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

and without stopping to stamp his feet
into his boots he rushed out barefoot
after Boyd and Fraser. Together the
three men reached the dock In time to
help Cherry up the ladder.
What does this mean" Boyd asked
her breathlessly. "Will these fellows
work."
That's what they're here for" said
the girl. After her swarmed crowd
Of slant eyed. copper hued Aieuts.
Those In the kyaks astern cast of and
padded toward the beach.
I've got fifty men. the best on the
river. tried TO get more. but-there
aren't any more"
"Fingerless" Fraser slapped himself
resoundingly upon the thigh and ez.
plodeG profanely. Boyd seized the
girls hands in his and wrung them.
Cherry. you're treasurer The
memory of his desperate resolution Of
a moment before swept over him sud
denly and his voice trembled with a
great thankfulness.
Don't thank me- Cherry eI
claimed. 1t was more Constantine's
work than mine"
"But don't understand These are
MarSh's men"
To be sure. but was good to them
when they were hungry last winter.
and | prevailed upon them TO come.
They aren't very good fishermen
They're awful lazy and they won't
work half as hard as white men. but
It's the best could do" Sic laughed
gladly. more than repaid by the look in
her companions face. Now get me-
some lunch. I'm fairly starved"
Big George. when he had fully
grasped the situation. became the boss
fisherman on the instant. Before th"
Others had reached the cookhouse he
vas busted in laying out his crews and
distributing his gear. The impos ible
had happened; victory was in sight:
the fish were running. He cared 10
know no more.
That night the floors Of the fish dock
groaned beneath weight Of silver
sided salmon piled waist high 10 tall
man All through the cool. dim lit
hours the ranks Of Chinese butchers
hacked and slit and slashed with swift,
sure. .irel.ss strokes, while the great
building echoed bollowly 10 the clank
II machines and the Kissing stesss OF
the soldering furnaces.
II seemed 10 Boyd that he had never
lei, such elation as during the days
that followed He trod upon air; his
head was in the clouds. BE toked with
his men. inspiring them with his own
good humor and untiring energy. BE
was never idle save during the odd
hours that he snatched for sleep.
While the daily output was disap-
Fearing, Emerson drew consolation
from the prospect that his pack would
be large enough at least TO avert utter
ruin.
Up at the trusts headquarters Willis
Marsh was In fine fury. AS far as
possible his subordinates avoided him.
On the third day after Boyd's deliv-
erance Constantine sought him out In
company with several Of the native
fishermen. translating their demand 10
be paid for the fish they had caught.
Cant they walt until the end Of the
week." Emerson inquired.
NO! They got no money-they got
no grub. They say little baby Is hon
cry. and they like money now. So soon
they buy grub, they work some more
Very well. Here's an order on the
bookkeepcr."
Boyd tore leaf from his notebook
and wrote a few words on II, telling
the men to present It at the office. As
Constantine was about TO leave he
called TO him:
Wait. l want to talk with you"
The breed halted.
How long have YOU known Mr..
Marsh?"
ME know him long time"
DO you like him.
flicker ran over the fellows cop
perry face as he replied:
Yes. Him good man."
You used to work for him, did you
uot?'
Yes"
why did you quitr'
Constantine nesitated slightly before
answering. Me go work for Cherry.
why"
"She GOOD to my little broder. You
savvy l.ttle chil'ren-so big:'
YES, I've seen him. He's tine III
tie fellow BY the way, do you re
member that night about two weeks
ago when | was II Cherry's house
the night you and your sister went
outY
Il member"
Where did you go?''
Constantine shifted his walrus soled
boots. What for you ASK
Never mind. Where did you go
when you left tie houSeY'
"AIe go Indian village. What for
you ask"
Nothing Only If you ever have
any trouble with Mr.. Marsh ! may be
able to help you like you. and !
don't like him"
Tho brood rrIlnted uDintelligibly ana