Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1908-09-09
CHAPTER xI.-continued.


OF the others, finding that Ellen's ship
had sailed before her.
CHAPTER discontinued.
Darlington was armed. He hauled
a pistol from his belt, cooked it and
leveled it fair at Strathgate.
Bring that boat into the wharf,,
he cried, "or I'll shoot you like the
dog you are!"
Strathgate did not blanch. He bal
anced himself easily to the roll of the
boat and looked square at Caring
ton
"Would you add murder to your 9th.
er follies?" he answered.
He was an easy mark, the distance
was short, Darlington was a sure shot,
and if ever man had murder in his
heart it was in that of Ellens hus-
band. Yet there was something in
the dauntless way in which Strath.
gate faced him and in the fact that
the latter appeared unarmed, that
caused Darlington, with finger
upon the trigger, to stay the pressure.
Why don't you fire, my lord?''
cried Strathgate.
Draw your weapon, Strathgate, -
said Darlington, dropping the point of
his own pistol.
I'm sorry to say that I'm unarmed' -
There was no use. Darlington could
not kill him under the circumstances
He stood staring after him for a mo.
ment, and then raised his hand and
shook it in the air.
God have mercy on you if I meet
you again." he cried.
Take the peril to yourself, Lord
Darlington" Strathgate called out,
and with farewell wave of his hand
the cutter shot out beyond the extrem.
ity of the pier, and, catching the full
force of the breeze, which happened to
be blowing straight up the harbor, ne.
cessitating hard beat out against it,
bore away toward the opposite shore.
Pistol in hand, Darlington turned
and confronted the astonished crowd
which had gathered in his rear.
What went he after?" he asked.
The men facing him looked from
one to another.
Darlington thrust the pistol back
into his belt, tore out his pocketbook
opened it, and took out ten-pound
note.
THAT for information"
One of the men whose boats Strath
gate had disdained to employ forced
his way through the crowd.
I'll tell you for the money"
Speak out. IT'S yours"
He come down here lookin' for q
man and a woman, and Cooper, he
owns the boat yonder, said his broth
er put party containin' a man and q
woman aboard the Flying Star or 9
ship like her last night"
What them" asked Darlington.
Then he offered a hundred pounds
for the tastes boat to put him aboard
the Flying Star afore she got clear
into the channel"
And he took Cooper's boat" sale
another boatman.
rs she the fastest in the harbor?'
"Well, there's some as do say that jim
Haight's boats got the heels of her.
Here's your ten pounds" said Car
rington. Where's Haight?"
Here be, MASTER
"A hundred pounds to you,'' sale
Darlington, IF you put me aboard tina,
ship, and another hundred if you put
me there before Strathgate.''
And if 1 don't do neither?" re
turned Haight, quickly.
Nothing" said Darlington. Its
win or lose.'
Il take you, yer HONOR CRIED
Haight, whose sporting blood was
aroused, and the remark was greeted
by three cheers from the wharf.
IF it's in the power of a Ports
mouth boat to do it, Haight's the mar
for you, MASTER" said one old vet
eran.
Stay" continued Haight, I'D like
to know who I'm dealin' with
I'm Lord Darlington, first lieuten
ant of the Niobe yonder'
He pointed to one of the frigates
swinging ahead in the line of battle
ships of Kephard's fleet.
"Right-o, your lordship," said Haight
making sea scrape at the mention OF
rank, social, political and naval, of his
speaker. Lads, who goes with us?'
He picked up three or four volun
teers, to whom Darlington promised q
suitable reward.
MY boats twice as big "a Cooper.
cutter, and I need the hands, your
lordship."
Take anybody, anything you
please" said Darlington. Where's the
boat?''
she be lynn beyond the other pier
Shall bring her here, OPP
We'll go there" returned my lord
IT'S quicker"