Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1913-01-10

darkness, then the keel boat became
distinguishable; and Darlington
checked the skiff by backward
stroke Of the oars
'Hello!" he called.
There was no immediate answer to
his hail, and he called again as he
sent the skiff forward.
What do you want?' asked 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 a hurried whisper.
"Murrell-" And in his astonish-
ment Darlington spoke aloud.
"Murrell?" cried the voice sharply.
sent mel" said Darlington quick.
ly, as though completing an untin-
ished sentence. The girl laughed nerv-
ously under her breath.
Row closter!" came the sullen
command, and the Kentuckian did as
he was hidden 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 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 I'M
der the enlivening and elevating In
f1uence 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
he demanded.
Miss Malroy is to be taken down
river" responded Darlington.
Slosson swore with SURPRISING flu
ency.
Say, we're five able-bodied men
risking our necks to oblige him! You
can get married damn sight easier
than this If you go about it right-l'va
done it lots of times" Not under
standing the significance Of Slosson's
aEJsion to his own matrimonial ca
reer, Darlington held his peace. The
tavern-keeper swofS again with I'M
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
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 on
the fat roof of the cabin which filled
the stern of the boat. He 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 ins
spired his subsequent murder, and the
mans sinister and mysterious power
had never been suspected. Carring
ton knew that the hOrse-thieVes and
slave steaIers were supposed to main.
tain a loosely knit association; he
wondered If Murrell were not the
moving spirit In some such organ1za-
ton
IF I'd only pushed my quarrel with
him." he thought bitterly.
He heard Slosson's shutting step in
the distance, word or two when he
spoke gruff1y to some one, and mo-
ment later he saw Betty and the Doys
their forms darkly silhouetted against
the lighter sky as they moved along
the top of the bank. Slosson, with.
out any superfiuous 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!" he
said, joining Darlington at the steer
ting oar.
wen cast OIL Lu0u, ais HGIC0
Darlington
Thus far nothing had occurred to
mar his plans. II 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.
Il reckon you're river-man?" OBJ
served Slosson.
"All my life"
The line had been cast on, and the
crew with their setting poles were
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 un.
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 OIL
els. character, continued 70 stand al
Carrington's elbow.
To BE CONTINUEnl