Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1912-08-15
CHAPTER xviii.
The Keel Boat.

an . vi "ditihb hS"'" Wv
splash Of oars and presently saw a
skiff steal out Of the gloom
Who's there?" II was Bess who
asked the question.
Darlington" he answered.
Lucky you amt met the other
man." she said as she swept her KIN
alongside the bank.
Lucky for him, you mean. III take
the oars" added Darlington. as he
entered the skin.
Slowly the clearing lifted out OF the
darkness, then the keel boat became
distinguishable: and Darlington
checked the skin by a backward
stroke Of the oars.
"Hcllo!" he called.
There was no immediate answer to
his hail, and he called again rs he
sent he skin forward.
What do you want?' ASKED a surly
voice.
You want slosson!" quickly
prompted the girl In a 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 met" said Darlington quick.
~. as though completing an uniin-
ished sentence. The girl laughed nerv-
ousi! 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 It's light they
looked him over. There was a mo-
ment's silence broken by Darlington,
who asked:
Which one OF you is Slosson?"
I'm Slosson." answered the man
with the lantern. The previous night
Mr.. Slosson had been somewhat I'M
der the %enlivening and e%levating in.
fiuence OF corn whisky. but now he
was his own cheerless self. and rath-
er faded by the passing OF the hours
which he had sacrificed to an irk-
some responsibility. What word do
you fetch from the captain, brOther?"
he demanded.
Miss Malroy Is to be taken down
river" responded Darlington.
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
,b,n thi, 40 IN, ., aIpnt a. riUhf--Iva
don 1t lots Of times" Not under
standing the significance of Slosson's
allusion to his own matrimonial ca
reer. Darlington held his peace. The
tavern-keeper wore again with un-
impaired vigor. you'll find mighty
few men with more experience than
me-" he asserted. shaking his head
But If you say the word"
I'm 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 10
the night.
Darlington took up his station or
the fiat roof OF the cabin which filled
the stern of the boat.
IF I'd only pushed my quarrel witt
him!" he thought bitterly.
lie heard S%losson's shutting step In
the distance. a word or two when he
spoke grufiiy to some one. and a mo
ment later he saw Betty and the boy
their forms darkly ~silhouetted against
the lighter sky as they moved alonl
the top OF the bank. S!osson, with
out any superfiuous %gallantry, helped
his captives down the slope ant
, aboard the keel boat, where he Locked
1 them in the cabin. the doc OF which
, fastened with a hasp and wooden peg
= You're boss now. pardner!" M
!, said. joining Darlington at the steer
ing oar.
Wen cast on then" answered
I Darlington.
I Thus far nothing had occurred Il
mar his plans. II they could but OUT
: the bayou before the arrival OF tn
man whose place he had taken TIT
rest would be, II not easy OF accom-
plishment. at least within the reaiu
: OF the possible.
8 II reckon you're a river-man7" oh
served Slosson.
"All my life"
The line had been cast on. and tn
o crew with their setting poles wer,
forcing the boat away from the bank
All was quietly done; except for a.
occasional order from Darlington n,
y word was spoken. and O o the NJ
wieldy craft glided into the sluggisI