The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-08-14

III earnest words, ana they were
forthcoming. Elsie understood
them to mean that she need not be
in such a purple hurry to disappear
into the darkness without the least ex'
PLANTATION. Thereupon she babe SuareS
back the canoe little.
81 am sorry it is necessary to steal
away in this fashion," she said, and
the GOODNESS of her tone was highly
exasperating to man who could no
more detain her than he could move
the Kansas unaided. II have plan
which requires only bit of good for
tune to render it practicable. have
two assistants-Suarez, whose aid !
am compelling. and Joey, who is quite
eager. There is no use In risking any
more lives. If do not return you may
be sure the worst has happened"
"But what is your plan?" roared
Boyle. 1T may be just sheer non
sense. Tell me what it is, an 1 swear
by the nautical almanac l shall not
prevent you from carryin' it out if il
has any reason behind it."
81 am going to collect all the Indian
canoes" was the amazing answer. II
know it can be done from what Suare5
has said. Once we have the canoes in
midchannel we can set most Of them
adrift and bring Captain Courtenay
and the others back to the ship In four
or five, which we will tow to Guanaco
hill. And now goodby again!'
Zone moment, Miss Maxwell" broke
in Gray's quiet voice from the upper
deck You can't engineer that scheme
with q one man crew and he sick and
unwilling. I am going with you. You
must take me aboard, wet or dry"
II am well armed and shall admit OF
no interference" she cried.
81 promise to obey orders"
eff wanted you. Mr.. Gray, should
have sought your help"
at is one thing or the other, wrig'
gle down rope or high diving act"
"You have no right to impose such
an alternative on me-"
81 hate it myself, and 1 can't dive
worth a cent. You will hear beastly
flop when strike the damp"
"Mr. Boyle, l call on you to hold
him."
Boyle explained luridly that the
American was doing a balancing act
on the rail eight feet above his head.
Elsie, taking her eyes off Suarez for an
instant, discerned Gray's figure sill
houetted against the sky. She yielded.
"There is rope ladder fastened to
the lowest rail near where the canoe
was moored," she said.
''Is there to be any catch-as-catch-can
business, BoyleT demanded Gray.
mo. All this is mighty unfair to
me-"
"You have my sympathy, friend, but
you can't leave the ship. Now, Miss
Maxwell, come alongside. Boyle is
going to be good. He doesn't mean
half he says anyhow"
AS the canoe slipped out of the dense
gloom of the ships shadow the Argen-
tine squatted on his knees in the bows,
Gray placed himself amidships, and
Elsie sat aft, holding the revolver in
her right hand and the dogs collar in
her left. The American CROPPED for and
found paddle, which he piled vigor-
ously.
Guess you'd better DISCOURSE" said
he over his shoulder when the light
craft was well clear of the ship.
"You understand Spanish, I think|
EYES,"
"Please tell Suarez to cease pad
ding and listen. Don't move. I can
trust you, but I may have to shoot
him.
BEST hand me that popgun, Miss
Maxwell. The gentleman in front
seems to have wholesome respect for
you already Anything you say goes
where he is concerned I am taking
your word for 1t his name is Suarez,
but he looks and smells more like an
Indian"
81 forced him to dress in his dis
earded clothes. He may be able now
TO scare any Of the savages we come
across. But why should 1 give you
my weapon, Mr.. GrayT
Because / can hit most things I
aim at, whereas you are more likely
to bore a hole through me as a pre-
liminary. Moreover. you have the dog
with you, and even the wisest dog may
bark at the wrong moment You must
have both hands at liberty to choke his
enthusiasm"
"Do you pledge your word to so on
with my schemer
"That is what I am here for"
'Take the revolver, then"
"Sure It's loadedT
"Quite sure. I have fifteen extra
cartridges; but, as I have practiced re.
filling it in the dark, give it to me If
you have occasion to empty it."
"You seem to have thought this thing
out pretty fully"
ST intend to succeed. Now, please,
must explain what I want Suarez to
do"
Speaking in Spanish, slow and clear,
while the canoe drifted steadily up the
bay with the rising tide, Elsie unfold
ed her project Behind the guardian
cliff Of otter creek a ridge Of rocks
created a small natural harbor. 1t
was the custom Of the Alaculofs when
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