Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-09-05

The Keel Best
a few minutes later they hAd Dopn.
rated. George to hurry away IN search
of the horse. and CaEringttn 70 pne1
back along the shore until be gnlncd
point opposite the clearing He
Nhistied nhrilly three times. and AFTER
an interval Of waiting heard the
splash of oars and presently saw =
skin steai ont Of tbs gloom.
-Whoss thsref II was Bess VINO
asked the question.
-Carrinston. = he answered.
Lucky you amt met the other
manls she said - she swept her skin
alongside the bank.
Lucky for him. ron mean. III taxa
the oars" added Darlington, ~ h6
entered the skin.
Slowly the clearing lifted out Of the
darkness, then the heel boat became
distiRguishable: and iCarri1gton
checked the skin By . backward
stroke OF the oars.
..Hello!" he called.
There was no immediate answer "a
his hail, and he called again IS he
sent the skin forward.
what do You want7s asked surly
voice.
s .You want SIosscn!'' quickly
prompted the girl In q whisper.
7 want to see Slossonl,' said Car
rington glibiy 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 me!r said Darlington quick
~. as though completing an unfin-
ished sentence. The girl laughed nerv.
ously under her breath.
Row closter!" came the sullen
command, and the Kentuckian did al
he was hidden. Four men stood IN
the bow Of the keel boat, q 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 fs Slosson r
I'm Slosson," answered the man
with the lantern. The previous night
Mr.. Slosson had been somewhat un
der the enlivening and eleyating In
fuence 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. brother7s
he demanded.
Miss Malroy is tG be taken down
river," responded Darlington.
Slosson swore with SURPRISING 1u
ency.
"Say, we're I'VE able-bodied men
risking our necks to oblige himl You
can get married a damn sight easiel
than this II you go about 1t right-l've
done 1t lots Of times" Not under
standing the significance OF Slosson'a
allusion to his own matrimonial ca
reer, Darlington held his peace. The
tavern-keeper swore again with un
impaired yigor. 'Youn md mighty
few men with more experience thar
me- he asserted, shaking his head
But II 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! e
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 OF
the fat roof OF the cabin which filled
the stern Of the boat.
IF I'd only pushed my quarrel with
him!" he thought bitterly.
He heard Slosson's shutting step II
the distance. word or two when he
spoke grufiy 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 along
the top Of the bank. Slosson, with
out any superhuous gallantry, helped
his captives down the slope and
aboard the keel boat, where he locked
Lu6IA- 4u[lA0 NeAb4Ap AO0AHOA WAAAOA
fastened with hasp and wooden peg
You're boss now, pardner!" ht
said, joining Darlington at the steer
ing oar.
Wen cast on then" answered
Darlington.
Thus far nothing had occurred tc
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
"All my life"
The line had been cast on, ana 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 nc
word was spoken, and soon the I'M
wieldy craft glided into the sluggish
current and gathered way. Mr.. Slos
son, who clearly regarded his relation
to the adventure as being OF an ON
cial character, continued to stand n
Carrington's elbow.
fT1 RE ff1NTTnIyyEnl