Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1913-01-02

giant, In spite of his two years resi-
dence in the neighborhood.
Now the shores shadow was en-.
quilting us. and the next moment, with
gentle swish OF waters, we felt the
boats bottom crate on the pebbiy
beach. There was n landing a short
distance further up--a spindlins
wooden pier--and to this Jerry, snee
deep in the black water. turned ts-
boat and made It fast.
The prospect which confronted US
as we walked shoreward over the
creaking planks was about as hos
pitable as the grim walls OF prison.
The tree barrier rose stark and for
bidding a dozen yards away. Be
tween it and the river was COM
bination Of pebbles. sand. high grass,
and ragged overgrown lawn, family
visible in the starlight. On nearer
approach. however, we found an OPEN
| ing in the curtain OF trees, veritable
| valley of shadow, through which we
| passed to a strip Of neglected sward
and a squat, implanted weather'beat-
en- cottage of single story, with
vine-screened verandah.
And in what seemed to us the very
! center OF the house front, there shone
a tiny glowing point Of red fire. We
had. not come altogether in vain. by
all the odds of chance, 1t was a safe
conclusion that Murphy, in propria
persona, was behind that lighted end
| OF a cigar. Then we saw the point
move. describing a half circle, and ST.
simultaneously a voice rang out-a
deep, sonorous voice, but Of churlish
intonation:
What do you want here?"
suppose he expected me to come
to a sudden halt, but was then only
few steps distant from the veran-
dab, and as l answered him, | COW
cred that distance.
my motor boat ran out OF gaso-
lene," / said, "and drifted to your
beach. ! was in hopes we might Dor
row enough to get US home"
| saw him now, dlmly, in the shad'
owed\ recess. He was seated facing
me, a. creature Of great bulk. with
huge head and ponderous shoulders.
81 don't keep gasolene," was his
| BruU response.
Il thought" l began, but his next
/ utterance drowned my words.
. Il say | don't keep it," he reiter-
ated. in louder tones. Isn't that
plain?"
"Oh. quite. You have neither gaso'
lene nor good manners"
saw him rise, a massive tower,
! dwarhng his surroundings, and take
step forward to the edge OF his
porch.
: This is my house and my castle,
? he flung at me, savagely, "and wont
l stand for trespassers. If you two
. don't want to be flung off my proper
: ty, It would be advisable for you to
make haste in going"
My laugh was not calculated 10
8 salve his i'll humor, yet | think he
must have gathered from it that was
/ not TO be terrorized by either his
! size or his threats.
g Your names Murphy, ] think.
ventured. calmly, not moving an inch
1 But he made no response.
I milne is Clyde" | went on; Il am
5 one of the state game wardens."
/. Pm not interested in who you
E are" he growled.
e But I'm interested in learning
!. what your Chinaman was shooting
e this morning, over on the Cameron
e place"
: Then find out" was his courteous
& retort. I'm sure ! shant tell you"
e Maybe the Chinaman will be mort
/ obliging," / suggested. and turning tc
Jerry. who had stood in silence, al
e the while, a few steps behind me.
: said: Look around at the back, my
; lad, and if you can find Mr.. Murphy
= man fetch him here"
e But before l had quite finished, th|
g big man in the shadow Of the veran
/, dab was storming:
e He'll stop Just where he Is. III h'
dares to come another step nearer
l. this house. I'll throw the pair OF yo'
l over the hedge, neck and crop. Dc
II you hear me-?
< And II you dare 10 interfere will
t. an officer or his deputy in the dis
e charge OF his duty, the authorities
Y will settle with you" was my calm re
|, toinder. "Trot ahead, Jerry! Hi
Il bark's worse than his bite"
e Jerry, quick to obey, disappeared
on the instant around the corner o
n the bungalow, and Murphy, after
/ pretended dash forward, halted oil
= the lower porch step.
n See here!" ne demanded. cHm
e brously. What's all this, anyhow
You come here after gasolene, os
: tenaibly, and then declare your,
8 game wardens after a law-defyine
l. Chinese poacher."