The Washington times., 1914-07-18

QuSTled BDNO. Is he ilp1slc
No! He's just a harmless wart OF
boy. that's got a new wife and it's
gone to his head, maxim it mushy like
a frost bit persimmcn. But listen! Now,
they don't want to 60 to Dawson at all.
Instead. they want TO 60 up the hoyu-
kuk river to the new strike. and what's
more, ] feel like they're going to do It,
too. Take me, boat and all
We'll. don't exactly see where I
figger in this" said the marshall.
Here's how you cut in" said the
other. You're the only man on the
river with a worst reputation than Bar
dell. You're a hard man, and there's
nobody that wants trouble with you.
You're United States deputy. too. or
you was, and here's my proposition.
I'll turn the Shooting Star over to you
from keelson to Flagstaff, and you
take her through to Dawson on the
high water"
Thank you for that first remark"
said Boyd. cynicallt. But what II L
am a deputy? There amt a court
west of Sitka, nor a soldier north of
Vancouver barracgs. reckon perhaps
my reputation IS bad. seeing that I've
been a man-hunter for twenty-four
years, but your compliment don't bring
no joyful flush to my cheeks" and he
turned a pair of tired cold eyes on
to the captain. They wore the blue
gray eyes of the dangerous man, a
type peculiar to the frontier.
I'm old at this game-How old?
Might be fifty-five and might be sixty,
Ell? I'm forty-four. Wrinkles come fast
when you nurse a sawed-off shotgun
and wear a shoulder-holster steady.
and see certain old faces every night
when you sleep. I don't go looking
for trouble, as a rule, but a man'll
fight his daddy after eight months OF
bacon diet and no news from home.
I'm dying for a change. suppose we'll
, start in the morning, eh?'
Struggled under the high bank in a
kink of the river tie Shooting Star
lay. while above her, in the edge of the
tfirs. sprawled the winter quarters of
the gold seekers.
They had tasted Of the license and
freedom OF the north, and now it's in
toxication had madden them until
under the spacious guise Of commun ty
interest anarchy showed it's yellow
teeth. The aggressive element forced
the few conservatives in to the silent
background and mob rule flourtshed
rankly.
Bardell and his two lieutenants, Had
den, who had been a drummer out Of
Fall River. and Missouri Bill" a
gambler. sat in the captains cabin one
day. when a slender man climbed over
the rail, stiffy mounted the stairs 70
the deck above and entered the small
room. foul smoke and the reek Of
liquor.
The newcomer had felt the drag Of a
sled rope on his neck for days, and his
temper, sweety and chilled like his
body. was bad to the touch.
Five miles behind, Captain White
limped down the silver trail grooming
at q twisted ankle.
"Howdy." said Boyd, hanging his
coat near the fire. He spread his cap
and mittens beneath the stove with an
air Of insoent proprietorship: then,
dropping into the remaining chair, he
filled a short pipe.
Well, who the began Bardell,
roughly. but the strangers eyes were
bent on him coldly. while his hands
were busy. and the speaker finished.
are you?''
Me-" said the stranger. I'm the
Of this wagon"
20 take charge! What do we want Of
you? There's enough Of US TO run the
craft. guess
"Umph," said Boyd. lighting up.
We're going up the Koyukuk to the
new stampede as soon as the ice
breaks" said Hadden.
How ye going" said the new cap
tain.
Why. on this here boat of course"
chimed Bardeli and the gambler
Guess you didn't savvy that last re-
mark OF mine" murmured the man. II
remarked that ! was going to drive
this hearse."
You be damned" cried Bardell.
menacingly. Il tell you We don't want
no little cvaporated runts like you.
WE RE the law here. and don't you
overlook that"
L represent a fragment Of IL myself,
being a deputy: and, moreover. | fgger
on taking this outfit to Dawson re-
gardIess Of you Vermont desperadoes
and rIbbon-counter renegades Don't do
THAT" he cried sharply. and with a dart
ing movement he snatched a gun from
under his left armpit, arresting the
others desperate move. The strap of
shoulder-holster. worn and dark,
showed beneath his vest.
God. It's just flying in the face of
Providence to draw on me. Next time
you do that I'll kill we sure" He spoke
grimly. and his eyes had narrowed.
Who are your" asked Bardell
My names Boyd; sometimes known
as Hard Frank Guthrie Boyd, and
few other titles more or less de-
ceivfng."
II know you now" said Bardell
balckly. but you're buckine the wrong
game here. We make our own laws In
this bend OF the river, and your health
must have been damn bad UP above for