The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-03-12
CONTINUED from page p

every lighter that leaves the beach,
and II they don't catch me that way
they'll search the ship"
I've thought it all out" said the old
man. to whom obstruction acted as
stimulant.
Eyes: but howT
Leave 1t 10 me. Get your things
together and be ready to duck in two
hours"
81 tell you they'll search the Santa
Maria from stem to stern," protested
the lawyer. but Dextry had gone.
Better do as he says. His schemes
are good ones," recommended Glenis-
ter. and accordingly the lawyer made
preparation.
In the meantime the old prospector
had begun at the end Of Front street
to make a systematic search Of the
gambling houses. Although 1t was
very late. they were running noisily.
and at last he found the man he want
ed playing black jack, the smell Of tar
in his clothes, the lit of the sea In his
boisterous laughter. Dextry drew him
aside.
"Mac. there's only two things about
you that's any good-your silence and
your seamanship. Otherwise you're a
disreppitable, drunken insect"
The sailor grinned.
what Is 1t you want now? II it's
concerning money or business or the
growed up side OF life. run along and
don't disturb the carousals Of sailor
, man. II it's q fight. lemme get my
hat"
81 want you to wake up your fireman
and have steam on the tug in an hour,
then wait for me below the bridge.
You're chartered for twenty-four hours.
and, remember, not word"
T'm on! Compared to me the spinks
of Egyp' is as talkative as phono-
graph"
The old man turned his steps to the
Northern theater. The performance
was still In progress, and he located
the man he was hunting without diff
hculty.
Ascending the stairs. he knocked at
the door Of one Of the boxes and called
for Captain Stephens.
"I'm glad found you, cap" said he.
at saved me trip out to your ship
In the dark"
whats the matter"
De1try drew him to an isolated cor
ner. Me an my partner want to send
q man to the States with you"
Gall right"
swell-er-here's the point" hesitat-
ed the miner. who rebelled at asking
fayors. Hes our law sharp. an the
Mcnamara outfit Is tryin' TO put the
steel on him."
81 don't understand"
"Why. they've swore out warrant
an aim to guard the shore tomorrow.
We want you to-
"Mr. Dextry, I'm not looking for trou-
BILE. get enough in my own busi-
ness"
"But. see here" argued the other.
we've got to send him 80 he can make
a powwow to the big legal smoke in
Frisco. We've been cold decked with
a bum Judge They've got US into
corner an over the ropes"
sI'm sorry can't help you, De1try,
but got mixed up in one Of your
scrapes and that's plenty"
"This amt no stowaway. There's no
danger to you," began Dextry, but the
officer interrupted him:
There's no need Of arguing. won't
do it."
@Oh, you won't. eh?' said the old
man. beginning to lose his temper.
4'well. you listen to me for minute.
Everybody In camp knows that me an
the kid is on the square an that were
gettin the bunk passed to us. Now.
this lawyer party must get away to-
night or these grafters will hitch the
horses to him on some phony charge so
he can't get to the upper court. It'll be
him to the bird cage for ninety days.
He's goin' to the States. though. an
he's goiu u'-in-yOur-wagon! I'm talk
in to you-man TO man. II you don't
take him. I'll so to the health inspector
he's a friend Of mine-an' I'll put
crimp In you an your steamboat.
don't want to do that-it amt my reg
lar graft by no means-but this bet
goes through as she lays. I never
belched up a secret before. No, sir. l
am the human huItin' cas-" watch. an
I won't open my face unless you press
me, but IL 7 should. You'll nee that it's
time for you to hunt new Job. Now.
here's my scheme" He outlined his d.
rectons to the sailor, who had fallen
silent during the warning. When he
had done. Stephens said:
II never had a man talk to me like
that before, sir-never. You've taken
advantage of me. and under the cir
cumstances I can't refuse. I'll do this
thing not because Of your threat, but
because | heard about your trouble
over the Midas and because 1 can't
help admiring your blamed insolence."
He went back into his stall.
Dextry returned to Wheaton's of1c2.
AS he neared 1t he passed lounging