Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1906-05-28
CAP'N ERR
BY JOSEPH c. LINCOLN
Copynzht. 1904. BY A. s. Bsrnes & Co. Pub
h.heu. So Fifth Avenue. New Tork.
All Rishs Reserved

THAT sheds gone, Ben,' ne salu.
Chuck your water on the main part
here. Maybe IL we had some ropes !
we might be able TO pull the shed
clear and then we could save the rest"
How'd you fasten the ropesT was
the painted reply. "She's all ablaze
and a rope would burn through In
minute IL you tied II anywheres."
"Git some grapples and anchors out
OF Rogers shop. He's got whole lot
>Nof 'em. Keep on with the water
business. I'll git the other stuff"
He descended the ladder and ex-
planned his idea to the crowd below.
There was a great shout and twenty
men and boys started on a run after
ropes, while as many more stormed at
the door of Nathaniel Rogers black
smith shop. Rogers was the local
dealer IN anchors and other marine
lrpuw0rk The door Of the shop was
locked. but he produced the key and
unlocked -he door. In another min
ute the 8 alter portion of the iron
work In the establishment was on its
way TO the fire.
The rope seekers were just returning,
laden with everything from clothes
lines to cables. Half a dozen boat
anchors and a grapnel were fastened
TO as many ropes, and the crowd
pranced gayly about the burning ell,
looking for chance to make them fast.
Captain Fri found a party with axes
endeavoriHg to cut hole through the
side Of the saloon in order to get out
the pool table. After some endeavor
he persuaded them to desist and they
came around to the rear and, taking
turns, ran in close to the shed and
chopped at 1t until the fire drove them
away. At last they made hole close
to where It Joined the main building,
large enough to attach the grapnel.
Then with "Yo heave ho!' every one
took hold of the rope and pulled. OF
course the grapnel pulled out with only
a board or two, but they tried again,
and, this time getting it around
beam, pulled a large portion of the
shed to the ground.
Meanwhile another AK party had at
tached an anchor to the opposite side
and were making good progress. In
due time the shed yawned away from
the saloon, tottered and collapsed in a
shower of sparks. a deluge of water
soon eXtinguished these. Then every
one turned to the main building, and
as the fire had not yet taken a firm
hold of this they soon had it under con-
troll.
Captain Fri worked with the rest
until he saw that the worst was over.
Then he began the search that had
been in his mind since he first saw the
blaze. He found Captain Jerry and
Captain Perez perspiringly passing
buckets of water from hand to hand in
the line, and, calling them to one side,
asked anXiously:
"Have either of you fellers seen John
Baxter tonightT'
Captain Perez looked surprised, and
then some of the trouble discernible in
Eris face was apparent in his own.
"Why, no." he replied slowly, IL
amt seen him, now you speak of it.
Everybody in towns here too. Queer,
amt it?"
Haven't you seen him, either, Jer-
ryT'
Captain Jerry answered with q
shake of the head '"But then" he
said, "Perez and me have been right
here by the pump ever sence we come
He Inight be most anywheres else and
we wouldn't see him. Want me to ash
some OF the other fellers"
Nor. exclaimed his friend, almos
fiercely. Don't you mention his name
to a soul, nor let 'em know you've
thought Of him. If anybody should
ask, tell 'em you guess he's RICH
around somewheres. You two git Il
work ag'in. I'll let you know If
want you"
The pair took up their buckets, ant