The Detroit times., 1911-11-14
The Prodigal Judge
VAUGHAN KESTER



Don't be too sure OF that" said
Darlington sternly. The girl met the
menace OF his words with soft, full
throated laughter.
why. yo' hands shakin' now, Mr..
Carrington."
You know me?"
Yes. ! seen you once at Boggs'
She made an impatient movement.
You can't do nothing against
them TO- men unless | help you. Miss
Malroy's to go down river tonight:
they're only waiting TO- a pilot-you-
alls got 10 act quick
Darlington hesitated.
why do you want Miss Malroy to
escape?" he said.
The girls mood changed abruptly.
She scowled at him.
Il reckon that's a private matter.
Amt IL enough TO- you-all to know
that | do? I'm showing how IL can
be done. Them four men on the keel
boat are strangers in these parts,
they're waiting 10 a pilot, but they
don't know who he'll be- I've heard
you-all was river-man; what's to
hinder 20 taking the pilots place?
Looks like yo' was willing TO risk
20 life TO Miss Malroy or you would
not be here
I'm ready" said Darlington, his
hand on the door.
NO, you ain't-iest yet" interpos-
ed the girl hastily. Listen to me
first. They's dugout tied up bout
hundred yards above the keel boat:
you must get that to cross In to the
other side of the bayou, then when
yo're ready TO come back yo're TO
whistle three times-it's the signal
we're expecting-and I'll row across
10 you in one of-the skiffs.
Can you SEQ Miss Malroy in the
meantime?"
IF want to; they's nothin' TO him
der me-" responded Bess sullenly.
Tell her then" began Darlington,
but Bess interrupted him
Il know what yo' want. She amt
TO cry out or nothin when she sees
you-all. ! got sense enough To- that"
Darlington looked at her curious
ly.
This may be serious business for
your people" he said significantly,
and watched her narrowly.
And you-all may get killed.
reckin II you want TO do thing bad
enough you don't mind much what
comes after" she answered with a
hard little laugh, as she went from
the shed
Come" said Darlington to the
Negro. when he had seen the cabin
door close on Bess and her lantern:
and they stole across the clearing.
Reaching the bayou side they began
which they quickly found. and Car
rington turned to George. Can you
SWIM he asked.
Yes. Mas'r."
Then go down into the water and
uras the canoe farther along the
snore-and for Gods sake. no sound!'
he cautioned.
They placed second hundred
yards between themselves and the
Keel boat in this manner, then he had
george bring the dugout TO the bank,
and they embarked. Keeping within
the shadow of the trees that fringed
the shore, Darlington padded silent.
~ ABOUT the head OF the bayou.
george, he at length said, bend.
ing toward the Negro; my horse il
ueo IN the woods on the righthand
side OF the road just above where You
were taken from the carriage last
nlght-you can be at Belle Plain I'm.
side Of an hour"
Look here. Mas'r Caington. those
foiks yonder Is kin TO Boss Hicks. II
he gets his hand on me first don't you
reckon he'll stop my mouth? | been
| here heaps OF times fotchin letters
TO Mas'r Tom" added George.
Who were the letters for?" asked
the Kentuckian, greatly surprised
They was To- that Captain Muir
rell; seems like him and Mas'r Tom
was mixed up in a sight OF business.
When was this-recently in
quired Darlington. He was turning
this astonishing statement of the slave
over In his mind.
We'll, no, Mas'r: seems like they
amt 80 thick here recently"
4. reckon you'd better keep away
from the big house yet a WHILE" said
Darlington. Instead OF going there.
stop at the Belle Plain landing. You'll
find raft tied up to the shore: II be-
longs to a man named Cavendish.
Tell him what you know-that I've
found Miss Malroy and the boy: tell
him to cast off and drift down here.
I'll run the keel boat aground the
first chance get so tell him to keep
sharp lookout"
Continued.
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