Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-01-10

avalanche, leaving behind them the
battling officers and the hungry pack
clamoring for the prisoner.
drop that freight and get aboard
the best way you CAM Boyd yelled at
the fishermen, and. with bound. was
out into the open. crying to Captain
Peasley on the bridge:
"Here they come! Cast of. for
Gods sake!
The dozen men who had been sling
ing freight on the dock hastened up
the gangplank or climbed the tenders.
while the signalman clung to the lift
ing tackle and. at the piping cry Of his
whistle. was swung aloft out Of the
very arms Of the rioters.
Above, on the flying bridge, Captain
Peasley was believing orders. At last
the Bedford Castle was under way.
|
Even after they were miles down
the sound Boyd remained at his post.
sweeping the waters astern in an anx-
ious search for some swift harbor
craft, the appearance Of which would
signal that his escape had been dis
covered.
IL won't feel safe until we are past
Port Townsend" he confessed to Cher
ry. who maintained q position at his
side. 1.-The police can wire on from
Seattle to stop us and take me of at
that point"
IF they find out their mistake"
"They must have found 1t out long
ago. That's why I've got Peasley
forcing this old tub. She's doing 10
knots, and that's a breakneck speed
for her. Once we're through the
straits I'll be satisfied"
what will happen to Fraser?' she
Queried
Nothing serious, am sure. You
see, they wanted me and nobody else.
Once they find they have the wrong
man I rather believe they will free
him in disgust"
| A moment later he went on: Just
the same, 1t makes me feel depressed
and guilty to leave him. II wouldn't
desert a comrade for anything If the
choice lay with me-"
"You did quite right" Cherry warm
ly assured him.
"You see, l am not working for my
self. | am doing this for another"
It was the girls turn to sigh softly.
while the eyes she turned toward the
west were strangely sad and dreamy.
1.-TWO hours more" he told her as
the ships bell sounded. then ] can
eat and sleep-and sing"
Captain Peasley was pacing the
bridge when later they breasted the
glare Of Port Townsend and saw In
the distance the flashing searchlights
of the forts that guard the straits
| They saw him stop suddenly and
raise his night glasses. Boyd laid his
hand Oh Chcrry's arm. Presently the
captain crossed to them and said:
"Yonder seems to he a launch max
ing out. See! | wonder what's up.
BY Jovel They're signaling"
The two boats were drawing together
rapidly, and soon those on the bridge
heard the faint but increasing patter
Of a gasoline exhaust. Carrying the
same speed as the Bedford Castle. the
launch shortly came within haillng
distance. The cyclopean eye Of the
ships searchlight blazed up. and the
next instant out from the gloom
leaped little craft. on the deck OF
which a man stood waving lantern
She held steadfastly to her course. and
voice foated up to them:
"Ahoy! What ship?'
"The Bedford Castle, cannery tender.
for Bristol bay" Peasley shouted
| back.
The man on the launch relinquished
his lantern and. using both palms for
a funnel, cried more clearly now:
"Heave to! We want to come
aboard"
With an exclamation OF impatlence,
the commanding officer stepped TO the
| telegraph. but Emerson forestalled
| him.
"Wait. They're after me, captain: It's
the Port Townsend police, ard il you
let them aboard they'll take me off,"
Turning, the skipper beloved:
"Who are your
"police.
"What did tell you?" cried Emer-
son.
"What do you wantT
zone Of your passeBgers-Emerson
Heaye to. You're passing u.s."
"That's bloody hard luck, Mr.. Emer.
son; can't help myself" the captain
declared. But again Boyd blocked him
rs he started for the telegraph.
81 won't stand It, SIR It's a con-
spiracy to ruin me-"
"But, my dear young man
Don't touch that instrument"
| From the launch came cries Of grow
ing vehemence, and startled murmur
of voices rose from somewhere In the
darkness Of the deck beneath.
"Stand aside" Peasley ordered gruff-
ly. But the other held his ground,
saying quietly:
T warn you. am desperate"
"Shall | stop her, sir" the quarter
master asked from the shadows Of the
wheelhouse.
"No!' Emerson commanded sharp
ly, and In the glow from the binnacle
light they saw he had drawn his re-
volver, while on the instant up from
the void beneath heaved the massive
figure of Big George Bait, a behemoth
more colossal and threatening thar
ever in the dim light. He wrenched
open the door and with one sweep oi
his hairy paw flung the helmsmar
from his post, painting.
Keep her going, cap, or I'll rur
them DOWN.