Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-12-27

entrance and down the dock like an
avalanche, leaving behind them the
battling officers and the hungry pack
clamoriny for the prisoner.
drop that freight and get aboard
the best way you CAM" Boyd yelled at
the fishermen, and, with a bound, was
out into the open. crying to Captain
Peasley on the bridge:
"Here they come! Cast off. for
Gods sake"
The dozen men who had been sling
ing freight on the dock FASTENED up
the gangplank or climbed the tenders.
while the signalman chung to the lift
ing tackle and, at the piping cry of his
whistle, was swung alOft out of the
very arms of the rioters.
Above. on the flying bridge, Captain
Peaslcy was believing orders. At last
the Bedford Castle was under way.
.
Even after they were miles down
the sound Boyd remained at his post.
sweeping the waters astern in an anX-
ious search for some swift harbOr
craft. the appearance Of which would
signal that his escape had been dis
covered.
II won't feel safe until we are past
Port Townsend" he confessed to Cher
~, who maintained position at his
side. "The police can wire on from
Seattle to stop us and take me Off at
that point
IF they find ont their mistake
"They must have found it out long
ago. That's why I've got Peaslcy
forcing this old tub. She's doing 10
knots, and that's breakneck speed
for her Once we're through the
straits I'll be satisfied"
"What will happen to Fraser?' she
queried.
Nothing serious, am sure. You
see, they wanted me and nobody else.
Once they find they have the wrong
man l rather believe they will free
him in disgust"
A moment later he went on: "Just
the same, 1t makes me feel depressed
and guilty to leave him. IL wouldn't
desert comrade for anything if the
choice lay with me-"
you did quite right" Cherry warm
" assured him.
you see, l am not working for my
self. 1 am doing this for another"
1t was the girls turn to sigh softly,
while the eyes she turned toward the
west were strangely sad and dreamy.
1.-TWO hours more,' he told her as
the ships bell sounded. then can
eat and sleep-and sing"
Captain Peasley was pacing the
bridge when later they breasted the
glare Of Port Townsend and saw in
the distance the flashing searchlights
Of the forts that guard the straits.
They saw him stop suddenly and
raise his night glasses. Boyd laid his
hand on Cherry's arm. Presently the
captain crossed to them and said:
"Yonder seems to be a launch max
ing out. See! l wonder what's up.
BY Jove! They're signaling"
The two boats We're drawing together
and soon those on the bridge
heard the faint but increasing putter
Of gasoline exhaust. Carrying the
same speed as the Bedford Castle, the
launch shortly came within hailing
distance. The cyclopean eye Of the
ships searchlight blazed up. and the
next instant out from the gloom
leaped little craft. ON the deck of
which man stood waving lantern.
She held steadfastly to her course, and
a voice foated up to them:
"Ahoy! What ship?'
"The Bedford Castle, cannery tender,
for Bristol bay Peasley shouted
back.
The man on the launch relinquished
his lantern and, using both palms FOR
a funnel, cried more clearly now:
"Heave to! We want to come
aboard"
With an exclamation of impatience.
the commanding officer stepped to the
but Emerson forestalled
him.
"Wait. They're after me, captain: it's
The Port Townsend police. and if you
let them aboard they'll take me Off"
Turning, the skipper beloved:
"Who are you?"
"Police!
"What did I tell you?' cried Emcr-
son.
what do you want?"
zone Of your passengcrs-Em Emerson.
Heave to. You're passing u.s."
THAT'S bloody hard luck, Mr.. Emer-
son: l can't help myself" the captain
declared. But again Boyd blocked him
IS he started for the telegraph.
~ won't stand it. sir. It's a con
;piracy to ruin me-"
But, my dear young man
Don't touch that Instrument
From the launch came cries of grow
ng vehemence, and a startled murmur
II voices rose from somewhere in the
Of the deck beneath.
"Stand aside" Peasley ordered gruff.
y. But the other held his ground,
aging quietly:
II warn you. am desperate"
"Shall stop her, sir?" the quarter
master asked from the shadows of the
"No!' Emerson commanded sharp
y, and in the glow from the pinnacle
light they saw he had drawn his re-
oliver, while on the instant up from
he void beneath heaved the massive
gure of Big George Bait, behemoth.
more colossal and threatening than
yer in the dim light He wrenched
pen the door and with one sweep Of