The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1906-10-11
as they call IL, never appealed to me
rather enjoy being made over"
CHATTER VIII.

came the spring.
The winter carpet of sodden leaves
was changed to one of bright young
grass. Pussy-willows, like molting
birds, dotted the marshy land with
their yellow feathers, and every shady
nook was dappled with pale and droop-
ing wild-Howers.
On an afternoon in early March,
Winslow and Lavender strolled 60 the
waters edge to look for the boat
which was hourly expected. A skiff
was moored on the beach, and Layen-
der jumped to its prov, and, shad.
ing her eyes from the dancing sun.
light, gazed down the river.
"In faith fine figure-head" Wins
low called, then stood, with the ma.
licious enjoyment sometimes felt in
defying conscience, watching her with
/ every sense alive to the poise of her
I head and delicate wrist-to the curves
of the slender figure in the homespun
gown. as IL swayed unsteadily in the
rocking boat.
From her belt dangled a bunch of
dogwood blossoms-the first trophy of
the season.
"See. lookl they are coming," and
piroquettng joyously, she shook the
frail skiff until the oarlocks ratified.
Winslow sprang into the boat with
her. his arm steadying her swaying
figure, his hand in hers.
The black hulk OF the unwleldy keel
boat was plainly visibe-a dark line
in the agate of river and sky.
Soon they could distinguish the
| form of men on shore as they walked
with bent head, and arms straining at
the long cordelle, and there was
chorus of greeting.
1t was indeed cosmopolitan cry.
| The foreign twang Of Spaniard and
Frenchman joined to the lusty call of
the American pioneer, while here and
there an Indian gave whoop of well
come. and even America added her
unctuous dialect to the greeting that
sounded over the water
on came the men, and after them the
boat drawn like the carcass of some
huge thing of the sea.
a landing was soon made, and the
captain came ashore-a staggering,
ill-condtioned fellow, whose ox-like
strength and ferocity of temper held
his little world in check.
There was clamorous outcry for goods
expected or space for new cargo bat
it consumed little time, since a large
dry goods box carried the average
shipment.
The appearance of the boat--her
crew and passengers was anything but
| prepossessing. Rough uncouth, and,
for the most part, depraved. the pros
pect of a journey with such men was
disheartening.
But Winslow and his party resolved
to make the best of It, keeping them
! selves and their inopportune refine
ment as much in the background as
possible, Cramped quarters were pro-
vided them, and when the boat was
ready they took leave of the settle
ment, with surprisingly little regret,
considering your fondness for pot
luck, ," Winslow said, laugh!ngly to
Lavender
The boat made slow progress, but
! they found ample entertainment in
the beauties of the view. The sky and
water, the now verdant banks on either
side, were constant food for thought
or converse But to the majority q
their fellow-voyagers, blind to shift
ing cloud and changing shadow, to ice
scanned bluff and towering pine, the
hours dragged wearily.
Gambling was the chief diversion.
and most of the men were inveterate
players. Among these was once
wealthy planter journeying in company
with an octoroon slave. He had lost
a fortune at the gaming table, but was
possessed with a fever to win 1t back
at a like hazard. The Woman usually
watched his play, and her influence
alone had thus far prevented his utter
ruin. over his shoulder she often
hung, and her dark comeliness would
attract him from the dice or cards.
Toward the close of the second days
travel Winslow walked into the for
ward cabin, where the planter sat at
cards with two men. One of them.
Pat Finch, the captain, shouted as
Wlnslow entered: Take a hand?"
"No, thanks, I'll look on"
There was silence, broken only by
the rattle of coin, and the oaths of the
players.
The air was sitting with the fumes
of drink and tobacco, but Winslow re-
, mained, fascinated by the tense atti-
, tude OF the gamblers. Evidently some
untoward excitement was pending
, the stakes were high.
! Suddenly there was a gurgling cry OF
/ Lost by Cod" and the planter fell
face downward on the table, scatter
ing cards and money in blind confu-
: sion.
Another pause, then Finch, the cap
tain, spoke at was fair game. and,
damme If she amt mine!"
AT the brutal words, the PROSTATE
man rose, and shot look of mingled
hatred and pleading as would have
touched heart not mailed and proof.
, | Susnicinn NJ the friphtful harter