The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1912-09-28

the oars" added Darlington. az he
entered the skin.
Slowly the clearing lifted out Of the
darkness, then the keel boat became
distinguishable; and Darlington
checked the skin by backward
stroke OF the oars.
"Hellol" he called.
There was no immediate answer to
his hail, and he called again as he
sent the skin forward.
What do you want?' asked suriy
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 q hurried whisper.
"Murrell-" And in his astonish-
ment Darlington spoke aloud.
: "Nurrell?" cried the voice sharply.
sent mel" said Darlington quick
ly, as though completing an unfin-
ished sentence. The girl laughed nerv-
ously under her breath.
Row cioster!" came the suilen
command, and the Kentuckian did az
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 a mo-
ments 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 un.
der the enlivening and elevating in
fiuence 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 do
you fetch from the captain. brother?"
he demanded.
Miss Malroy is to be taken down
river" responded Darlington.
Slosson swore with SURPRISING nu-
ency.
+, Say, we're I'VE able-bodied men
risking our necks to oblige him! You
| can get married a damn sight easier
than this If you go about 1t right-l've
done 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 swore again with un.
impaired vigor. You'll ind mighty
few men with more experience than
me-" he asserted. shaking his head
But il 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!"
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
i the fiat roof of the cabin which nllet
the stern OF the boat He was remem
bering that day In the sandy Baroay
road-and during all the weeks and
months that had interviewed, Murreil
working IN secret, had moved stead
lily toward the fulfilment OF his de
sires! Unquestionably he had beeI
back of the attack on Norton, had IN
spired his subsequent murder, and th'
mans sinister and mysterious powe
, had never been suspected. Caring
| he
!. slave stealers were supposed to main
tain a loosely knit association: h'
. wondered II Murrell were not thu
! moving spirit in some such organiza
| ton.
If I'd only pushed my quarrel will
him!" he thought bitterly.
j He heard Slosson's stunning step IL
the distance, a word or two when b.
spoke grufiy to some one, and NC
! ment later he saw Betty and the boy
, | their forms darkly silhouetted agains
! the lighter sky as they moved alonl
, the top of the bank. Slosson. witt
out any supernuous gallantry, helpe'
, his captivsa down the slope an
, aboard the keel boat. where he iocke
. them In the cabin. the door OF whtc
i | fastened With hasp and wooden pel
Il You're boss now, pardnsri" b
| said. Joining Darlington at the steel
1 Ing oar.
u .We1l cast Oh then."1 answers
, Darlington.
} Thus far nothing had occurred {
, mar his plans. II they could bat Qul
the bayou before the arrival Of IN
man whose place he. had taken -
rest would be, II not easy Of secou
plishment. at least within the reais
Of the possible.
II II reckon you're . river-man!" ol