Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-12-16

gency the company had picked up q
pilot who was related to and more or
less identified with the southside fish
ermen.
He knew of the proposed midnight
attack Of his friends upon the north
siders and did not intend to reach the
actual scene of conflict in time for in
reference on the part Of the militia.
He had Intentionally left the repre-.
sentative OF the northside fishermen,
who was to have accompanied the eI-
petition as sort Of scout, on the
south shore and was prepared to evade
a collision with the belligerents until
his friends should have the opportun-
ity to do all the damage they desired.
The officers knew that under the
government regulations they had no
right to enter the pilot house and after
instructing the Pilot to convey them
Immediately to the seat of the trouble
they retired to the upper deck.
The boat steamed down the river
like thing of life. The water was
calm and the craft moved with the
current without effort. Only the
swishing Of the wheel that propelled
the vessel broke the silence of the
night.
When once out into the river the
pilot gradually turned the nose Of the
craft in southwesterly direction.
The Colubima widens her channel as
she approaches the ocean until she
reaches the width OF over fifteen miles.
1t appeared as wide sea to the Off.
GERS and soldiers and the Pickering
lights on the north and south shores
looked like so many stars lining the
distant horizon.
An hour after midnight had been
reached. The officers had assembled to
the pilot house and asked impatient
questions.
81 cannot be responsible for the de-
layed train," replied the pilot. "My
boat is doing her best and will get you
there as soon as possible"
He was now to the south of the
eastern point of Sand island. He had
discovered the dark outline OF tie boats
Of his friends lying in the shadow Of
the island shore. To the south he saw
another line OF dark shadows which he
knew was the fotilla of reinforce.
ments. He could not account for this
except an unforeseen delay which often
attends the organization of forces.
One thing he did know, and that
was that he would never take the
soldiers where they could interfere
with his friends so long as he could
avoid it.
Suddenly fishing boat was discov-
cred in front Of the vessel. The oc.
cupant of the little craft was waving
an oar frantically overhead to attract
the pilot. He signalled the engi-
neer to reverse the lever and the wheel
began to pull back against the current
which was taking the boat rapidly to.
ward the ocean.
The officers down sairs rushed upon
deck to ascertain the cause OF the boat
coming to halt. They soon discov-
cred the figure in the fishing boat and
went to the point where the small craft
was about to collide with the larger
boat.
With an ease brought about by years
OF experience on the water the figure in
the small boat guided the little craft
alonside the lai ger vessel and the two
came together without scarcely a jar.
A rope ladder was thrown over the
side Of the large vessel and the form
left the fishing boat and glided up the
frail stairway like shadow.
"Why, it's woman-a grill" said
Captain Budlong as she stepped on the
deck.
eyes, 1t is sankaja!' said the sheriff
as he recognized the girl.