The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1912-11-08

checked the skiff by backward
stroke OF the oars.
Hello" he called.
There was no immediate answer to
his hail. and he called again as he
sent the skitf forward.
What do you want?" asked a surly
voice
You want Slosson!" quickly
prompted the girl in whisper.
Il want to see Slosson!" said Car
rington glibly and with confidence.
Who be your
"Murrell sent you,' prompted the
girl again, in a hurried whisper.
"Murrell-" And in his astonish-
ment Darlington spoke aloud.
"Murrell?" cried the voice sharply.
sent mel" said Darlington quick
y, as though completing an unfin-
ished sentence. The girl laughed nerv-
ously under her breath.
Row closterl" came the sullen
command, and the Kentuckian did as
he was hidden. Four men stood In
the bow OF the keel boat, lantern
was raised aloft and by its light they
looked him over. There was mo-
ment's silence broken by Darlington
who asked:
Which one of you is Siosson?
I'm Slosson," answered the man
with the lantern. The previous night
Mr. Slosson had been somewhat I'M
der the enlivening and eleyating in
huence of corn whisky but now ne
was his own cherries self, and rath-
er faded by the passing OF the hours
which he had sacrificed to an INK
some responsibility. What word do
Won fetch from the captain, brotherY
he demanded.
Miss Malroy is to be taken down
river" responded Darlington.
Slosson swore with surprising flu
| ency
Say. we're five able-bodied men
risking our pecks to oblige him! You
can get married a damn sight easier
than this If you go about it right-lVe
done 1t lots OF times Not under
standing the significance OF Slossons
! allusion to his own matrimonial ca
reer, Darlington held his peace The
tavern-keeper swore again with IN
impaired vigor. You'll find mighty
few men with more experience than
me-" he asserted, shaking his head.
But If you say the word"
Pm all for getting shut OF this!
answered Darlington promptly, with
a sweep of his arm Il call these
pretty close quarters!"
Still shaking his head and mutter-
ing. the tavern-keeper sprang ashore
and mounted the bank. where his
slouching figure quickly lost itself in
the night.
Darlington took up his station on
the fat roof of the cabin which nlled
the stern of the boat He was remem'
herring that day in the sandy Barony
road-and during all the weeks and
months that had interviewed, Murrell,
working In secret, had moved stead
fly toward the fultilment OF his de-
sires! Internationally he had been
back of the attack on Norton, had In
spired his subsequent murder, and the
mans sinister and mysterious power
had never been suspected. Caring
ton knew that the horse-thieves and
slave stealers were supposed to main
tain a loosely knit association; be
wondered II Murrell we're not the
moving spirit In some such organiza
ton.
IF I'd only pushed my quarrel with
him!" he thought bitterly.
He heard Slosson's shutting, step IN
the distance, a word or two when ne
spoke gruffly to some one. and mo
ment later he saw Betty and the boy
their forms darkly silhouetted against
the lighter sky as they moved along
the top of the bank. Slosson, Win
out any superfiuous gallantry, helped
his captives down the slope ane
aboard the keel boat, where he locKee
them in the cabin, the door OF which
fastened with hasp and wooden peg
You're boss now, pardner! NJ
| said, joining Darlington at the steer
/ ing oar.
, wen cast on then" answered
! Darlington.
, Thus far nothing had occurred u
, mar his plans. II they could out qul
the bayou before the arrival OF tn'
man whose place he had taken I'M
rest would be, If not easy Oh accom-
plishment, at least within the realm
of the possible.
81 reckon you're a river-man?' oh
] served Slosson.
3 "All my life."
i The line had been cast on, and TN
3 crew with their setting poles wer'
r forcing the boat away from the bank
Q All was quietly done; except for al
4 occasional order from Darlington NJ
word was spoken, and soon the un
0 wieldy craft glided into the sluggisl
current and gathered way. MI. Sloi
con. who clearly regarded his relatiol
r to the adventure as being Of an ON
I cial character, continued to stand
Carrington's elbow.
Q ro BIZ coNTNUED1