The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-09-07


 'swE CAN GET HIM TONIGHT IF YOU SAY so.' had not George Balt's heavy step big fellow entered.
 What did you find at the traps ?" asked Emerson eagerly.
 -tNothing.'' George spoke shortly s@The fish struck in this morning, but our trap is corked.'' He wrenched off his rubber boots and flung them sav- agely under bench.
 'eWhat luck with the boats?"
 ''Not much. Marsh's men are trying to surround our gill netters, and we ain't got enough boats to protect our selves He looked up meaningly from under his heavy brows and inquired. ''How much longer are we going to stand for this?''
 What do you mean? I've got men out hunting for new hands"
 You know what I mean.'' the giant rumpled. his red eyes flaming. .'Yo, and can get Willis Marsh
 Emerson shot quick glance at Fra ser, who was staring fxedly at Big George.
 He's got us right enough, and ifs bound to come to a killing some day, so the sooner the better," the fisher man ran on. we can get him tonight if you say so. Are you in on 1tP'
 Boyd faced the window slowly. while the others followed him with anxious eyes. Inside the room 8 deathlike si lence settled
 Moreover, Mildred wayland was soon to arriye-the yacht was expected daf1y-and she would find him a fail ure. What was worse, she would find that Marsh had vanquished him. She would turn elsewhere-perhaps to the very man who had contrfved his un- doing. At thought of this a sort of desperation seemed to master him; he began to mutter aloud.
 .sWhat did you say ?'' queried Bait
 'tI said that you are right. The time is close at hand for some sort of a reckoning" answered Boyd in harsh. strained voice.
 "GoodY'
 Emerson was upon the point of turn ing when his eyes fell upon a picture that made him start, then gaze more intently. Out upon the placid waters, abreast of the plant, the launch in which Cherry had departed was ap- preaching, and it was loaded down with men. Not only were they crowd ed upon the craft itself, but trailing behind it like the tail of a kite was long line. of canoes, and these also were peopled.
 Look yonderr' cried Boyd
 sfWhat?'
 'tCherry has got-a crewY' His voice as Big George leaped to the window.
 ~4-iIf7IIy +1,o erio at and without stopping to stamp his feet into his boots he rushed out barefoot after Boyd and Fraser Together the three men reached the dock in time to help Cherry up the ladder.
 tfWhat does this mean" Boyd asked her breathlessIy. ''WiD these fellows worlS?''
 That's what they're here for" said the girl. After her swarmed a crowd of slant eyed. copper hped Aleuts Those in the kyaks astern cast off and padded toward the beach.
 'I've got fifty men, the best on the river. tried to get more, but-there aren't any more.'' ss. -...s'----
 'eFingerless,a Fraser slapped himself resoundingly upoE the thigh and e1- ploded profane1y. Boyd seized the girls hands in his and wrung them.
 Cherry, you're treasurer The memory of his desperate resolution of a moment before swept over him sud- denly and his voice trembIcd with a great thankfulness.
 Don't thank mer' Cherry ex- claimed ''It was more Constantine's work than mine.''
 'rBut I don't understand. These are Marsh's men,"
 t"To be sure. but was good to them when they were hungry last winter, and I prevailed upon them to come. They aren't very good fishermen They're awful lazy and they won'- work half as hard as white men, but it's the best I could do." She laughed gladly, more than repaid by the look in her companions face. Now get me some lunch. Pm fairly starved"
 Big George, when he had fully grasped the situation, became the boss fisherman on the instant. Before tho others had reached the cookhouse he was busfed in laying out his crews and distributing his gear. The impossible had happened; victory was in sight; the fish were running. He cared to know no more.