The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-27

and saw the blunt bow swing OF 10
the south as they we're plunged into
the hack shore shadows
But what he did not see was a big
muscular hand which had thrust itself
out Of the impenetrable gloom and
clutched the side Of the keel b 1t Co
incident with this there arose per
feet babel Of voices, high-pitched ana
shrill
~Sho'-I bet its him, sho'-ifs IN
Gle Bob's nevvy. Sho', you can hear
'em. Sho'. they're shOOtin' guns.
Shot"
Darlington cast a hurried glance In
the direction Of these sounds. There
between the boat and the shore the
dim outline Of a raft was taking shape.
II vas now canopied by a wealth Of
pale gray smoke that faded from be-
fore his eyes as the darkness lifted.
Turning, he saw Slosson and his men
clearly Surprise and CONSERVATION
vas depicted on each face
The light increased From the nat
stone hearth OF the raft ascended a
tail column OF fame which rendered
visible six pigmy figures. tow-headed
and wonderfully vocal, who were toll
ing ike mad at the huge sweeps. The
light showed more than this. II
showed a lady Of plump and pleasing
presence smoking a cOb-pipe while she
fed the FIRE from a tick stuffed with
straw It showed two bark shanties,
a line between them decorated with
the never-ending Cavendish wash. II
showed a rooster perched on the
ridge-pole OF one OF these shanties In
the very act Of growing Justify.
Hannibal, who had climbed TO the
roof of the cabin, shrieked for help,
and Betty added her voice TO his.
"All right. Nevvy," came the cheer
full reply. as Yaney threw himself
over the side Of the boat and crap
pied with SlOsson-
Uncle Bob, Uncle Bob" cried
Hannibal.
SlossOn uttered a cry Of terror. He
had a simple but sincere faith in the
supernatural, and even with the
Scratch Killers big hands gripping
his throat, he could not rid himself Of
the belief that this was the ghost OF
a murdered man
You'll take a dogs licking from
me, neighbOr," said Yaney grimly. Il
been saving it TO you,"
Meanwhile Mr.. Cavendish, whose
proud spirit never greatly inclined
him 10 the practice OF peace, had pre-
pared for battle Springing alOft he
knocked his heels together.
''WhOOp, I'm a man as can slide
down a thOrny locust and never get
scratched" he shouted. This was
equivalent to setting his triggers;
then he launched himself nimbly and
with enthusiasm into the thick of the
fight. Il was Mr.. Bunker's unfortu-
nate privilege TO sustain the onslaught
Of the Earl of Lambeth.
The light from the Cavendish
hearth continued to brighten the
scene, for Polly was recklessly sac
rificing her best straw tick Indeed
her behavior was in every way worthy
of the noble alliance she had formed.
Her cob-pipe was not suffered TO go
out and with Comics help she Kept
the six small Cavendishes from risk
in h. l-aaH hat 70
ward which they were powerfully
drawn Despite these activities she
found time TO call TO Betty and Han
nibal on the cabin roof.
Jump down here; that amt no Mt
tin place for yOu-an TO stop in with
them gentlemen fghtinl"
An instant later Betty and Hanni-
bal stood on the raft with the little
Cavendishes hocking about them. Mr..
Yancy's quest OF his nevvy had taken
an enduring hold on their magma
ton. For weeks it had constituted
their one vital topic. and the tight be-
came merely a satisfying background
for this interesting restoration.
'ShO', they'd got him. Sho'-he
want no bigger than Richard Shot"
oh" cried Betty, with q fearful
glance toward the keel boat. Cant
you stop them?"
What fo'?7 asked Polly. opening
her black eyes very wide. Bless 20
tender hearti-you don't need TO wor-
" none, We got them strange gentle
men licked like they was a passed. of
children, Connie, you-an mind that
firei"
She accurately judged the outcome
of the fight. The boat was little bet
ter than a shambles with the havoc
that had been wrought there when
Yancy and Darlington dropped over
its side to the raft Cavendish fol
lowed them, whooping his triumph as
he came.