The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1911-01-20

sure by relight1nR his pipe. ne nedr0
the chink of gold pieces and when he
looked again the two piles of money
| were close 10 the edge of his side OF
the table.
That's for you, Captain Plum.
There's a just $1,000 in those W
piles" There was tense earnestness
now in the old mans face and voice. |
1--WE imposed ON YOU he continued,
| speaking as n who had suddenly
thrown off a disguise. IF it had been
n other man it would have been
the same. l want help. want an
honest man. want a man whom l
can trust. I will give you q thousand
dollars if you will take a package
back to your vessel with you and will
promise to deliver it as quickly as
you can"
"Ill do it," cried Captain Plum. He
Jumped to his feet and held out his
hand. But the old man slipped from
his chair and dayted cwiftly out into
the blackness Of the adjoining room.
AS he came back Captain Plum could
I hear his insane chuckliHg.
"Business 1890 business - business -"
he gurgled. "Eh. Captain Plum? ID
you ever take an oath?' He tossed
a book on the table. 1t was the Bible.
CaptaiH Plum understood. lie
reacheH Cor the book and held it TN
der hls left hand. His right he lifted
above his head, while a smile played
about his lips.
81 SUPPOSE you want to place mo
~
under cath to deliver that PACKAGE
he said.
The Old man nodded. His eyes
cleaned with a fevcrish glare. A sud
den hectic flush had gathered in his
death-!ike checks. He tTembled. His
voice rose barely above a whisper.
Repeat" he commanded. Il, Cap
tain Nathaniel Plum, Go so!emnly
swear before Cod
A thrilling inspiration shot into
Captain Plum's brain.
Hold" he cried. He lowered his
hand. With something that was al
most a snarl the old man spran back,
his hands clenched. II viii take this
oath upon one other consideration
continued Captain Plum. II came to
Beaver Island to see something Of the
life and something Of the people OF
St. James. If you, III turn, will swear
to show me as much as you a to
night ! will take the OATH
The old mar was beside the table
again in an instant.
Il will show it to you-all-all-'
he exclaimed excitedly. I will SHOW
it to you-yes, and swear to it upon
1 the body of Christi
Captain Plum lifted his hand agair
ard word by word repeated the oath
When it was done the other tool his
place.
, Your nance" asked Captain Plum
A change scarcely perceptib!o swep
owe the old mans face.
"Obadiah Price"
= But you are a Mormon. YOU hav'
the Bible thore?"
Again the old man disappeared int
: the adjoining room. When he re
turned he placed two books side b.
e, side and stood them on edge SO tina
- he might clasp both between his bon.
= fingers. One was the Bible, the othe
. tho Book of the Mormons. In
, cracked, excited voice he repeated III
strenuous oath improyised by Ca!
Il tain Plum.
!, Now said Captain Plum. distrit
uting the gold pieces among his poch
cts, I'll take that package"
This time the old man was gone 70
- several minutes. When he returne,
he placed a small package Tight,
bound and sealed into his companion
hand.
More precious than o Il life. NOR
= priceless than gold" he whispere'
1ensely, yet worthless to all but tn
- one to whom it is to be delivered"
There were no marks on the pacl
age.
"And who is that?' asked Capital
Plum.
The old man came so close that HI
V breath fell hot upon the young man
cheek. He lifted a hand as thong
~ to ward sound from the very wall
- that closed them in.
" "Franklin Pierce. president Of tn
" United States of America"
o CHAPTER II.