Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-01-24
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER xv.
|0HE main body Of salmon struck
into the Kalvik river on the
first day Of July. For week
~ past the run had been slowly
growing while the canneries tested
themselves. but on the opening day OF
the new month the horde issued boldly
forth from the depths Of the sea. and
rhe battle began in earnest
At times they swan with cieaving
fms exposed Again they churned the
placid waters until swift eombers
raced across the shallow bars like
tidal waves. while the deeper channels
we're shot through with shadowy forms
Or pierced 10y the lightning CLINT OF sill
vered bellies They streamed In With
the tlood tide 10 retreat again with the
ebb. but there was neither haste nor
caution in their progress. They had
come In answer to the breeding call OF
the sea. and It's e1ultation was upon
them. driving them relentlessly on
ward. They had no voice against Its
overmastering spell.
The time had come for man to take
his toll
Al Emerson's cannery there fell
sudden panic. for fifty fishermen quit
Returning from the banks on the nhs 4or
before the run started. they stacked
tLeir gear and notified Boyd Emerson
of their determination. Then. despite
his utmost efforts to dissuade them.
they took their packs upon their shoul-
ders and marched up the beach to VIII
lis Marsh's plant. Larsen. the DAY
foreman. acted as their spokesman.
and Boyd recognized too late the result
of that conversation he had interrupt.
ed on the night Of his visit TO Cherry.
This detection diminished his boat
crew by more than half. and. while the
shoremen stoutly maintained their 10y
alty. the chance Of putting up pack
seemed lost. Boyd swallowed his pride
and went straightway to his enemy.
He found Marsh well recovered from
his flesh wound Of week or more be-
fore. vet extremely cautious for his
safety. rs he evidenced by conducting
the interview before witnesses.
I'VE are short handed. and | gave
instructions to secure every available
man" he announced at the conclusion
OF Emerson's story. 1t is not my fault
II your men prefer to work for me-"
Then YOU force me to retaliate.'
said Boyd u shall hire your men out
from under you"
Marsh laughed provokingly-
TRY it! am good organizer. if
nothing else If you send emissaries
TO my plants 1t will cause certain vio-
lence. and think YOU had better
avoid that. for we outnumber you ten
10 one
Emerson left in disgust. Nor had
be hit upon any method Of relief when
Cherry came down to the plant on the
following morning. She inquired
straightway:
What are you doing about it: You
can AuOrO III iuSe all uOui'
u have sent man TO each Of the
other plants 10 hire fishermen at any
price. but have no hope that they
will succeed. Marsh has his crews too
well in hand for that"
Cherry nodded They wouldn't
dare quit him now He'd never let
them return to this country If they
did Meanwhile the rest Of your force
is on the banks. presume"
YES"
How many boats have you:'
Ten"
"IIeaveus. And this is the first day
OF the run. IL looks bad. doesn't It?
Has the trap begun TO I'LL"
No George Is down there now. ]
guess .Iarsh succeeded in corking It
Meanwhile all the other plants are
working while my Chinks are playing
fantan. seem to bring misfortune
upon every one connected with me.
don't II" he added I'm afraid I'm
POOR sort"
How boyish he was. the girl thought
renderly. yet how splendidly brave he
had been throughout the fight! There
was voiceless, maternal yearning In
her heart as she asked him gravely:
IF you fail now 1t will mean-the
end Of everything, will 1t not?"
Yes" He squared his tired shoul.
ders. But am not beaten yet You
taught me never to give up. Cherry.
II have to 60 back home without a
catch and see Hilliard take this plant
over. why-Ill begin once more at
something new. and some day ! will
succeed. But l shan't give up. I'll
can what salmon we catch and then
begin all over again next season"
"And-suppose you don't succeed!
Suppose Hilliard won't carry you!"
Then / shall try something else.
Maybe shall go to mining again.
don't know. Anyhow. she would not
let me grow disheartened II she were
here. She wouldn't let me quit. She
isn't that sort"
Cherry Malotte stirred and shifted
her gaze uncertainty to the cleaning
bay. Abreast of them the feet OF
fishing boats were drifting with the
tide. In the distance others were dot
ted clear away to where the opal
ocean lay. A tug was passing. and
she saw the sun fash from the cargo
In its tow. while the faint echo Of a
song came waiting to her ears. She
stood so for a long moment, 6ghting
manfully with herself. then wheeled
upon him suddenly. There was new
tone In her voice as she said:
Tf you will let me have one OF your
launches | may be able to help you"
"How?" be demanded quickly.
Never mind how. It's long chance
and hardly worth trying. but-may
lake the boat?'
Certainly" said he. There's one
living at the dock"
He led her to the shore and saw
her aboard. then waved goodby ana
walked moodily back to the office. graf
Iified that she should try to help him,
ret certain that she could not succeed
where he and George had failed.
| .sr,s--,o..,. ESracor had hroakfaafo6