The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-09-23

catching sight of two of my retainers.
get close about. Have you seen any
thing signs of the enemy?"
Il haven't" said Fitzhugh. but
Abrams thought he. saw Dotty Fer
guson over by the Fair Wind saloon
there. Said he cut up Clay street be-
fore the rest of us caught sight of
him-so maybe Abrams was OF his
nut"
Quite likely" l admitted as we
turned the jutting corner of the build
ing and came under shelter by the
ticket Office. But keep a close
watch"
The other four retainers were in
the passageway, and l called to the
ticket seller for the tickets to Liver
more. BY the price l decided that
Livermore must be somewhere within
so miles, and marshaling my troop
about the boy, marched into the wait
ing room. past the doorkeeper, through
the sheds and on to the ferry boat
l saw no sign OF the enemy, and
breathed freer as the last belated
passenger leaped aboard. the folding
gangplank was raised and the steamer,
with a prolonged blast of the whistle,
slid out into the yellow-green water
Of the bay.
Keep together. boys" l cautioned
my retainers Has any one seen
signs of the other gang?"
There was a general murmur in the
negative.
We'll, Abrams. will you slip around
and see if any of them got aboard
There's no such thing as being com
Portable until We are sure"
In the hurry and excitement of prep
| lration and departure the orders had
given and received. and the work that
filed every moment, had been con.
| scious of the uneasy burden of task
forgotten. ! mad surely neglected
! something. Yet for my life could not
see that We lacked anything. l had
with us, had my purse. We were well
armed and every man had his ticket to
Livermore But at last the cause OF
my troubles came to my mind.
Great Scott" thought. Its Dodd'
ridge Knapp. That little engagement
n the stock market is casting its
shadow before"
1t seemed likely indeed that the de-
mands of my warning employers would
clash here as we'll as in the conflict
over the boy.
Yet with all the vengeful feeling
that filled my heart as l looked on the
child and called up the memory OF
my murdered friend, l could but feel
a pang of regret at the prospect that
Doddridge Enapp's fortune should be
placed in hazard through any unfaith
fulness of mine.
My uncomfortable reflections were
broken by the changing engine bells
and the forward movement of the pas
sengers as the steamboat passed into
the slip at Long Wharf.
Stand together. boys" l cautioned
my men. Keep back of the crowd
! Wainwright will take the boy. and the
rest of you see that nobody gets near
him."
"An right" said Wainwright, lifting
the child in his arms. 1T will take a
good man to get him away from me. y
where's Abrams" l asked, noting
that only six of my men were at hand
You sent him forward" said Lock.
hart
We'll. he hasn't been seen since you
told him to find out who's aboard"
It's no use to wait for him."
growled. But the next man that
takes French leave had better look
somewhere else for job, for by the
great horn spoon, he's no man OF
mine"
We marched of the boat in the rear
of the crowd, in no pleasant humor,
and the men silent in reflection of my
displeasure. And with some difficulty
we found seats together in forward
coach.
The train was the east-bound over.
land, and it seemed hours before the
baggage was taken aboard and the
signal given to start. I grew uneasy,
but as my watch assured me that only
10 minutes had passed when the en-
CINE gave the first gentle pull at the
train, l suspected that was losing the
gift of patience.
(TO BE CoNTINUED.)