Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-12-09
By Paul De Laney
CHAPTER XVIII-Continued.
Hufhor OF Lord Of the Desert" "Oregon Sketches"
and ofher Pacific Coast Stories

CHAPTER XVIII-Continued
She found it vacant and entered
The bunks were poorly furnished, an
would have been pronounced unfit 70
use by girls reared under different con
ditions from those which had sur
rounded Sankala's life, but she wa
accustomed to the fishermen and thei
ways. and viewed things az they viewet
them.
There was crude fireplace and som
dry driftwood, but the girl knew tina
the southsiders were in close proximit.
and would probably be driven ashor'
and she feared to kindle a fire which
would give warning of her presence
She rolled herself in the dingy bed
clothing of the most decent appeariH:
bunk and attempted to go to sleep
She expected to awaken before dawr
when she hoped the storm would have
subsided and she might find Dan about
the island.
How long she had lain there she had
not the time to verify, but she was
awakened from half doing state by
voices from the outside. These rose
above the storm which beat upon the
fraiI structure with an appalling noise.
As they approached nearer and nearer
she knew that she was about to have
visitors.
Sankala had often visited the old
shack and knew of little loft in the
cook room of the structure where fish
ermen often stored their nets. Taking
two of the old quilts with her she
went into the adjoining room and
climbed into the loft.
The southsiders began to enter the
place from all directions. They had
been driven ashore by the storm and
naturally took refuge in the camp.
They soon had cracking fire in the
fireplace, and began discussing the
days events in loud voices. Sankala
was thus enabled to learn what had
taken place on their side of the fight.
But what she wished to know above all
other things was not spoken. The
name of Dan Lapham was not men
toned.
The storm continued throughout the
entire night. The men talked, sang
and swore. Some tried to sleep, while
others planned for the following day.
Morning dawned upon the storm at
its height. 1t was nearly midday be-
fore it subsidized. The sea did not be-
come calm enough for the small fishing
boats until late in the afternoon. 1t
was then that the men began to leave
the place for another attack upon the
traps.
Sankala had heard their plans.
They thought they could reach the
traps and destroy them before the
northsiders could come to their defense.
1t was then the second afternoon since
the war had begun, and the southsiders
began their attack. The northsiders
were on the alert and seeing the move
ment of the enemy came like an ava
lanche to meet them.
Sankala was compelled to remain in
concealment, though she could see what
was going on through a crack in the di-
lapidated roof. She saw ths men scat
ter on both sides and realized the plan
of attack, and the manner OF defense.
The southsiders had divided into
squads, as they had planned to destroy
the traps at one fell swoop, while the
northsliders OWNED their purpose and
met them accordingly.
Strain her eyes as she would the girl
could not distinguish one from another
among her friends. They were so far
away that they looked like specks upon
the water.
The sun went down upon the contest
ants with honors divided almost equal
ly. They had practically abandoned
their fire arms, and were engaged in a
hand-to. hand fight with their oars.
There was murder in the hearts of
only few on either side, and but few
shots were exchanged. The casualties
were light in the afternoon engagement.
AS darkness closed in, Sankala was
about to come from her hiding place
and attempt an escape from the island.
But she heard number of the south
siders returning to the shack, and soon
learned from their talk that they had
been strongly reinforced, and that 9TH
ers were coming.
The news of the number wounded in
the former days engagement had
reached the south shore and the fisher
men rose up in their fury, Joined by
many outside friends, and swore that
they would come in sufficient numbers
to sweep the river and bay of the
northside fishermen and their traps.
Sankala learned that they intended
to renew the attack at midnight, at
which time their reinforcements would
arrive in larger boats, armed to com.
plete the work, and that it was their
determination to win at any cost of
property or life.
How to give the warning to her
friends, was the question. The PLOT
ters remained in the shack while run
ners were sent in different directions to
organize the men for the midnight ad-
vance.
CHAPTER XIX.
A Traitor at the Helm.