The Detroit times., 1911-11-15
The Prodigal Judge
VAUGHAN KESTER
tcOpyrisht islL tn. B0SS.-M.rril Company

which fastened with a hasp and wood
en- peg.
You're boss now, pardner!" he
said, Joining Darlington at the steer
| ing oar.
wen cast OF them answered Car
rington.
Thus far nothing had occurred to
mar his plans III they could but quit
the bayou before the arrival OF the
man whose place he had taken, the
rest would be il not easy OF accom-
plishment, at least within the realm
of the possible.
II reckon you're river-man! OBJ
served Slosson.
All my life"
The line had been cast on and the
crew with their setting poles were
forcing the boat away from the bank.
All was quietly done; except for an
occasional order from Darlington no
word was spoken. and soon the UNI
wieldy craft glided into the sluggish
current and gathered way. Mr. Slos-
son. who clearly regarded his relation
To- the adventure as being of an OF
fetal character, continued 10 stand at
Carrington's elbow
What have we between here and
the 'river?" inquired the latter. IL was
best, he felt, not 10 give Slosson an
opportunity TO ask questions.
1T narrows considerably. pardner,
but it's a straight course" said Slos-
son. Black In yonder, amt it?" he
added, nodding ahead
The shores drew rapidly together;
they were leaving the lake.like ex-
panse behind. In the silence. above
the rustllng OF the trees, Darlington
heard the first fret OF the river
against It's bank. Slosson yawned
prodigiously.
reckon YOU Amt needing me-.
he said.
Better go up in the bow and get
some sleep" advised Darlington. and
Slosson, nothing loath, clambered
down from the roof OF the cabin and
stumbled forward
The ceaseless murmur OF the rush.
ing waters grew in the stiffness, as
the keel boat drew nearer the hurry.
ing yellow food, and the beat OF the
Kentuckians pulse quickened Would
he find the raft there? He glanced
back over the way they had come
The dark ranks OF the forest walled
on the clearing, but across the water
dim point OF light was visible. He
liked its position as somewhere near
the head OF the bayou. Apparently
II was a lantern, but as he looked a
rudy glow crept up against the sky
line.
From the bow. Bunker had been
observing this singular phenomenon.
Suddenly he bent and reused Slosson,
who had fallen asleep The tavern
Keeper sprang to his feet and Bunker
| pointed without speaking
Mebby you can tell me what that
! light back yonder means?" cried Slos.
son. addressing himself TO Caring.
ton: as he spoke he snatched up his
rife.
That's what I'm trying to make
out, answered Darlington.
He'll" cried Slosson. and tossed
his gun to his shoulder.
What seemed to be a breath OF
wind lifted stray lock OF Caring.
tons hair, but his pistol answered
Slosson In the same second. He fired
az the huddle OF men in the bow OF
the boat and one OF them pitched for
ward with his. arms outspread.
Keep back, you" he said and
dropped of the cabin roof.
His promptness had bred a mo.
mentary panic, then Slosson's bull
Ike voice began 10 roar commands:
but In that brief Instant of surprise
and shock Darlington had found and
Withdrawn the wooden peg that fas.
tened the cabin door. He had scarce.
ly done this when Slosson came
tramping aft supported by the three
men.
Calling to Betty and Hannibal 70
escape In the skiff which was tow,no
astern the Kentuckian rushed toward
the bow. At his back he heard tha
door creak on It's hinges as II was
pushed open by Betty and the ,bov
and again he called to them TO escane
by the skin. The fret of the current
had grown steadily and from beneath
the wide-fung branches OF the trees
which here met above his head. Car
rlngton caught sight OF the star-
specked arch or the heavens beyond
lhey were Issuing from the BAYOU.
lie felt the river snatch at the keel
boat, the buffeting Of some swift eddy
and saw the blunt bow swing off 70
the south as they were plunged into
the black shore shadows.
But what he did not see was big
muscular hand which had thrust II.
self out OF the impenetrable gloom
and clutched the side of the keel
boat. Coincident with this there arose
a perfect babel of voices, high.pltched
and shrill.
Continued.