Weel, willfu'
man maun gang his ain gait. But tax
my advice and tell them that employs We
to Dit on bigger men for bailiffs, or the
saumon Wilma haze muckle chance up the
muirs."
The bailiff deigned not to reply. He set
his shoulders square, drew up his small
body TO its utmost. and strobe over the
ridge with high dudgeon writ large on his
SQUAT little figure. The other two watched
him as he disappeared. mirth and n kind
Of pity struggling for mastery In their
faces But the iudcrous picture of the
forlorn little instrument of the law was
too much for their kinder feelings
storm of laughter caught and shook tho
shepherd. Presently Jock Joined, and
these two gigantic men roared in their
mirth. their great sides heaving with par
oxysms OF laughter and the tears rolling
down their cheeks
II was not till long after the baiiiff had
vanished over the ridge of moorland that
the shepherd. weak with laughter, dried
his eyes and turned to Jock. Hunger"
he said oracularly. flames a craw. and
oauld water hailifY" And with these
sag e. words the shepherd whistled on HIS
dogs. and collecting his errant sheep.
went chuckling up the moorland road.