Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-20

and try to obtain a boat and a man
WHO knew the district.
He waited under the trees for two
hours, and experienced a physical dis
comfort that increased the bitterness
of his spirit. Sir William Tankerlane
was not used to roughing it, and from
his earliest boyhood he had been ac-
customed to find everything he want
ed ready to his hand. But now he had
not tasted food for several hours. he
was exceedingly thirsty and the cold
raw air Of the marshes chilled him
from head to foot He did not dare
to move about or stamp his feet. or
even light a cigarette He had already
heard mems voices in the wood behind
him, and he remembed that Shil had
threatened to deal hardly with him if
he fingered in the neighborhood.
AT last, however, Shil himself ap-
peared with the keeper, and Tanker
lane shrank close against the wall,
and watched him go down to the punt.
He knew well enough that they could
not see him, but he was afraid of the
dog which SUNK behind their heels.
Pat, however, whose previous efforts
at foretelling danger and disaster had
met with such a chilling reception,
was not inclined to render further SER
vice to his master. He detected a
strangers presence. but he contented
himself with sniff and furtive
glance behind him, and continued his
detected progress towards the. boat.
\ Tankerlane could not hear most Of
tho ion VIII oH
tween Shil and the keeper. But as
luck would have it. he distinctly heard
one sentence Of the keepers last re-
mark
I'D make straight for them islands
tother side of creek, and breakfast at
Con'sea -
Probably the words had been spok-
en- more loudly, as greater distance
then separated the speaker from the
man in the boat. But, in any case Tan.
kerlane heard the sentence, and under
stood that it was valuable clue.
"Consea," he muttered to himself
That's the place III get to- won
der if it's marke don the map"
He watched John Shil hoist his sail
and glide down the creek, and he
waited till the footsteps of the keeper
Who had passed through the gate into
the wood had died away in the dis
lance. Then, with sigh Of relief, he
stepped out on to the road. and rap
idly retraced his steps to the railway
station, which seemed to be the only
habitation besides Black Hall in the
dreary wilderness of marshland
The brisk walk put warmth into his
,,ir t,,t< l.;
and, when he arrived at the station,
he felt that. after a good meal and a
glass of whisky and Soda he would
he equal to any task that he might
have to undertake He pictured to him
self thick chop and fried potatoes,
and even the thought of bread and
cheese was sweet to him.
But when he interrogated the sulky
looking porter who loitered aimlessly
about the platform, he learnt that
none of these delicacies could be pro
cured without further walk of three
miles to the Blue Anchor.
Perhaps the station master will
ohlige me- he said, holding out a
half crown
The man took the money and mum,
hled out inarticulate gratitude. Then
he paused and looked down the line
as If seeking Inspiration.
Hem q vegetarian" he said. after
a long pause. 'He don't hold with
folks as he calls 'guzzlers. He live
on bread and Stops. he do. and ] don't
reckon It's good stuff. iudgin' by his
| temper. Hem sour as green apple
"Ill walk TO the inn" said Tanker
lane sharply. and then he remembered
that it would be no good REMAINING
in the neighborhood unless he could
get boat.
81 want boat" he said suddenly.
The porter capped at him with open
| month and eyes. The mans slow MIND
could not guess at the quick transi
ton of thought. He thought he was
confronted with a mailman, who want
ed TO feed on timber and sailcloth
"Roat?" he said stupidity, what be
wantin' with boat?''
81 want boat and a man to row
it or sail it, and | want it at once. Dr.
YOU know of anyone who has got
boat and would like to earn a couple
of sovereigns?"
Cant get to the Blue Anchor b,
boat" the man replied with chuckle
"'Tis along the road"
Damn the Blue Anchor and you
too" exclaimed Tankerlane, now thor
ouehly eXasperated. 81 want boat t,
90 down the creeks. Do you knew o
lanyone who has got such a thing?"