Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-08-21
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Kee, Boat.

Of the horse, and Darlington to pass
back along the shore until he gained
a point opposite the clearing. He
whistled shrilly three times. and after
/ an interval OF waiting heard the
splash of oars and presently saw a
skin steal out OF the gloom.
Who's there?" 1t was Bess who
asked the question.
Darlington" he answered
! Lucky you amt met the other
mani" she said as she swept her skin
I alongside the bank
Lucky for him, you mean. I'll take
the oars" added Carilrgton, as he
entered the skiG.
Slowly the clearing lifted out OF the
darkness, then the keel boat became
| distinguishabie; and Darlington
checked the skiG by a backward
stroke OF the oars.
"Helloi" he called.
There was no immediate answer 10
his hail, and he called again as he
sent the skin forward.
What do you want?" asked surly
voice.
You want Slossonl" quickly
prompted the girl in whisper.
Il want to see Slosson!" said Car
rington gIibly and with confidence.
Who be you?"
"Murrell sent ycu." 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
~, as though completing an untin-
ished sentence. The girl laughed nerv-
ously under her breath.
Row closter!' came the sullen
command, and the Kentuckian did as
he was hidden. Four men stood in
the bow of the keel boat, a 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 en.sening and elevating in
fiuence OF corn whisky, but now he
was his own cherries SELF, and rath.
er jaded by the passing of the hours
which he had sacrificed to an irk'
some responsibility. What word dc
you fetch from the captain, brother?'
he demanded.
Miss Malroy IS 10 be taken down
(tnrp{pufnn
Slosson swore with surprising fiu
ency.
Say, we're five able-bodied men
! risking our necks to oblige him! You
| can get married a damn sight easier
! than this if you go about 1t right I've
| done it lots OF times" Not under
! standing the significance of Slosson &
allusion to his own matrimonial ca
reer. Darlington held his peace. The
| tavern-keeper swore again with un.
/ impaired vigor. You'll find mighty
| few men with more experience than
me-" be asserted. shaking his head
But If you say the word"
/ I'm all for getting shut of this!"
answered Darlington promptly. with
/ 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 filled
: the stern of the boat.
If I'd only pushed my quarrel with
| hint" he thought bitterly.
He heard Slosson's shutting step in
| the distance. a word or two when he
spoke grufiiy to some one. and a me,
ment later he saw Betty and the boy
their forms darkiy silhouetted against
the lighter sky as they moved along
| the top of the bank. Slosson, with
| out any superfluous gallantry, helped
! his captives down the slope and
aboard the keel boat, where he locked
| them in the cabin. the door of which
! fastened with hasp and wooden peg,
You're boss now. pardner!" ne
said. Joining Darlington at the steer
ing oar.
Wen cast on then" answered
! Darlington.
Thus far nothing had occurred to
! mar his plans. II they could but quit
the bayou before the arrival OF the
man whose place he had taken the
rest would be. II not easy OF accom-.
plishment, at least within the realm
of the possible
Il reckon you're river-man?" OBJ.
| served Slosson.
"AlI my life
The line had been cast of, 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 the un-
wieldy craft eiided into the sluggish
| current and gathered way. MIR. Slos.
son. who clearly regarded his relation
to the adventure as being Of an OH.
cial character. continued to stand
I Csrrington's elbow
CTO RE CONTINUED
Nat tin Real Thino