The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-23
fcantinuea.l

(Contfnueo.1
 "Do you mean to say that can't get . boat anywhere near here?"
 ssNo, you can't, for certan. But there's plenty of boats at Gor'ven Fishin' boats. yachts. steamin' boats, most anything you please"
 DO you know Con'seaT' asked Tank eriane, pronouncing the name as he had heard 1t from the lips of the keeper.
 q ain't never heard of it. But you'd best go to Gor'ven. and they'll iarn you all about boats and marshes. come of inland folk. do; ain't never bin in boat. and by the Lords help never will"
 Tankerlane looked at the man in blank amazement. The stationjof Pinge was but two miles from the creeks, and here was a man who had never been in e boat.
 .How far is Gor'ven? he asked.
 "Matter O twenty miles"
 'sWhen Is there a train ?"
 aIn ten minutes. if 1t atn'f late"
 "How long does 1t take to get there?"
 s.Matter of an hour"
 .sGreat Scottr cried Tankeriane, mad with impatience. This must be the end of the world. I suppose can get food there. or are they all vege- tarians?"
 There be seventeen publics there" ehe man replied, proudly
 'sWhere Is the booking ofiiceg asked rankerlane. He had resolved to spend the night in a place where he could obtain a boat and commence his search In the morning. "Gor'ven." as the. DOT ter called it, was evidently part of the civilized world.
 The porter did not reply, but led the way to a small black shed covered with tarred felt. After fumbling in his pocket for key he opened door, and slid back tiny hatch in the wall.
 .sWhers forr' he said mechanically, AS though the words were necessary to give validity to the issue of the ticket.
 -Gor'ven,s replied Tankerlane sharp Ix. "First-class single" r
 me man retired from tire oD5nis t sf sfi $, ss and mooned round the inside of the hut, looking at the varous tickets in their little pigeon-holes. When he had spent three minutes in this apparently pleas Ing occupation. TankerIane lost his temper.
 Hurry upt' he exclaimed savagely. sT can't wait here all night while you're taking a walk"
 There ain't no hurry" the man said suiienly. Trains twenty minutes late"
 "rn report you to the station mas ter, if you don't look sharp"
 You'd best not, sir" the man replied. "'Tis his day for beans on Friday, and they'm as bad as meat for him. He gets that cross and uppish, and he kick just like an old horse. He can't R-bear strangers worriting him bout trains. But here's ticket. If you'm in a hurry"
 He stamped the slip of pink card board and handed 1t to Tankerlane. who looked at 1t and saw that the name of the station was Gorehaven.
 'Can't you get me a drink of wa- terf' Tankerlane asked in a concilia- tory tone.
 Can't leave the once now 'tis open" the man replied. But there's a tap round corner."
 TankerIane swore loudly, but he was too thirsty to waste much time in abuse. He found the tap, and, turning it on. drank out of his hands. The water was slightly brack- ish and metallic in taste. but it re- lieved his thirst.
 Half an hour afterwards the last train from London steamed slowly into the platform. Tankerlane watched the lighted carrages pass by him. Then, just as the train came to a standstilI, he gave a start and moved a step or