The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-02-19

him. The mans pride was sorely
hurt, for he plumed himself on being
a favorite among the women. his con-
slant boast when he was drunk be-
ing:
I'm a salt river roarer; I'm chuck
full Of fight, and 1 love the wimin!"
Mike was therefore in an ugly mood
when he learned of the cooks deser-
ton, and for two days no one except
Carpenter DARED speak to him. At
length. howers&, better fortune than
he could have hoped for came Fink's
way in the person of a girl Of about
20, known by no other name than
Peggy. who had been captured by the
Indians when she was a child Just old
enough to remember the murder Of
her parents.
Though her, immediate relatives
were all dead. one had recently been
restored to her countrymen at TT. Pitt
as the result Of an exchange of pris-
oners between the Indians and SOL
diers. Peggy. in spite Of her life
among the Indians, or rather, perhaps
because of it. was unwilling to become
a camp women. which she could hard.
~ have escaped had she remained in
Fl. Pitt; so hearing hat a cook was
wanted on a large keelboat on the riv-
er. she asked for the job. Fink, of
SOoAoSb AOiS iliilScIl IllHIllN lldIlGIc0,
believing that 1t was his personal pres
tige that had attracted the young girl.
She was promptly given the job, and
in spite Of her reserve. which Mike
doubtless attributed to her Indian
training and which he believed would
soon vanish, he at once returned to
his usual high spirits.
There wasn'tsm much time to get &C.
quainted with the new cook during
the next three days. for the entire
crew was busy getting ready for a
record-breaking trip down the river,
as all were anxious to beat the new
steamer. 1t was a bitter personal
matter with Fink, for not only his
wife. but one Of his best bargemen
had deserted to the new craft.
While the keelboat was floating
with the current down the river, Fink
and carpenter quarreled bitterly
about the girl who would have moth
ing to do with either Of them. The
restrained the men from gun play, or
from even using their fists to settle
the dispute. for Fink did not dare
risk gripping his crew. At length
both vessels reached Sandusky, the
steamer being slightly in advance.
For some reason. possibly on &C.
count Of fog OIL perhaps. to make
trihing repairs or to shift cargoes,
both boats were compelled to tie up
there for a night and a day: Peggy
had been in constant fear of Fink and
Carpenter. ever since leaving Pitts
burgh. She, therefore, went ashore
at Sandusky, doubtless to escape the
unwelcome attentions Of her admirers
for an hour or two. While in the lit
tie log settlement she met Talbot. and
was probably seen talking to him by
Fink. At any rate. the girl returned
to the keelboat and Talbot to the
steamer. This was late in the after
noon. just before dusk.
Fink. usually bo%isterously cheerful,
was silent and sullen during the en-
for him. He did not. however, ap.
proach the girl or attempt to speak
to her. but sat in a orne brooding
morosely. He smiled only once, and
that was late in the evening, when
Carpenter approached Peggy with UNI
due familiarity and received a sting
Ing blow on the ear.
me next morning. however. while
the girl was preparing breakfast,
bot on the shore: then, catching her
by the wrists. he pushed her roughly
against the walls Of the little kitchen
in the hold Of the boat. Peggy
screamed. attracting the attention Of
the crew. None Of them, however,
was hardy enough to interfere, ex-
cept Carpenter. who attempted, dis
passionately enough. to persuade Fink
to leave the girl alone.
Mike released his hold Of Peggy.
but turned furlously upon Carpenter,
cursfng him as a meddling busybody.
At terrific fight followed. Fortunately
neither Of the men had strapped on
his belt. having just tumbled out Of
bed. and they were, therefore, armed
with neither knife or gun. and the
crew were careful. to keep all weapons
out of their reach. Both men fought
like demons with teeth and fists, but
with little advantage to either. At
length they became 30 nearly exhaust
ed that other members OF the crew
were able to separate them. :.
!. Later in h day Talbot met both
Fink and Carpenter on shore, and
having heard Of the fight, endeavored
to reconcile the former friends. He
was apparently successful, for Peggy
wal present. and in terror lest the
men would kill each other on her &C.
count promised that when the boats
returned to Fl. Pitt she would marry
n OF h three ACKNOWLEDGMENT one
should win her love.
The girl shook hands with each of
them in turn over the bargain, but
Fink continued sullen. Finally as a
mark OF mutual forgiveness and rood
will Fink suggested that he and car.
pentAr perform thar fayorttA feat Of