The Washington herald., 1911-08-16
CHAPTER XIV.
The Arbftrameut.

1t was twilight when the little caval-
cade from Tallwoods arrived at the old
river town Of St. Genevieve. The peace
full inhabitants. most of them of the old
French strain. looked out in Amusement
at the taded horses, the hard-faced men.
By this time the original half dozen
riders and received re-enforcements at
different plantations, SO that a band Of
perhaps thirty armed men had assem-
bled. 1t had needed little more for the
average listener than a word telling ths
news.
Brief inquiry at st. Genevieve's in
formed them that the little steamer
Helen Bell had passed the town front
that day soon after noon. As she de-
pended almost as much upon poles and
lines for her upstream progress as upon
her steam, it was thought likely she
would tie up for the night at some
point not more than ten or twelve miles
up stream. Dunwody. therefore. deter
mined to ride across the river bed at its
shortest distance, in the attempt to in
tercept the steamer, relying upon chance
to secure small boats near at hand
should they be necessary. HIS men by
this time were glad enough to dismount
and take some sort Of refreshment be-
fore this last stage Of their journey.
1t was dark when again they mounted.
and the old river road, full OF wash
outs. stumps, and roots, made going
slow after the moon had sunk. They
had, however, no great distance to ride.
At a point ten miles UP the river they
came upon a small huddle Of fishermen's
huts. At one of these Dunwody knocked,
and the frightened tenant, at first al
most speechless at the sight Of so many
armed men, stammeringly informed him
that the steamer had passed late that
evening and was, in his belief. tied up
at little towhead island not more than
half mile upstream
What boats have you got here?" de-
manded Dunwody.
No boats at all, Monsieur" rejoined
the habitant. Maybe SO four, flve feesh
boat, that hall"
Bring them out" was the terse order.
They dismounted and. leaving their
horses tied in the wood at the roadside,
they went to the waters edge and pres
emily embarked, half dozen men In
each Of as many long river skiffs Of
the type used by the fishermen in carry
ing out their nets. Dunwody and Clay
ton were in the foremost boat and each
pulled an oar. The little fotilla crawled
upstream slowly. hugging the bank and
keeping to the shadows. At last they
were opposite q low, willow-covered
island, and within a narrow channel
where the water, confined between two
banks, flowed with swifter current. At
length, at Dunwody's quiet signal all
the boats paused. the crews holding fast
to the overhanging branches Of the
trees on the main shore OF the river.
She's out there. just across yonder
island" he whispered. 'I think can
see her stack now. She must be tied
up close We can slip in on this side,
make a landing. and get aboard her
before she can stop US, II we're careful.
Keep perfectly quiet. Follow US, boys
Come on. Clayton"
Silently they all cast loose and, each
boat taking fits own time. crossed the
narrow channel, heading upstream, so
as to make the landing as nearly oppo-
site the steamer as possible They
crawled out through the mud. and haul
ed up their boats to safe places along
shore. Then. each man looking TO his
own weapons. they came together under
the cover Of the willows. Dunwody
again addressed them.