Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-29


matter with Pete. He knew enough to work
without being told to do SO, and never seemed
to grow tired, as long as his services were
needed.
When the sun had set and there were no
tidings from the boys, there could no longer
be any doubt but that True and Bent had
miles below, walking still further down the
river in the hope of finding the boat.
Pete continued to fire the gun Jethro light
flagstaff, while Jimmie built big bonfire,
piling it high with well-seasoned fuel, until
the glare of the flames could be seen many
miles away-further even than the report OF
the musket could be heard.
1t was through this plan of Jimmie's that
True and Bent finally succeeded In hndlng
their way back.
About nine o'clock the report of gun was
family heard in the distance, and half an hour
later True and Bent were in the sitting room
of the River Queen, with three squirrels as
the result of their long hunt, relating their
experiences.
Game had not been found in such abund-
ance as they had been led to believe, and
they had tramped on and on, seeing now and
then squirrel or bird, which was sufficient
to INDUCE them to continue their search.
Finally, after bagging three squirrels, they
had started toward the river, and on reaching
it had experienced the same difficulty Jethro
had warned them against
thinking they were below it, had tramped ON
up the river until darkness set it, when they
became convinced they had made mistake.
While they were discussing the question
they saw the reflection of Jim's bonfire and
at once retraced their steps, replying to
Peters signal as soon as they heard 1T.
As may be supposed, they were completely
tired out, and went to bed as soon as they
had told their story, falling at once into a
deep slumber from which they were not even
1.t,, i,a1 hxrf f1nIG nf Oqff
under way next morning.
When they did come out of their room the
River Queen was near the town OF West
Point in Kentucky Jim having determined
to stop there, in the hope OF selling his chick
ems.
To the surprise of all on board, large
crowd had gathered just above the wharf
boat as if to see them come into port; and
hardly had the hatboat been made fast, whep
three men leaped on board, one of ther
holding folded paper in his hand, which he
held above his head, as he said: 80
81 arrest you all for the theft of two sklffs
and quantity of chickens from Samuel Har-
mar. 1t is useless for YOU to deny it. for
| see the skiffs with his mark on them, and
it is plain enough to be seen that you have
the chickens there in the coop on the roof. L
advise YOU to say nothing which might crlml
nate yourselves, but to come with me peace
ably"
The bows stood in speechless amazement
as the officer of the law announced the pur-
pose of his visit.
They knew only too well that Mr.. Harmar
had been robbed of about the same number
of chickens as they bad on board, and aiss
that at least one Of the skiffs had formerly
belonged to that gentleman. They did not
stop to question how the news could have
gotten down the river ahead of them, so con-
fused were they all as they realized what
strong grounds for suspicion there were
against them
1t was only after the officer had begun to
lock the doors of the boat as a sign that he
had taken possession of her, that jim recov-
cred presence of mind sufficiently to say:
"You are making mistake, SIR. We were
hailed by Mr. Harmar, just after the robbery
was committed, and gave news of 1t all the
way down the river. He gave us one OF those
skiffs to pay US for our trouble; the other
skiff belongs to this boy, who boarded us the
other day, and, as for the chickens, we can
prove that we bought them."
81 have no doubt but that you have good
story made up; but you'll find that it isn't
quite good enough. Three men. gave us the
information last night, and what Is more,
they told us you had the stolen property on
today, and we were all ready to put out and
take possession of your boat if you hadn't
stopped"
II knowed It'll knowed It'll" groaned Jeth-
ro. "And to think that We had them scamps
because ~ W we was afraid they would git wet!',
It had dawned upon Jethro, as it had upon
Jim and his friends, who these informants
were. The robbers had passed the River
Queen while she was lying at the bank, wait
ing for the hunters to return, and either out
Of spirit of revenge, or because they were
afraid the boys would continue to give infor-
nation regarding them, had made up this
story to cause the boat to be detained"
sBoth skiffs have got Harmar's mark on
them" reported one of the men who had
been examining the boats, and the crowd on
the shore set up yell Of derision at thieves
who were SO clumsy in their work as not to
erase a simple paint mark:
ssPete," said Jim, appealingly, as sudden
thought came to him, talk this time if you