The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-08-09
ed at the mouth Of the river about nve

- w VI AhS 'o>>''F
Who'd a thought the relics VI that
wreck would be in this river yet
The clock on AN adjoining steeple truck
four. Dashes of gray streaked the dark
ness of the night here and there. The
great framework of the Nulture stood out
IKE an immense skeleton on the water.
The dim outlines of ferry houses and
chimneys and high buildings on the other
side of the river doomed up like grim
~silhouettes. The splash of oars was heard
almost beneath the wharf where the three
men We're seated, and a row bo&t shot out
into the open air.
Hello, what's that?" cried the chief,
his interest instantly aroused.
Clancy peered out at the solitary man in
the boat. His face relaxed and he smiled.
False ALARM he said. It's only jim
my Slack"
And who may Jimmy Slack be?' .r-
CURED the CHIEF. wrapping himself IN his
official manner.
II runs a little joint up on Water
street, replied Clancy; sells second
hand anchors, buoys. life preservers. oars,
spars ana any old thing used on a ship.
Tho Joke of 1t is he picks up half of his
stuff In the river. He's a sort of scaven-
ger about the docks"
While they We're talking Mr.. Jimmy
Slack was rowing out to where the white
life preserver was bouncing up and down
like an animated Punch and Judy. AS
he neared 1t the man poked out one of
his oars. hooked the object in the center
and pulled 1T into his boat. He looked
about him leisurely for a moment, and
th%n, dipping the oars into the water,
rpwed slowly back to the wharf. He ias-
tened the boat to a bit of moss covered
piling. Going ashore, he threw the life
preserver over his head. so that one part
of 1t rested on his left shoulder and the
other under his right arm, and marched
gayly up the street.
During all of this the chief was pulling
away at a Pittsburg stogie. He puffed
and puffed until the weed was burned
half way down. Clancy gaZed at him
furtively from under half closed eyelids.
from his mouth and tossed 1T into the
water. He turned to his assistant:
Take me to Slack's shop-in a hurry.
l want to take a look at it,"
Clancy, the loquacious, asked no ques-
lions. He arose quickly and started along
the wharf. They trampea after him UNI
til Water street was reached. All three
turned into the narrow t~horoughfare, lined
on each side with great brick buildings,
giving 1t, at that unearthly hour, the APP
pearance of a great canyon. Here and
there some low shack Of a storeroom
squatted in abject squalor between its inn
posing neighbors. They walked for five
piNlho tillI LII IL Sllldll "OolcIl
structure. Streaks of light shone from
between the cracks in the door.
Here it is" said Clancy.
Barnes made no response, but, doubling
up his right first, pounded vigorously on
the door. Subdued sounds as of voices
came from within. The chief knocked a.
second time. While the sound of his
blows was still echoiHg on the crisp early
morning air the door was cautiously
opepa1 a faw inches and a scared face
looked out.
what do you want?" p;ped a shrill
voice.
Barnes never replied, but pushed his way
roughly into the room, followed by Clancy
and Forward. A gasoline lamp fastened
to the wall spread a CHASTITY light over the
narrow apartment. Coils of rope lay about
the floor and ships lanterns hung from
the ceiling.
Mir. Jimmy Slack fronted the chief, fear
and anger alternating in his light blue
eyes.
Nov that you've broken into my place"
he cried, I'D like to know what. you
want"
You're not very civil to customers" re-
piled Barnes, irreverantly.
"~Customers?" echoed the river scaven-
ger.
Yes. customers" replied the old man in
his smoothest tones. Tn here to make a
purchase"
surilly.
surily.
oh, but this is an emergency-and 1
believe you are an emergency man"
What DO you want?' suspiciously.
"A life prcserver,' blandly.
II haven't any said the river man,
Il doggedly.
What's this?" cried the chief and,
making a quick movement. he pulled q
piece of canvas from a bulky pile of stuff
in the corner of the room. All eyes turned
. in that direction.
There, in all of its symmetrical beauty,
lay the circular life preserver.
, That's not for sale" cried the water
man. There WAS fear in his eyes and his
lips turned white.
But III take it just the same" anC
Barnes, STOPPING down, picked up the
round white object.
Slack gave a snarl like a wild animal anC
grabbed the other side of the life preserv'
f ef. There was q ripping sound; the rotte1
: covering gave way. Some cork dust anc
excelsior flew out first and then the sod
, den plank flooring of the shack was GOV
cred with a glittering heap of preciou!
pearls and cut rubies. TranstiXed Will
horror, the waterman stood there unabl,
to move. A fearful oath carne from tn
rear Of the room. A heavy door in tn
back Of the place was thrown open ane
\ AAS ~ VI lllC v QlloLC SloSS
on the threshold.
/, Barnes. his eyes glittering, but perfect
~ self possessed. bowed low.
a My dear Mr.. Tallman, we greet you
Our lines seem to cross tonight. We
He got no further. The second stewart
made a movement for his hip pocket. !
glistentng barrel shone in the dim lam,
light. simultaneously Clancy jumped for
ward and struck at the shining objec,
= There was a quick, sharp port Whe
the smoke cleared away the chief wa
standing there. erect and uninjured. Di
rectly behind him an ugly bullet was i'm
bedded in the wall. The second stewar
was on his back on the floor with Clanc
clutching viciously at his throat.
I BY the time the second steward an
5 his accomplish We're put behind the bar
and the gems were placed in the safe {
the custom house the sun had risen an
the city was awake. Half an hour late
the chief and his two companions wer
In the rooms overlooking Washingto
!, square.
q You had a close call" ventured Fo.
ward.
II never had a closer one" admitte
u Barnes. THAT bullet whispered in m
ear"
e Clancy was silent. The chief, lookin
d at him, suddenly jumped up, with a gas
" of surprise. The next minute he had he