The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1910-04-28
A Story of
Graustark
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTCHEON

lrleuuS DdCk tneFe.
Not another word passed between
them for ten or twelve minutes. She
peered a~nXiously ahead, looking for
signs Of the barge dock, which lay
somewhere along this section Of the
city wall.
At last the sound of rapidly work
ing rowlocks came to the girls ears.
They're after U.S." grated Truxton
In desperation. They've got word to
friends II way or another. By Jove,
I'm nearly tagged too! can't pull
much farther. Hello, What's this?'
The side Of the boat caromed off a
solid object In the water, almost spill
ing them into the wind blown river.
THE docks!' she whispered. I'VE
struck a small scow, l think. Can you
find your way in among the coal
barges?"
He padded along slowly, feeling his
way, scraping alongside the big barges
which delivered coal from the distant
mines. At last he found an opening
and pushed through. A moment later
they were riding under the stern Of a
broad ~cargoless barge, plumb up
against the water Tapped piles Of the
dock.
Standing In the bow Of the boat, he
managed to pull himself up over the
slippery edge. 1t was the work Of a
second TO draw her up after him. he
gave the boat Il mighty shove, sending
1t out into the stream once more.
In a few minutes loud curses came
from the river, proclaiming the fact
that the pursuers had found the empty
boat. Afterward they were to learn
that Viewpoints shouts had brought a
boat load Of men from the opposite
bank, headed by the innkeeper. in
whose place Lorraine was to have en-
countered Marlanx later on, if plans
had not miScarried.
BY this time King had located the
open space which undoubtedly afford
ed room for the transfer of cargoes
from the dock to the %company's yards
inside the walls. Without hesitation
he drew her after him up this wide,
sinister roadway.
The pursuers were trying for a land
ing, noisily, even bOisterously. 1t
struck TruXton as queer that these
men were MOI afraid Of alarming the
watchmen on the docks or The man at
the gate above. Suddenly it came 10
him that there would be no one there
to oppose the landing of the miscre-
ants. No doubt hundreds Of men al
ready had stolen through these gates
during the night, secreting themselves
in the Businesses Of the city, ready for
the morrow's fray.
They rushed up the narrow railway
chutes and through one of h numer-
Gus gateways that opened out upon the
barge docks. No one opposed them.
No one was standing guard. From be-
hind came the sound of rushing foot
steps. Lightning flashed in the sky,
and the rumble Of thunder broke over
the desolate night.
They'll see us by the lightning"
gasped Truxton. almost ready to drop
from faintness and exhaustion.
Following a vivid fash Of lightning,
two shots were fired by the men who
were now plunging up through the
gates, a hundred yards or more away.
The same flash Of lightning SHOWED
to King the narrow. muddy street
that stretched ahead of them. Instead
Of doing the obvious thing he turned
sharply to the left, between the lines
Of freight cars. Their progress was
slow.
At last they came to the end of their
rope. They were literally up against
the great city wall.
A car door stood open in front Of
them. He waited for a second fash
OF lightning TO reveal to him the ma
ture of its interior. 1t was quite emp
ty. Without hesitation he clambered
in and pulled her up after him. They
fell over on the floor, completely fag-
ged.
A few minutes later the storm broke.
He managed to close the door against
the driving torrents.
We've fooled Them" he managed to
whisper close to her ear. They won't
look here. You're safe, Lorraine. Cad.
I'd like to see any n get you away
from me now!"
She pressed his arm. Then she was
fast asleep.
He sat with his back against the side
Of the car, a pistol in n hand. the
other lying tenderly upon the drench-
ed hair Of the girl whose head rested
upon his leg. She had slipped down
from his shoulder. He did not have
the desire or the energy to prevent 1t.
Manfully as he had fought against the
impelling desire to sleep. he could not
beat 1t of. His last waking thought
was Of the effort he must make to
reach Dangloss with the warning.
Something stirred in the far end OF
the cara still small noise as Of some
thing alive that moved with the un.
most wariness. A heavy, breathing
body crept stealthily across the inter
vening space, 80 quietly that q mouse
could have made but little less noise.
An instant later the blush flame Of
. sulphur match struggled for life,