Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-29

did you hear any one say whether there
were any strange men in town. :,
with strangers?"
81 should say had. Three men came along
here last night and asked for shelter,
hadn't any spare beds, 50 | told. them that
or some time in the night, they left, taking
with them two of my best boats, twenty or
thirty chickens, and new set of harness"
:! think we've seen the men, but not very
And then he told the particulars of the at
tempted robbery of the River Queen.
"Those. must be the same rascals. Now, l
want to hire you to notify every one you can
as they think they are out Of reach"
"We,ll do that without any pay, SIR" as
sured Jim, promptly. Now for little bust
stopped here if you hadn't hailed us. We
want to buy fair kind of a skiff-one worth
two or three dollars. VIII you trade for one?"
mo; but I'll give it to you if you'll take
pains to do as I've asked YOU"
| 1t was useless for jim to insist that he
would do the favor without pay, but that he
wished to buy the boat. The farmer would
hardly listen. he ordered one of the men to
paddle small stif alongside the flatbeat and
actually forced Jim to take her in payment of
services yet to be rendered
Tel every one you meet" shouted the man,
as the lines were cast off and the hatboat be-
gan to drift slowly down the river. ''Tll pay
| twice much as the things are worth If the
thieves, can be caught, for don't want tramps
to get the idea that they can walk in here
| and steal anything they take fancy to-
They need lesson, and I'm the man to give
1t, ri II can only lay my hands on em."
to pay for the skiff, so far as carrying out
the farmers wishes was concerned They hail
ed each one they. saw on the river, telling
ing 5ne news without stopping the boat,
ments;, but nowhere did they meet with any
one who had seen either the men or the
stolen property.
1t was narly ten o'clock at night when
| they stopped at the levee in Louisville
| The water was far too low on the river for
the nat boat to make the descent in safety.
therefore. the long detour through the canal
to S,hlppingsport was necessary.
Inc next morning, acting on the advice of
| his companions, Jim hired a mule for three
dollars to tow them down to the locks: and
50 tree from craft was the canal that when
Jethro called the party to dinner, the trad
ing boat had passed the last lock-
At Louisville, Jim had not been able to
notify many people of the robbery that had
been committed up the river. owing To the
fact OF his having arrived there SO late at
night, and having left early in the morning
He told the story to such of the boatmen
as he saw, however. and they promised to
notify the authorities If the men had not
yet arrived in Louisville they would pro.
oaDiy come tnere, and 1t was reasonable to
believe that the police would capture them
"At all events" said True, while they
were discussing the matter at the dinner ta.
BILE, I'VE have seen the last of the fellows. for
they will not be likely to come further down
the river, whether arrested OF not.
"No doubt, they've chased us about as far
as they want to, said Bent, with a laugh.
shall have"
While this conversation was being carried
! on the .Hath0at uaa Hnatinr II
with no one on the lookout, and the surprise.
and even CONSERVATION, of all on board NAV
be imagined, when small boy walked de-
liberately into the store and seated himself,
as if it was the most natural thing in the
world that he should be there.
| 'Waal that beats me!' exclaimed Jetbro
as he let fall his knife and fork. and sat eaz
ing at the boy in openi,mouthed surprise,
And then he and Bent joined Jethro in
staring at the boy.
Jim was more practical in solving the mys-
terry. Instead of sitting still and staring, he
| went toward the boy and asked:
"Where did you come from?"
| ''New Albany was the laconic reply
But ! mean how e% , did you get on board?'
"Come in skiff."
'Did you want anything?"
"No."
Jim was puzzled It was evident that the
boy was not in the habit of using unneces-
sary words, but the young trader was bound
| to have some sort OF answer, so he continued
| his direct questioning:
fWhat did you come on board for?'
"Tm going down the river with you?" was
the reply, given in the most natural tone
possible. while the speaker looked as indif-
ferent as if he was at home and Jim was the
intruder.
sGoing down the river with us, are you,"
| said True. as he came forward with an amused
smile ON his face. There's no mistake but
that you take things coolly.. When people
| ,n.nA 70 oo down the river do fhev usually
take possession of the first trading boat that
comes along!"
| "I dunno"
"But we can't take you" objected True.