The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1909-12-17

andale at discreet distance and ther
bore off again.
Let us not go too near shore any
where" said Helen; and Miss Pal
murmured acquiesCenCe,
mo; we don't care to meet people,
she remarked, tritie anXiously.
I'm afraid | don't know any to in.
troduce you to- replied, and turned
away into the broadest part of the
lake. The launch was capable of a
lively clip and the engine worked cap.
italy. | had no fear of being caught,
even If we should be pursued, and
this, in the broad light of the peaceful
Sabbath afternoon, seemed the re.
hottest possibility.
1t had been understood that we
were to remain out until the sun
dropped into the western wood, and
loitered on toward the upper lake
where the shores were rougher.
THAT'S real island over there
they call it Battle Orchard-you must
have glimpse of it,"
oh. nothing is SO delightful as an
island." exclaimed Helen.
lima had scanned the lake con.
stantly since We started, as was his
habit. Miss Pat turned to speak to
Helen of the shore that now swept
away from us in broader curves as we
passed out Of the connecting channel
into the farther lake. lima remarked
TO me quietly, as though speaking Of
| the engine:
There's a man following in a row.
boat"
And as I replied to some remark by
Miss Pat saw, half a mile distant,
Its sails hanging idly, a sloop that an.
sWered Gillespies description of the
StlIetto. It's snowy canvas shone
white against the green yerdure Of
Battle Orchard.
Shut off the power a moment We
will turn here, Ijima'-and | called
Miss Pats attention to hoary old
sycamore on the western shore.
"Oh, I'm disappointed not to cruise
nearer the island with the romantic
name" cried Helen. And there's a
yacht over there, too"
| already had the boat swung round, |
and in reversing the course lost the |
Stiletto, which chung to the island
shore; but | saw now quite plainly the |
rowboat lima had reported as follow
ing us. 1t hung off about a quarter of |
mile and its single occupant had
ceased rowing and shipped his oars
as though waiting. He was between |
us and the strait that connected the
upper and lower lakes. Though not
alarmed | was irritated by my care.
lessness in venturing through the
strait and anxious to return to the less
Wild part of the lake. | did not dare
look over my shoulder, but kept talk
Ing to my passengers, while lima,
with the rare intuition of his race, I'm.
ders:ood the situation and indicated
by gestures the course.
There's boat sailing through the
green, green wood exclaimed Helen;
and true enough, as we crept in close
TO the shore, we could still see, across
wooded point Of the island, the sails
OF the Stlletto, as Of boat of dreams,
drifting through the trees. And as |
looked | saw something more. A tinv
signal flag was run quickly to the ton.
mast head, withdrawn once and
flashed back; and as | faced the bow
again the boatman dropped his oars
into the water.
What a strengthening man." re-
marked Miss Pat.
He doesn't look like a native" re.
piled, carelessly.
Inc launch swung slowly around,
cutting halfcircle, of which the Ital.
Ians boat was the center. He dallied
idly with his oars and seemed to nav
no heed to us, though he glanced sew.
eral times toward the yacht, which
had now crept into full view, and I'M
Ter a freshening breeze was bearing
southwark
Full speed, lima"
The engine responded instantly. and
we cut through the water smartly.
mere was a space of about Is yards
between the boatman and the nearer
shore, did not believe that he would
10 more than try to annoy us by for.
sing us on the swampy shore; for it
was still broad daylight and we were
likely at any moment to meet other
craft. | was confident that. with any
sort of luck | could slip past him
md gain the strait, or dodge and run
'ound him before he could change the
course OF his heavy skiff.
kicked the end of an oar which
he launch carried for emergencies
Ind lima, on this hint, drew it toward
lin.