The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-01-24

stroke or the oars.
"Hello!" he called.
There was no immediate answer 10
his hail, and he called again as he
sent the skiff forward.
What do you want?" asked a surly
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 hurried whisper.
"Murrelb-" And in his astonish-
ment Darlington spoke aloud.
"Murrell?" cried the voice sharply.
sent me-" said Darlington quick
Iy, as though completing an unfin-
ished sentence. The girl laughed nery-
ously under her breath.
Row closter!" came the sullen
command. and the Kentuckian did as
he was bidden. Four men stood in
the bow of the keel boat, a 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 eleyating 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 TO an irk-
some responsibility. What word do
you fetch from the captain, brotherr
he demanded.
Miss Malroy is 10 be taken down
river" responded Darlington.
Slosson swore with surpassing tiu'
ency.
Say. we're five ablebodied men
risking our necks TO oblige him! You
can get married a damn sight easier
than this II you go about it right-l've
done It lots OF times" Not under
standing the significance OF Slosson's
allusion to his own matrimonial ca
reer, Darlington held his peace. The
impaired vigor. You'll find 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 this!"
answered Darlington promptly. with
a sweep of his arm. Il call these
pretty close quartsrs!"
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 on
the fiat roof OF the cabin which filled
the stern OF the boat. lie 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 fultilment OF his de-
sires! Unquestionably he had been
back OF the attack on Norton, had in
sspired 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 II Murrell were not the
! moving spirit in some such organiza-
tion.
IF I'd only pushed my quarrel with
| HIM" he thought bitterly.
He heard Slosson's shutting step in
| the distance. a word or two when he
spoke grufily to some one, and mo-
| ment later he saw Betty and the boy
their forms darkly silhouetted agains,
! 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!" ne
said. joining Darlington at the steer
ing oar
Wen cast OF then" answered
/ Darlington.
Thus far nothing had occurred tC
mar his plans. II they could but qui'
the bayou before the arrival of the
man whose place he had taken th'
rest would be. II not easy OF accom-
plishment. at least within the realm
OF the possible.
Il reckon you're a river-man?" Oh
served Slosson.
"All my life"
The line had been cast on, and th'
crew with their setting poles vert
forcing the boat away from the bank
All was quietly done; except for al
occasional order from Darlington M
word was spoken. and soon the un
wieldy craft glided into the sluggisI
current and gathered way. Mr.. Slos
son. who clearly regarded bis relation
20 the adventure as being OF an ON
cial character. continued 10 stand a
Csrrington's elbow.
CTo Bx coSTINUED)