The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-19

roober or a hobo"
 You let go of me-" commanded Brad laugh.
 t.,,1u You won't won't you7 Well, then, .a! .ake that and that and that" cried the plra1e e captain, striking as hard as he porId ,uaId with his rife at the man. osta ne tramp, giving a cry Of pam and astonishment, relinquished his hold on BradIord's foot, and the two boys
 Let's ste gst out ite,f of fsfaPe tsis said Smith. once more"
 ..dsts lets don't go in any more harns."
 " herell we sleepy"
 to cover over us."
 The boat was tied up a few miles laarener laI down the canal. The boys sslIetched themselves side by side In the bottom of the boat. and went as sound " 70 sleep as If they had been honest men instead of pirates The night was heafly gone when the crew awoke. He rubbed hls eyes and sat up. wondering Tor a moment where he was. As he re- membered he saw a red glow in the SKY. sng It's It's getting morning, ]" he thought; Brad, Brad, wake up! There's a big ire somewhere"
 The Captain almost capslzed the boat as he got suddenly to his feet
 T believe that's Dangler's barn." he cried; cried It's a mighty good thing we didn't s sleep there If 1t is;"
 btl l0OSe nODOS set IL ar1re.
 Shouldn't wonder Well, let's get little more sleep"
 The sun shining into their faces next awakened them.
 Breakfast" suggested the crew.
 Forage" said the Captain. and forth they stepped.
 Heres mighty good spring"
 Both boys drank deeply of the clear, cold water, and washed their faces in it.
 "'Aiso springhouse." said the crew, taking observations and unlocking the door. Gee, look at the Jars of milk. guess they'll never miss a little I wish I hadn't drunk so much water"
 Each of the boys drank from a stone jar of creamy milk.
 Look. here's some potatoes." remark cd the Captain. going over to a basket.
 TT guess they're seed potatoes.''
 They'll make good pirate food. Put some in your pocket and soil 1. See, they're well supplied with butter Let's wrap hunk in some leaves. Now, if we can find some eggs, we're all right" It was early in the day for eggs; but tne boys found one in each of four nests, that had been left the day before for nest eggs. Rowing little farther down they. made fire and cooked their breakfast
 "out of sightl" was the verdict as they sat down to eat 1t.
 They made their way slowly that day, and they did not suffer hunger. Their experience of the night before made them wary about sleeping in barns; yet, as the crew remarked, a boat wasn't as comfortable to sleep in as bed.
 Hello, kids! Where are you going?" asked a cheerful voice while they were talking it over.
 ''Nowheres."
 "Oh, l thought maybe you'd like to spend the night at my house."
 The pirates eyed him suspiciously.
 Where do you liver" asked the crew.
 ''In that house over there. It's get ting so dark you can hardly see 1t, but it's comfortable and roomy."
 Were pirates" announced Captain Bradford
 'So I judged from your flag; but I've no prejudice agas-lst pirates. To tell the truth, l was one myself once"
 Well then. we'll go." consented the pirates.
 Although they protested that they had dincd, their host set fora cold ham pickles. bread and butter and jam, cake and pie, and, to show their appreciation of his hospitable efforts, the pirates cleaned the board.
 Afterwards the man who had been A pirate told them such oloodthirsty tales of his early adventures that the boys hung on to each other as they went up- stairs to bed, and were mighty glad that they were to sleep in one bed
 They had a fine breakfast the next morning before starting on their home- ward row; but when they reminded their host of some of his piratical adventures