The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-03-13
I wondered N they were speaking

would apply. No one seemed to know
very much Of this brnwny, sandy
giant. In spite OF his two years resi-
dence In the neighborhood.
Now the shores shadow Was On
gulfing us. and the next moment, with
a gentle swish of waters, We felt the
boats bottom CRATE on the pebbly
beach. There was landing short
distance further up-a spindiina
wooden pler--and to this Jerry. knee
deep in the black water, turned tss
boat and made It fast.
The prospect which confronted ua
as we walked shoreward over the
creaking planks was about as hos
pftnble as the grim walls OF prison
The tree barrier rose stark and for
bidding a dozen yards away. Be
tween II and the river was a com
binatton 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. n veritable
valley OF shadow. through which We
passed to strip OF neglected swnrd
and n squat. implanted weather.beat'
en- cottage OF single story, with
vine.screened yerandah.
And In what seemed to us the very
center OF the house front. there shone
tiny glowing point Of red fire. We
had not come altogether in vain. BY
all the odds of chance, 1t was safe
conclusion that Murphy, in proprla
persona, was behind that lighted end
of a cigar. Then we saw the point
move, describing a half circle. and ST.
multaneously voice rang out-a
deep, sonorous voice. but OF churllsh
information:
What do you want here?"
suppose he expected me to come
to sudden halt. but was then only
few steps distant from the veran'
dab, and as | answered him. COW
cred that distance.
"My motor boat ran out Of gaso'
lene," ! said. "and drlfted to your
beach. | was In hopes We might Dor
row enough TO get us home"
saw him now. dimly, in the shad'
owed recess. He was seated facing
me, creature Of great bulk, with
huge head and ponderous shoulders.
81 don't keep gasoleno," was his
gruff response.
Il thought" | began, but his next
utterance drowned my words.
81 say | don't keep It," he relter.
ated, in louder tones. isn't that
plain?"
"Oh. quite. You have neither gaso.
lene nor good manners"
saw him rise. massive tower,
dwarhng his surroundings, and take
n step forward TO the edge OF his
porch.
This Is my house and my castle"
he flung at me, savagely. and | won't
stand for tregpassers. II you two
don't want 10 be flung off my proper
~, 1t would be Advisable for you to
make haste in going"
My laugh was not calculated to
salve his III humor, yet ! think he
must have gathered from 1t that was
not to BIO terrorlzed by either his
size or his threats.
Your names Murphy, think" ]
ventured, calmly, not moving an inch.
But he made no response.
Mine Is Clyde" | went on; II am
one OF the state game wardens"
I'm not interested In who you
are" he growled.
But I'm interested in learning
what your Chinaman was shooting
this morning, over on tho Cameron
place"
Then find out" was his courteous
retort. I'm sure shan't tell you"
Maybe the Chinaman viii be more
obllglng." suggested, and turning to
Jerry, who had stood in silence, all
the while, n few steps behind me.
said: Look around at the back, my
lad. and if you can find Mr.. Murphy's
man fetch him here"
But before had quite finished, the
big man in the shadow Of the yeran-
dab was storming:
Hell stop Just where he is. II he
darcs to come another step nearer
this house, I'll throw the pair OF you
over the hedge. neck and crop. Do
you hear me?"
And II you dare to interfere with
an officer or his deputy in tho dis.
charge of his duty, the authorities
will settle with you." was my calm re-
joinder. "Trot ahead. Jerryl His
bark's worse than his bite"
Jerry, quick to obey, disappeared
On the instant around tho corner OF
the bungalow, and Murphy. after
pretended dash forward, halted on
the lower porch step.
See here!" he demanded, cum
Drously. whats all this. anyhow
You come here after gasolene. os-
and then declare you're
zane wardens after law-defying.
Chinese poacher."