The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1911-01-27
CHAPTER u.-Contjnued.

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CHAPTER II.-contInued.
For s-.eral minutes Captain Plum
stood as if the sudden apparition had
petrified him. He listened long after
the sound of %retreating footsteps had
died away. There remained behind
a faint sweet odor OF lilac which
stirred his soul and set his blood
fighting. 1t was a beautiful face that
he had seen. He was sure Of that and
yet he could have given no good YER
bal proof of it. Only the eyes and
the odor of lilac remained with him
and after a little the lilac drifted
away. Then he went back to the log
and sat down. He smiled as he
thought Of the joke that he had un-
Willingly played on Obadiah. From
his knowledge Of the Beaver Island
MOrmOns he was satisfied that the
old MAI who displayed gold in such
reckless profusion was anything but
q bachelor. In all probabilit" this
was one of his wives and the cabin
behind him, he concluded. was for
some reason isolated from the harem.
"Evidently that little saintess is not
a f1irt." he concluded, "or she would
have given me time to speak to her"
The continued absence of Obadiah
Price began to fill Captain Plum with
Impotence. After an hours wait he
reentered the cabin and made his way
~ the little room. where the candle
was still burning dimly. TO his as
constituent he beheld the old man
citing beside the table. His hin face
was propped between his hands and
his eyes were closed as if he was
asleep. They shot open instantly on
Captain Plum's appearance.
I've been waiting for you, Nat" he
cried. Strengthening himself with
spring-like quickness. waiting for
you a long time. Natl" He rubbed
his hands and chuckled at his own
familiarity. Il saw o out there en-
joying yourself. What did you think
of her, Nat?" He winked with such
audacious glee that, despite his own
establishment, Captain Plum burst
into a laugh. Obadiah Price held up
a warning hand. Tut. tut, not SO
loud!" he admonished. His face was
a map of wrinkles. His little black
eyes shone with silent laughter.
There was no doubt but that he was
immensely pleased over something.
Tell me. Nativity did you come to
st. James,"
He leaned forward owe the table.
his odd white head almost resting on
IT. and twiddled his thumbs with Won
dcrful rapidity. "Eh, Nat?" he urged.
why did you Gomez"
because it was too hot and unin-
tcresting lying out there in a calm.
dad" replied the master Of the ~
phoon. We've been roasting for Sc
hours without a breath to fill our sails.
] came over to see what you people
are like. Any harm done?"
Not a bit, not a bit-yet," chuckled
the old man. And what's your bust.
ness, Nat?"
"Sailing-mostly."
"Ho. no, no! of course. | might
have known it! simultaneously.
Why, certainly you sail! And why
do you carry a pistol on n side of
you and a knife on the other. Nat?"
"Troublous times, Dad. Some of
the iisherfolk along the Northern End
aren't very scrupulous. They took a
cargo Of canned stuffs from me a
year back"
And what use do you make of the
~four-pounder that's wrapped up in
tarraulin under your deck. Nat? And
what in the world are you going to do
with five barrels of gunpowder?"
How in blazes-" began Captain
Plum.
20, to be sure, to be sure-they're
for the fisher-folk." interrupted Oba'
diah Price. BLOW 'em up, Ell. Nat:
And you seem to be a young man OF
education. Nat. How did you happen
to make a mistake in your count
Haven't you IL mel aboard your slooT
instead of eight. Nat? Aren't there
- instead of eight? Eth, Nat?"
1.-THE devil take you!" cried Captain
Plum, leaping suddenly to his feet,
his face flaming red. YES. l have
got IL men and I've got a gun in
tarpaulin and I've got five barrels OF
gunpowder! But how in the name OF
Kingcc2-ccme did you find It out?"
Obadiah Price came around the end
Of the table and stood SO close tt
Oop>.iu p0um tho& a rnrcnu INN foo>