Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-05-11
CHAPTER XVI.-CoNrINUED.

A lighted lantern hung from a carline, the
remains of meal were spread on the table,
land there, half reclining in bunk and with
his head in bandage, was Capt. Scammell,
'haggard from fever and somewhat the
Iworse from liquor, while on the transom
end by his side sat my whilom mate, John
iLounsbury, of Rye, late risen from the dead.
Here, then, were my two arch-enemies;
probably the only living souls whose animos-
iity toward me was both of personal and
spolitical nature, saving perhaps that of
Clinton himself. Possibly my gorge would
have risen sooner against Scammell than at
the man by his side, though the latter was
none the less villain, and it seemed as
though fate, having given me friends when
lin need, had guided me thither to test my
!mettle to extremity.
Giving no thoughts to those in the boat, l
settled myself to hear the opening dialogue
of the two, for it Immediately transpired
chat Lounsbury had but just arrived.
H.My God! l thought you would never
.come!" were the first words by Scammell.
-"What news do you bring!
None to warrant grin, was the an
-swer. Il can give We no end O advice,
though, an tits to get from this an have it
out WI Clinton while there's yet chance.
Damn your advice! What's your news?"
well, Belden goes scot free, an is back
in favor an on the Sprte. He lays the
fault O. palming off that devil Thorndyke to
ye. He says We called Thorndyke by my
name in the tavern yard, and that he is in
nocent of all fraud"
Curse the stunted coward! And is not
T'horndyke caught? or-or-the girl or her
brother?"
NAY, but peg worse. Thorndyke has
Drained Lowney, whom We must know, and
then escaped, God knows how, being mixed
np with Quaker at Stryker's tavern on the
l~,,4 Ia Il
aet go, for he was not thought to have had
finger in the pie. AS for the boy an girl,
Daught has been seen o them-not smell
and there We have all I know. They say
,lhe girl is in the woods to the north, but
she may ha' gone to Heaven by this!'
what? what?" said Scammell, starting
SIP, but sinking back with curse as he
placed his hand on his bandaged head. "In
the woods! known to be there and not
taken! Are We all cursed babies on the
trail? Fore God, you are right! was a
fool to fly at a shadow! I'll back to Gin
don and plead fever to explain my absence.
IN back with you this night. The first tale
told is the best! Is it not known whose
name she mentioned to Clinton?"
NAY, man, she gave no name that can
find. Clinton but suspicioned We. Go to
him, an yer not fool, while l bide here
the while. What made We pick this spot to
hide in?" he continued, carelessly passing
his hand over the smooth woodwork of the
bulkhead.
because twas right beneath their noses,
and the guard was in my pay. In faith,
Bloomsbury" he went on, with something
like relief in the easing away of his body and
the long breath he took while he laid his
hand on the brace of pistols sticking in his
belt, there was another reason, one with
money
"Ah! what?" interrupted the other, sud-
denly withdrawing his wandering hand and
bending eagerly forward.
.1Ay, the reward, you know; I'm nigh
done up for cash. That and revenge, for,
anind you, thought that Thorndyke might
take it into his head to come aboard his own
ship, thinking, like me, it was the least
likely place to be searched His paper gave
,sne the idea. 1 hoped to lie by here until
the trouble blew over, or roll in the glory
of taking the hound if he came. He is equal
70 attempting surprise. but l was ready
for him. Theeguard is none too bright; had
you not better step up and take look
about?" And with this he patted the
cleaning pistol stocks and looked toward
the companion way.
There will be no guard to meet him this
night" answered Lounsbury with laugh
which also betokened relief. 81 let him go
till sunrise, and his musket lies fog soaked
on the deck, the ass! Ye have the vapors.
We be safe enough. The fog lies like fleece,
but-but-"
but what, you fool?" was the irritable
.rejoinder.
81 meant twas a new thought, that o.
the chance O. his coming. Meier mind. Go
Aeashore with the guard when he gets back.