The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-27


CT Jaded BY the passing OF the hours
which he had sacrificed to an irk
some responsibility. What word dc
you fetch from the captain, brOthe-g-
he demanded.
Miss Malroy is TO be taken down
river" responded Darlington.
Slosson swore with surprising nu.
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 it right-l've
done il lots Of tines Not under.
standing the significance of SlossOn's
allusion 10 his own matrimonial ca
Teer, Darlington held his peace. The
tavern-keeper swOre again with IN
impaired vigOr. You'll ind 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 thisI-
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 5tation on
the fat roof OF the cabin which filled
the stern Of the boat. H was remem-
bering that day in the sandy Barony
rOad-and during all the weeks and
months that had interviewed, Murrell,
working in secret. had moved stead
lily toward the fulfilment of his de
sires, PROFESSIONALLY 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: he
wondered if Murren were not the
moving spirit in some such organiza-
ton.
IF I'd only pushed ny quarrel with
himi" he thought bitterly.
He heard SCISSORS shutting step in
the distance, a word or two when he
spoke grufiy TO some one, and a mo-
ment later he saw Betty and the boy,
their forms darby silhouetted against
the lighter sky as they moved along
the top Of the bank Slosson. with
out any superfuous 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 a hasp and wooden peg.
You're boss now. pardner!" be
said, joining Darlington at the steer
ing oar.
Wen cast OF then" answered
Darlington.
Thus far nothing had occurred to
mar his plans. If they could but quit
the bayou before the arrival OF the
man whose place he had taken the
rest would be. if not easy of accom-
plishment, at least within the realm
Of the possible.
4 reckon you're a river-man?" OBJ
served SlossOn.
"An my life"
The line had been cast on, and the
crew with their setting poles we're
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 IN
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 OFF,
cial character. continued TO stand at
| Carrington's elbow.
What have We between here and
the river?" inquired the latter. It was
best, he felt, not TO give Slosson an
/ opportunity TO ask questions
1t narrows considerably, pardner,
I but it's a straight course" said Slos-
son. BLACK in yonder, amt it," he
1 added, nodding ahead.
The shores drew rapidly together;
They were leaving the lake-like ex-
panse behind. In the silence. above
l the rustling of the trees, Darlington
heard the first fret of the river against
its bank. Slosson yawned prOdigious-
~.
4 reckon you amt needing meY'
he said.
Better go up in the bow and get
some Sleep advised Darlington, and
SlossOn, nothing loath, clambered
/ down from the roof Of the cabin and
/ stumbled forward.
The ceaseless murmur of the rush
l ing waters grew in the stiffness as
the keel boat drew nearer the hurry
ing yellow flood, and the beat Of the
Kentucklan's pulse quickened. Would
he find the raft there? He glanced
back over the way they had come.
The dark ranks of the forest walled
of the clearing, but across the water
a dim point Of light was visible. He
/ fixed its position as somewhere near
the head of the bayou. Apparently it
was a lantern, but as he looked a
rudy glow crept up against the sky
line.
From the bow Bunker had been OBJ
serving this singular phenomenon.
Suddenly he bent and reused Slos-
son. who had fallen asleep. The tav-
ern-keeper sprang to his feet and
Bunker pointed without speaking.
"Mebby you can tell me what that
light back yonder means?" cried Slos-
son, addressing himself TO Caring
ton; as he spoke he snatched up his
rife.
That's what I'm trying to make
out" answered Darlington
~Hen!" cried Slosson, and tossed
his gun to his shoulder.
What seemed To be a breath OF
wind lifted a stray lock of Caring
TONS hair, but his pistol answered
SIosson in the same second He fired
at the huddle of men IN the bow OF
the boat ane one of them pitched for
ward with his arms outspread-
Keep back, youl" he said, and
dropped OF the cabin roof.
His promptness had bred a momen
tary panic. then Slosson's buli-like
voice began to roar commands; but in
that brief instant OF surprise and
shock Darlington had found and with
drawn the wooden peg that fastened
the cabin door. He had scarcely done
this when Slosson came tramping ar
supported by the three men.
Calling to Betty and Hannibal to es
cape in the skin which was towing
astern the Kentuckian rushed toward
! IT. fonI~ ha hoard fnr