The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-12-19

l tRe men about my place nad
'roved to me that both observations
would apply. No one seemed to know
cry much Of this brawny, sandy
liant, in spite of his two years resi-
lence in the neighborhood.
Now the shores shadow vas en-.
us, and the next moment, with
! gentle swish of waters, we felt the
boats bottom crate on the pebbly
beach. There was a landing a short
distance further up-a spindling
pier-and to this Jerry, knee
deep in the black water, turned the
boat and made it fast.
The prospect which confronted us
we walked shoreward over the
creakfng planks was about as hos
pitable as the grim walls of a prison.
The tree barrier rose stark and for
bidding a dozen yards away. Be-
tween it and the river "a a COM
bination of pebbles, sand, high grass,
and ragged overgrown lawn, family
visible in the starlight. On nearer
approach, however, we found an open
ing in the curtain Of trees, a veritable
valley of shadow, through which we
passed to a strip Of neglected sward
and a squat, implanted weather-beat-
en- cottage Of a single story, with
vine-screened verandah.
And in what seemed to us the very
center of the house front, there shone
a tiny glowing point of red fire. We
hod not oopoo a11opo+bor IN uoiu Rv
all the odds of chance, it was. a safe
conclusion that Murphy, in propria
persona, was behind that lighted end
of a cigar. Then we saw the point
move, describing a half circle, and ST.
multaneously a voice rang out-a
deep, sonorous voice, but Of churlish
information:
What do you want here?"
I suppose he expected me to come
to a sudden halt, but l was then only
a few steps distant from the veran-
dab, and as l answered him, l COW
cred that distance.
my motor boat ran out Of gaso-
lene," l said, land drifted to your
beach. l was in hopes we might bor-
row enough to get us home"
Isaw him now, dimly, In the shad-
owed recess. He was seated facing
me, a creature Of great bulk. with
huge head and p%onderous shoulders.
II don't keep gasolene," was his
gruff response.
II thought" I began, but his next
u~tterance drowned my words.
II say 1 don't keep It," he reiter'
ated. In louder tones. isn't that
plain?"
"Oh, quite. You have neither gaso
lene nor good manners"
l saw him rise, a massive tower
dwarfing his surroundings, and take
a step forward to the edge of hit
porch.
"This is my house and my CASTLE
he flung at me, savagely, "and l won
stand for trespassers. If you two
don't want to be flung of my proper
ty, it would be advisable for you tt
make haste IN going"
MY laugh was not calculated tt
salve his i'll humor, yet l think hi
must have gathered from 1t that l wal
not to be terrorized by either hi
size or his threats.
"Your names Murphy, I think"
ventured, calmly, not moving an inch
But he made no response.
mine is Clyde" I went on; Il an
one of the state game wardens."
I'm not interested in who you
are" he growled.
"But I'm interested in learning
what your Chinaman was shooting
this morning, over on the Cameron
place."
Then find out" was his courteous
retort. I'm sure l shan't tell you."
Maybe the Chinaman will be more
oblieing," / suggested, and turning te
Jerry. who. had stood in silence, al
the while, a few steps behind me.
said: Look around at the back. my
lad. and If you can find Mr.. Murphy
man fetch him here"
But before 1 had quite finished, the
biz man in the shadow Of the veran
dab was storming:
He'll stop Just where he is. II he
dares to come another step nearer
this house. I'll throw the pair Of you
over the hedge. neck and crop. Dc
you hear me?"
"And If you dare to interfere with
an officer or his deputy in the dis
charge Of his duty, the authorities
will settle with you," was my calm re
1oinder. 'Trot ahead, Jerry! Hill
bark's worse than his bite"
Jerry, quick to obey, disappeared
on the instant around the corner OF
the bungalow, and Murphy, after q
pretended dash forward, halted on
the lower porch step.
See here!" he demanded, cum
brously. whats all this, anyhow!
You come here after gasolene, o.
tensibly, and then declare you're
game wardens after a law-defying'
| Chinese poacher."
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
A(SSRM6E&N 90