The pioneer express., 1912-12-06
I wondered i ths,; 49,. .n..kine


Of Murphy. My telephone inquiry Of
cameron and subsequent questioning
OF the men about my place had
proved to me that both observations
would apply. No one seemed to know
very much Of this brawny. sandy
giant. In spite Of his two years resi-
dence In the neighborhood.
NOW the shores shadow was en-.
guifing US. and the next moment, with
q 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
wooden pier-and to this Jerry. knee
deep in the black water. turned the
boat and made 1t fast
The prospect which confronted US
as we walked shoreward over the
creaking planks was about as hos
pltable as the grim walls of prison.
The tree barrier rose stark and for
bidding a dozen yards away. Be.
tween 1t and the river was 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 strip of neglected sward
and squat, unpainted weather-beat-
en- cottage of single story, with
vine-screened verandah.
And In, what seemed to us the very
center Of the house front, there shone
tiny glowing point of red fire. We
had not come altogether in vain. By
all the odds of chance, it was a safe
conclusion that Murphy, in propria
persona, was behind that lighted end
of cigar. Then we saw the point
move. describing half circle, and ST.
multaneously voice rang out-a
deep, sonorous voice, but of churlish
intonation:
What do you want here?"
l suppose he expected me to come
to sudden halt, but was then only
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," said, "and drifted to your
beach. was in hopes We might Dor.
row enough to get us home"
l saw him now, dimly, in the shad-
owed recess. He was seated facing
me, a creature Of great bulk, with
huge head and ponderous shoulders.
Il don't keep gasolene," was his
gruff response.
Il thought" began, but his next
utterance drowned my words.
Il say don't keep it," he reiter-
ated, in louder tones. Isn't that
plain?"
ooh, quite. You have neither gaso-
lene nor good manners"
l saw him rise, a massive tower.
dwarfing his surroundings, and take
step forward to the edge of his
porch.
This is my house and my CASTLE"
he flung at me, savagely, "and won't
stand for trespassers. If you two
don't want to be flung of my proper
ty, it would be advisable for you to
make haste in going"
My laugh was not calculated to
salve his ill humor, yet think he
must have gathered from it that was
not to be terrorized by either his
size or his threats.
your names Murphy, think"
ventured, calmly, not moving an inch.
But he made no response.
Mine is Clyde" went on; Il am
one of the state game wardens."
"Im 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 shant tell you"
Maybe the Chinaman will be more
obliging," suggested, and turning to
Jerry, who had stood in silence, all
the while, a few steps behind me. I
said: Look around at the back, my
lad, and if you can find Mr.. Murphy's
man fetch him here"
But before had quite finished, the
big man in the shadow of the veran-
dab was storming:
Hell stop just Where ne Is. Ii he
dares to come another step nearer
this house, I'll throw the pair Of you
over the hedge, neck and crop. Do
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-
joinder. "Trot ahead, Jerry! His
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 law-defying,
Chinese poacher."
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
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