Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-11-04

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 kite was
long line of canoes, and these also
were peopled.
Look yonderr' cried Boyd
"whatY'
Cherry has got-a crew. His voice
broke, and he bOlted toward the door
as Big George 'leaped to the window.
"Injunsr' wildly shouted the giant,
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.
What does this mean?" Boyd asked
her breathlessly. will these fellows
work?''
That's what they're here for" said
the girl After her swarmed a crowd
of slant eyed, copper hued Aleuts
Those in the kayaks astern cast off and
padded toward the beach.
7T've got fifty men, the best on the
river. 1 tried to get more, but-there
aren't any more"
"Fingerless" Fraser slapped himself
resoundingly upon the thigh and ex-
plode6 profanely. Boyd seized the
girls hands in his and wrung them.
Cherry, you're a treasure" The
memory OF his desperate resolution Of
a moment before swept over him sud
denly and his voice trembled with a
great thankfulness.
Don't thank mer' Cherry ex-
claimed. ut was more Constantines
work than mine
But 1 don't understand. These are
Marsh's men,"
ITO be sure. but I 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't
work half as hard rs white men, but
it's the best l could do" She laughed
gladly, more than repaid by the look in
her companions face. Now get me
some lunch. I'm fairly starved"
Big George, when he had fully
grasped the situation. became the boss
fisherman on the instant. Before the
others had reached the cookhouse he
was busted 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.
That night the floors of the fish dock
groaned beneath 4 weight of silver
sided salmon piled waist high to tail
man. All through the cool. dim lit
hours the ranks Of Chinese butchers
hacked and slit and slashed with swift,
sure, tireless strokes, while the great
building echoed holloway to the clank
Of machines ard the kissing signs of
the soldering furnaces.
1t seemed to Boyd that be had never
felt such elation as during the days
that followed. He trod upon air; his
head was in the clouds. He joked with
his men. inspiring them with his own
good humor and untiring energy. He
was never idle save during the odd
hours that he snatched for sleep.
While the daily output was disap-
pearing, Emerson drew consolation
from the prospect that his pack would
be large enough at least to avert utter
ruin.
Up at the trusts headquarters Willis
Marsh was in fine fury. AS far as
possible his subordinates avoided him.
On the third day after Boyd's deliv-
erance Constantine sought him out in
company with several of the native
fishermen, tranSlating their demand to
be paid for the fish they had caught.
Cant they walt until the end of the
week. Emerson inquired.
mo. They got no money-they got
no grub. They say little baby is hon
CRY, and they like money now. So soon
they buy grub, they work some more
VERY well. Here's an order on the
bookkeeper.'
Boyd tore a leaf from his notebook
and wrote a few words on it. telling
the men to present it at the Office. AS
Constantine was about to leave he
called to him:
"Wait, l want to talk with you
The breed halted.
How long have you known Mr.
Marsh9'
ME know him long time"
DO you like him."
flicker ran over the fellows cop
perry face as he replied:
Yes. Him good man.
You used to work for him, did you
notY'
Yes"
why did you ouitT
Constantine heSitated slightly before
answering, Me go work for Cherry"
"Why?
"She good to my little broder. You
savvy little chirren-so bigp'
yes. I've seen him. He's a fine lit
tie fellow. By the way, do you re-
member that night about two weeks
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