Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-12-12
CHAPTER x.

A MESSAGE FROM BOUCHER.
~HELDON became aware that she
- was speaking.
~ II beg pardon" he said.
"Whats that you were say
ing"
you weren't listening to word.
I knew It," she chided. Il was saying
that the condition Of the Flibberty
Gibbet was disgraceful. and that to-
morrow. when you've told the skipper
and not hurt bis feelings | nm going
to take my men out and give her an
overhauling. Well scrub her bottom
too. Why. there's whiskers on her
copper four inches long. saw 1t
when she rolled. Don't forget. I'm
going cruising on the Flibberty some
day. even II | have to run away with
her."
While at their coffee on the veranda
Satan raised commOtion in the CON-
pound near the beach gate. and Shell
don finally rescued mau:ed and
frightened black and dragged him on
the porch for Interrogation.
The black drew scrap Of note
paper from under his'belt and passed
It over. Sheldon scanned 1t hurrtedly.
Its from Boucher" he explained.
"the fellow who took Packard's place.
Packard was the one told you about
who was killed by his boats crew. He
says that Port Adams crowd IL out
fifty of them. In big canoes-and camp
ing on his beach. They've killed half
a dozen Of his pigs already and seem
to be looking for trouble. And hes
afraid they may connect with the IT.
teen runaways from Lunga."
'In which case?" she Queried.
''In which case Billy Pape will be
compelled to send Boucher's successor.
It's Pnpe's station. you know. ! wish
l knew what to do. don't like to leave
you here Alone"
''Take me along. then"
He smiled and shook bis head.
'Then you'd better take my men
along" she advised. They're good
shots, and they're not afraid OF any
thine-except Utami. and he's afraid
Of ghosts
The big bell was rung. and fifty black
boys carried the whaleb0at down to
the water. The regular boats crew
manned her. and Matauare and three
other Tahltians. belted with cartridges
and armed with rifles. sat 10 the stern
sheets. where Sheldon stood at the
steering oar.
my. I wish I could 20 with you"
Joan said wistfully as the boat showed
Off.
''Tm as good IA man." she urged.
"You really are needed here" he re-
piled. There's that l.unga crowd:
they might reach the coast right here
and. with both Of us absent. rush the
plantation. Goodby. Wen get hack
in the morning some time. It's only
twelve miles"
When Joan started to return to the
house she was compelled to pass
among the boat carriers. and one OF
them stepped up to her. In the dark.
ness she could not make bin out.
what namey' she asked sharply.
"What name belong youy'
"Me Aroa." he said.
She remembered him as one Of tho
two sick boys she had nursed In the
hospital. The other one had died.
'Me take m plenty feIia medicine
too much" ArUa was saying.
'WeiI. and you all right now" she
answered.
me want IN tobacco. plenty feiIa
tobacco: me want IN calico. me want
m porpoise teeth: me want m one
fella belt"
She looked at him humorously. ex.
pecting to see smile. or ut least grin.
on his face. The rest Of the boys had
crowded up at his hack in solid wall.
Some one Of them giggled. but the
remainder regarded her In morOse ano
intent silence.
"Well?" she asked. what for you
want plenty fella things?"
me take M medicine" quoth Aroa.
"You pay me-"
"iou 60 along quarters" she said,
starting to turn on her heel to enter
the gate.
"You pay me-" said the boy.
"Aroa, you all the same one big fool
I no pay You. Now you co.
But the black was unmoved. She
felt that he was regarding her almost
insolently as he repeated:
II take m medicine. You pay me.