Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-03-11
meit Car:Ihgton spoke aloud.
"Murrell?n cried the voice Sh

"Murrell?" cried the voice sharply.
sent mel" said Darlington quick
~, SIS though completing an uadn'
ished sentence. The girl laughed nerT.
ously under her breath.
Row closterl" came the sullen
command, and the Kentuckian did as
he was hidden. Four men stood in
the bow of the keel boat, lantern
was raised aloft and by its light they
looked him over. There was MO
ments silence broken by Darlington,
who asked:
Which one of you is Slosson?"
And he sprang lightly aboard the keel
boat.
I'm slosson," answered the man
with the lantern. The previous night
Mr.. Slosson had been somewhat I'M
der the enivening and elevating in
fluence Of corn whisky, but now he
was his own cheerless self, and rath-
er jaded by the passing OF the hours
which he had sacrificed 10 all 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 I'LL.
ency.
Say, we're five able-bodied men
risking our necks to ohlige him! You
can get married damn sight easier
than this II you 90 about it right--l'Ve
done it lots OF times Not under
standing the significance Of Slosson's
aIlusioD TO his own matrimonial ca
reer, Darlington held his peace. The
! tavern-keeper swore again with I'M
impaired yigor. You'll find mighty
| few NEIL with more experience than
me-" be asserted, shaking his head.
But if you say the word"
| Pm all for getting shut OF this!"
answered Darlington promptly, with
q sweep OF his arm. 81 call these
| pretty close quarters!"
Still shaking his head and mutter-
! ing, the tavern.keeper snrang ashore
and mounted the bank, where his
slouching figure quickly lost Itself il
the night.
Darlington took up his tation on
the fat roof OF the cabin which filled
! The stern OF the boat. II was remen-
| bering that day in the sandy Rarouy
road-aEd during all the weeks and
! months that had interviewed, Murreil,
working in secret, had moved stead
! ily toward the fulliment OF his de-
sires, l,nquestionab he had been
back Of the attack on Norton, had, in
spired his subsequent murder, and ahe
mans sinister and mysterious power
had never been suspected. Caring
ION knew that the horse-thieves and
! slave stealers were supposed to main
| tain Z loosely knit association: he
wondered If Mnrrell were not the
moving spirit in some such organlza-
| ton.
EFF ia only pushed my quarrel with
| him." he thought bitterly.
! He heard Slosson's shutting step in
/ the distance, word or TWO when he
spoke srultiy to some one, aid mo
MELT later he saw Betty and the boy,
their forms darkly silhouetted against
The lighter SHY as they moved along
! the top OF the bank. Slosson, with
| oui any supertluous 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" be
said, Joining Darlington AZ the steer
! lns oar.
Well cast OF then" answered
! Darlington.
Thus far nothing had occurred te
mar his plans. II they could but quit
the bayou before the arrival or 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.
Il reckon you're river-man?"' OBJ
served Slosson.
"All my life"
The line had been cast OF, and the
crew with their setting poles were
forcing the boat away from the bank.
Al! was quietly done; except Tor an
, occasional order from Darlington no
word was spoken. and soon the un'
wieldy craft glided into the sluggish
current and gathered way. MIR. Slos-
T, son. who clearly regarded his relation
Z to the adventure as being OF an ofl'
cial character, continued to stand at
! Cnrrington's elbow.
What have We between here ana
the river" inquired the latter. II was
best, be felt, not to give Slosson an
onportunity to ask questions.
1T narrows considerably, Partner
bnt it's a straight course" said SIos-
son. BLACK in yonder, amt it,? ne
added, nodding ahead.
The shores drew rapidly together;
! r-,zro no lakp-likp