Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-22
Dosvn the Missfssippi

no customers, and when night came the boat
was made fast to the bank directly in the
current, no convenient bend or cove being in
sight
1t was by no means good place in which
to pass the night; but it was too late to run
any further, and there was nothing to do but
to make the best of it.
Jim, aided by True and Bent, ran out ex.
ira hawsers while Jethro was getting supper,
and they took every precaution to prevent
any chance of the River Queen breaking
loose from her moorings.
This work had been finished in satisfac-
tory manner, the signal lantern had been
hoisted, and the boys were waiting impa-
tientiy to be called to supper, when Jethro,
looking as if something had suddenly occur
red to dstrub him, said to Jimmie, in eau
tious whisper:
"There is some one in the hold-two or
three, in fact, an believe that they're the
same men that | had such picnic with"
Men in the heidi ~ excained ID Jimmie, IN IN
Jethro as if they thought he had suddenly
taken leave of his senses.
"I've heard 'em moyin' round twice sense
we left Madison Of course, | couldn't be
quite sure what it was heard but when you
was on shore, maxim the hawsers fast,
ckcpt softly into the store, laid with my ear
at the crack of the trap-door, an then could
hear them talkin'"
''But how could they have gotten there"
asked True, who was disposed to be incredu-
lous.
"They had every chance while we were
lying at Madison. A number of people, went
into the hold and of course, | couldn't tell
whether they all came out or not, sad jim.
"These men have followed us down the river,
saw their chance to slip in there, and, after
we have gone to sleep, intend to do what
they failed at the other night"
"Thats Jest about the size of it." declared
Jethro. Nov, III take hammer an nails,
an all of you suddenly lump, on to the trap
an NJ when w we git to Bethleham, we can tell
the sheriff to come down an git EN-"
Lets do it," approved jim ITS just
the thing"
And Jethro's plan was quickly put into exc
cution.
The boys stood on the trap talking until
he was ready, and then he drove nails as he
never drove them before completely fasten-
ing down the door before those below could
possible have been aware of what he was
about.
The instant the work had been accomplish
ed, the boys had proof enough that Jethro
had not been mistaken when he said he heard
men below, for volley of imprecations and
threats was hurled by the prisoners at those
who had baffled their evil plans.
SRave away" shouted True, mockingly.
'FYou can't do us half as much damage that
way as if you had come out while we were
asleep But listen to what I say" he added,
more seriously. From now until we arrive
a. Bethlehem, one or the other of us will be
on guard, armed with heavily-loaded gun,
and if you should by any means manage to
raise that trap, you may hest assured that
whoever is on duty will make it warm for
you"
That evening the boys sat in the store, all
doing guard duty and discussing the situa-
ton, and then the regular watch was set
after it was time to go to bed
Jethro watched from nine o'clock until
eleven, True from eleven O'Clock until one,
and then Jethro came on duty. He sat on
low stool with his back against the counter
and his gun between his knees, for nearly
half an hour. when he Thought he heard a
sound as of boat approaching. He leaned
over in a listening attitude, for it had been
agreed that the guard should not leave his
post by the side of the trap-door for single
instant.
Nearer and nearer it came, until suddenly
the River Queen was struck terrible blow
which caused her to quiver from
stem to stern.
Jim was thrown violently across the room,
and then was heard the crashing and splin-
tering of timbers, as if the trader was being
ground to pieces.
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY