The Springdale news., 1912-07-19

We II cast on then. answered Darlington.
 Thus far nothing had occurred to mar his plans. If they could but quit the bayou before the arrival of the man whose place he had taken the rest would be, if not easy of accom- l plishment. at least within the realm of the possible.
 T reckon you're a river-man?" ob- served Slosson.
 All my life"
 The line had been cast off, 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 tie un- wieldy craft glided Into the sluggish current and gathered way MT Sles- son, who clearly regarded his relation to the adventure as being of an otii eial character, continued to stand at Carrington's elbow.
 What have We between here and the riyer?" inquired the latter. It was best, he felt, not to give S1osson an opportunity to ask questions
 It narrows considerably, pardner, but it's straight course" said Slos- son. "Biack In wonder, atnt tt?" he added, nodding ahead
 The shores drew rapidly together; They were leaving the lake-like ex- panse behind. Ill the silence above the rusting of the trees, Darlington heard the first fret of the river against it's bank. Slosson yaWned prodigious- ly.
 q reckon you ain't needing me-" he said
 Better go up In the bow and get some sleep. advised Darlington. and Slosson, nothing loath, elambered down from the roof of the cabin and stumbled forward
 The eeaseIess murmur of the rush. ing waters grew iH the stiffness as the keel boat drew nearer the hurry ing yellow flood. and the beat Of the kentuckans pulse quicken. Would he find the raft there9 He glanced baek=oyer the way they had come. The dark ranks Of the forest walled off the clearing. but across the water linn point Of light was visible He fixed it's position as somewhere near the head of the bayou. Apparently it Was d lantern. but as he looked raddy glow erept up against the sky line.
 From the bow Bunker had been ob- serving this singular phenomenon. Suddenly he bent and reused slos- son. who had fallen asleep. The tav- ern-keeper sprang 10 his feet and Bunker pointed without speaking.
 aMehby you can tell ne what that light back wonder means2@ cried Sles- son. addressing himself to Caring ton. as he spoke he snatehed up his rifle.
 That's what Tn trying to make out. answered Darlington.
 Hell. cried slosson, and tossed his gun 10 his shoulder.
 What seemed to be breath Of wind lifted a stray lock Of Caring. tons hair, but his pistol answered Slosson in the same second He fired at the huddie of men in the bow ot 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 momen. tary panic. then Blossoms bull-like voice began to roar commands; but in that brief instant Of surprise and shock Darlington had found and with drawn the wooden peg that fastened the cabin door. He had scarcely done this when Slosson came tramping ait supported by the three men.
 Calling to Betty and Hannibal to es cape in the skiff which WAS towing astern the kentucktan rushed toward the bow At his back he heard the door creak on It's hinges as 1t was pushed open by Betty and the boy. and again he called to them to escape by the skiff The fret of the current had grown steadily and from beneath