The Forrest City times., 1913-03-14

OF Murphy. My telephone inquiry OF
Cameron and subsequent questioning
of the men about my place had
proved TO me that both observations
would apply. No one seemed to know
very much OF this brawny, sandy
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
a gentle swish of waters, we felt the
boats bottom CRATE on the pebbly
beach. There was landing a short
distance further up-a spindling
wooden pier-and to this Jerry. knee
deep in the black water, turned the
boat and made it fast.
The prospect which confronted US
as we walked shoreward over the
creaking planks was about as hos
pltable as the grim walls of a prison.
The tree barrier rose stark and for
/ bidding a dozen yards away. Be
tween it and the river was a com
binauon of pebbles. sand. high grass,
and ragged oveTgrown 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
4 passed to strip Of neglected sward
+ and squat. implanted weather-beat"
en- cottage of single story. with
! vtne-screened yerandah.
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, it was a safe
conclusion that Murphy, in propria
/ persona. was behind that lighted end
+ of a cigar Then We saw the point
move. describing half circle, and ST
multaneously a voice rang out--a
deep, sonorous voice. but of churlish
| information:
What do you want here?'
I suppose he expected me to come
TO a sudden halt, but | was then only
a few steps distant from the veran-
dab, and as I answered him, l Gov
cred that distance.
My motor boat ran out of gaso-
lene," l said, and drifted TO your
beach. was in hopes We might Dor
row enough to get US home
l saw him now. dimly, IN the shad-
owed recess He vas seated facing
NE. a creature OF great bulk. with
huge head and ponderous shoulders.
Il dom keep gasolene.' was his
gruf response.
Il thought" began, but his next
Il say I don't keep it," he reiter-
ated. in louder tones. Isn't that
plain"
oh. quite. You have neither gaso-
!ene nor good manners"
saw him rise. massive tower.
dvarfng his surroundings, and take
a step forward 10 the edge Of his
porch.
This is my house and my castle,
he flung at NE, savagely. and I won't
stand for trespassers. II you two
don't want 10 be dung of my proper
". it would be advisable for you TO
make haste in going
My laugh was not calculated TO
salve his Ill humor, yet I think he
must have gathered from it that I was
not to be terrorized by either his
size or his threats.
1 Your names Murphy, I think
ventured. calmly, not moving an inch.
I But he made no response.
Mine is Clyde I went on; ~ am
one of the state game wardens."
I'm not interested in who you
are" he growled-
Put I'm Interested in learning
what your Chinaman was shooting
this morning, over ca the Cameron
place"
Then find out" was his courteous
retort. I'm sure I shan't tell you"
Maybe the Chinaman viii be more
obliging." I suggested and turning to
Jerry. who had stood in silence, all
the while, a few steps behind me,
said: Look around al the back, my
lad. and if you can And Mr.. Murphy's
man fetch him here"
But before I had quite finished. the
big man In the shadow OF the veran-
dab was storming;
He'll stop Just where he is. II he
dares 10 come another step nearer
this house. I'll throw the pair Of you
over the hedge, neck and crop. Do
you hear me-"
And If you dare 10 interfere with
an officer or his deputy in the dis
! charge Of his duty. the authorities
will settle with you" was my calm re-
joinder. "Trot ahead. Jerry, His
bark's worse than his bite"
Jerry. quick to obey. disappeared
on the instant around the corner OF
the bungalow. and Murphy. after a
pretended dash forward. halted on
the lower porch step.
See here" ne demanded. cum
brously What's all this. anyhow
You come here after gasolene, o.
tensibly. and then declare you're
game wardens after a law-defying.
/ Chinese poacher"
CTO BE CONTINUED)