Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-04-14

their lives, men mad Tor something
they had never known and could not
Imagine were not new to him.
You'd like to so to sea, would you?'
he asked.
Like it? Indeed l would. But
there's the wife and children. II
couldn't leave them to starve you
know"
ITO starve?" Then changing his
voice so that a strain of sternness
sounded in it, while he looked closely
and critically at the man before him,
Prier asked; How much better than
that has it been for them. I'd like to
know"
| GullenS scowled.
Il don't know as it is for you to
ask" he replied, gruffly.
But | do ask"
Il wouldn't let any of the boys here
at Jahnway Station ask such a ques-
ton They wouldn't dare"
Perhaps not. l presume not. But
dare. l ask it?"
There was a pause. Gullens looked
down. He worked the snow back and
forth nervously and tremblingly, with
the toe of his boot.
Then, suddenly, the detectives voice
rang out, clear as bell, sharp and in
cisive as a knife:
And l am in the habit of having my
questions answered when 1 ask them.
How much better than starvation has
the condition of your family been for
years."
Gullens did not look up. He only
worked the snow to and fro more rap
idly.
How often have they suffered for
bread that you might have liquor?"
Gullens'S hand clasped and unclasp-
| ed themselves. He was in torture-on
the rack; not so much because of the
picture the detectives words brought
home to him, with its long tale Of pri-
walton for his family and disgrace to
himself, but because he had met a man
whose appeal he did not dare to meet
with the argument of brute force-a
man he did not dare to threaten.
He clinched his hands; the words of
fhe detective seemed burning in his
brain. He unclinched them again; he
was thinking of the story Prier had
told him twelve hours before Of his
skill as a boxer He felt in his pock-
ct for his knife, a wicked weapon, and
dangerous thing in the hands Of a
desperate man; he was pondering on
the scorn Prier had put into the ques-
tions he had asked. He let the knife
drop from his hand, back into his
pocket again, and drew his hand out
empty; he was thinking Of the falling
of the dead leaf through the snowy air
last night, and wondering why Prier's
hand was resting carelessly in the
pocket of his coat as he waited for his
answer.
Come, Gullens," said Prier sternly,
I've waited long enough. Give me
my answer How much better than
Starvation"
Gullens glanced up. For one second
he faced Prers eyes. Then his
glance fell.
Not much, | suppose" he said.
Prier had conquered.
Very we'll; now let us get back to
the questions again. Do you think any
one would try to cross the ocean in the
Homeward Bound?"
No; not unless he was fool, Or
We'll, or whom?"
Or Jasper Jahnway. There's no
guessing what he would or wouldn't
do"
You don't like Jasper Jahnway?"
No, sir; l don't"
You are afraid of him."
Yes" sullenly; Il told you last night
that l am afraid of him-the only
man l ever met
The only one?" said Prier, quietly;
the only man you ever met of whom
you are afraid? Are you sure of that
We'll, the only one except you.'
"Ah? You are afraid of me, then,
are you?"
Yes, am"
And perhaps you dislike me, too?'
Il don't know yet. I'll tell you when
do"
will you? Thank you. Now do
YOU know where l can hire a good
sized. thoroughly seaworthy fishing
vessel, crew and all. l want a good,
comfortable cabin for myself, comfort
Co..
want a captain and men who can be
depended upon in every respect The
vessel must be swift sailer, and
How swift" queried Gullens.
swift enough to outsail the Home
ward Bound if possible? Do you think
YOU can tell ME where l can find such
a vessel?"
Il think so. Are you going out to
sea to try and find Mr. Jahnway?"
Il am. Will you go with me? The
wages will be good, and
Will l go with you?" cried Gull
lens. Springing forward and grasping
Prier's hand; will l go with you? In
deed 1 will. And you asked me wheth-
| i
now. | like yOu-I-I-Ill go through
-through-through perhaps you'd
rather not hear the word, but through
warmer place than there is in Maine
such a morning as this, for you
All right" said Prier, smiling at the
fellows enthusiastic extravaganza OF
language and pleased at the new man.
hood which seemed rising within him;
all right. Now, when and how can
YOU find out about the vessel"
Here at Jahnway's Station. And
now. | won't be gone an hour"
And he hurried away.
Prier stood on the platform, looking
away over the snowy fields, white and
pure and glstening. He looked up the
road to where the rails seemed to meet
in the distance and disappear-as
memories meet and fade in the past;
down the road to the COnverging OF
the railS-as hope finds a point beyond
| Limitations nf the human