The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-12-11

oDJect or their taking.
A catboat, with sail wrinkling in
the uncertain breeze, glided by us. al
most too near for comfort, and we
caught sentence, two sentences. in
fact, from the conversation OF the
occup. ats:
Nobody knows him." in clear, ring
ing masculine tones; and. "He's
handsome, II he is surly," In a wom-
ans voice.
wondered If they were speaking
OF Murphy. My telephone inquiry of
cameron and subsequent questioning
or 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-.
guihng us, and the next moment, with
a 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
pitable as the grim walls of q prison.
The tree barrier rose stark and for
bidding a dozen yards away. Be.
tween 1t and the river was 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 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
had not come altogether in vain. BY
all the odds Of chance, 1t was q safe
conclusion that Murphy, in propria
persona, was behind that lighted end
OF cigar. Then we saw the point
move, describing a half circle, and 81
multaneously g. voice rang out-a
deep. sOnOrOus voice. but Of churlish
intOnation:
What do you want here?"
suppose he expected me to come
to sudden halt, but l was then only
a few steps distant from the veran-
dah, and as l answered him, l GOV.
cred that distance.
Ny motor boat ran out Of gaso.
lene," I said, "and drifted to your
beach. was in hopes We might Dor.
row enough to get us home"
/ saw him now, dimly, in the shad-
owed recess. He was seated facing
me, creature of great bulk, with
huge head and ponderous shoulders.
II don't keep gasolene," was his
gruff response.
Il thought" began, but his next
utterance drowned my words.
Il say l 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, massive tower,
dwarfing his surroundings. and take
a step forward to the edge of his
porch.
This is my house and my castle"
he flung at me, savagely, "and 1 won't
stand for trespassers. If you two
don't want to be flung off my proper.
ty. it would be advisable for you to
make haste in going"
My laugh was not calculated to
salve his i'll humor, yet 1 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; "I am
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 shan't tell you"
Maybe the Chinaman will be more
obliging," I suggested. and turning to
Jerry, who had stood in silence, all
the while, few steps behind me,
said: Look around at the back, my
lad, and IL you can find Mr.. Murphy's
man fetch him here"
But before ! had quite finished, the
big man in the shadow Of the veran.
dah was storming:
Hell 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. Do
Won hoor mo