The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1911-12-20


I knew It," she chided II was saying
that the condition OF the Flibberty
Gibbet was disgraceful. aud that to-
morrow. when you've told the skipper
and not hurt his feelings | am going
to take my men out and give her an
overhauling Wen scrub her bottom
too. Why. there's whiskers on her
copper four inches long. | saw it
when she rolled. Don't forget, I'm
going cruising on the Flibberty some
day. even If have TO run away with
her"
While at their coffee on the veranda
Satan raised commotiOn in the com
pound near the beach gate. and Shell
don finally rescued n mauled and
frightened black and dragged him on
the porch for interrogation.
: The black drew a scrap of note
paper from under his belt and passed
it over. sheldon scanned it hurriedly.
Its from Boucher" he explained,
1.-The fellow who took packard's place.
Packard was the one | told you about
who was killed by his boats crew. He
says that Port Adams crowd is out
fifty of them. in big canoes-and camp
ing on his beach. They've killed half
a dozen of his pigs already and seem
to be looking for trouble. And he's
afraid they may connect with the tif-
teen runa ways from Lunga.'
'In which CASE" she queried.
'In which case Billy Pape will be
compelled to send Boucher's successor.
It's Pape's station. you know. | wish
knew what to do. don't like to leave
you here alone"
'"Take me along. then"
He smiled and shook his head
Then you'd better take my men
along" she advised They're good
shots, and they're not afraid of any
thing-except Utami. and he's afraid
of ghosts"
The big bell was rung. and fifty black
boys carried the whalebOat down to
the water. The regular boats crew
manned her. and Matanare and three
other Tahtlans. beted with cartridges
and armed with rifles. sat in the stern
sheets. where Sheldon stood at the
steering oar.
my, | wish could go with yon,"
Joan said wistfully as the boat showed
Off.
I'm as good as a man." she urged.
"You really are needed here" he re-
piled. There's that Lunga crowd;
they might reach the coast right here
and. with both of us absent, rush the
plantation. Goodby. Wen get back
In the morning some time. It's only
twelve miles"
When Joan started to return to the
house she was compelled TO pass
among the boat carriers, and one OF
them stepped up to her. In the dark
ness she could not make him out.
What nameE' she asked sharply.
What name belong you?''
ME ArOa." he said
She remembered him as one OF the
two sick boys she had nursed in the
hospital. The other one had died.
me take IN plenty fella medicine
too much" Aroa was saying.
well, and you an right now" she
answered.
"Me want IN tobacco. plenty fella
tobacco: me want m calico. me want
IN porpoise teeth me want m one
fella belt"
She looked at him humorousy. px-
pecting To see n smile. or at least grin.
on his face, The rest of the boys had
crowded mp at his back in solid wall.
Some one Of them giggled, but the
remainder regarded her IN mOrOse ana
intent silence.
'Well?" she asked What for you
want plenty teha thingsT'
"Sle take m medicine" quoth Arca
"You pay ne
You 20 along quarters" she said.
starting 10 turn on her heel to enter
the gate.
"iou pay me-" said the boy.
"Aroa, you all the same one big fool.
! no pay you. Now you CO."
But the black was unmOved. She
felt hat he was regarding her almost
insolently as he repeated:
Il take IN medicine. You pay me.
You pay me now"
Then IL was that she lost her tenn
per and cuffed his ears so sOundly as
10 drive him back among his fellows.
But they did not break up. Another
boy stepped forward.
"Me Gogoomy," he said. "Bawo
brother belong me-"
Bawo. she remembered. was the
sick boy who had died.
go on" she commanded.
"Bawo take IN medicine, Bawo nm
ish. Bawo my brother. You pay me.
Father belong me one big fella chief
along Port Adams. You pay me-"
Joan laughed
"Gaeoomy. you lust the same a.