Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-07-31

She turned toward Davidson.
could hear across the water the sound
Of laughter. A sudden feeling of an
ger came into my soni-
The three figures passed forward
along tue deck slowly and disappeared
down the front companion stair which
led TO the coy dining room. / could
see them an sitting there. about ny
own table. using the very silver and
linen which had made for the Belle
Helene. attended by John. my Chinese
cook and factotum. whom had es-
neclaIIy imported. selected from among
a thousand other Chinese by myself at
Hankow. I knew that Davidson would
have champagne and dozen other
wines in abundance. everything the
nIarket offered. a pleasant party, this
of three. which was seating Itself at
my taAic over wonder. while /. in
grimy. dingy little rub. lay looking at
them helpless in the gloom;
I scarce know how the time pass
cd until / saw them. in the hlumi-
nation Of the deck lights, at length
come on deck again. They stood look
ing oul over the river or toward the
lights Of Natchez- Under,theHiH, and
1T length idly walked aft once more
The two ladies' seated themselves On
deck chairs under the awning of the
rear deck. I could not see them now,
but heard the tinkie and throb of
guitar come across the water touched
lightly with long pauses, as under
some suspended melody not yet offer
ed in fuIlness. Now and again I could
hear a word or so, the rather deep
voice OF Aunt Lucinda. the bass tones
Of Davidson, but strain my ears as l
might / could not bear the sound Of
that other voice. low and sweet, an eX-
cellent thing in woman.
AT length the little party seemed to
be breaking up I saw Davidson. half
in shadow. outlined by the deck lights
as he rose and passed forward Then
I heard the falls run and soft splash
as the dinghy was launched oversize
Cal Davidson was going ashore, He
could no longer resist his anxiety over
the baseball score.
Clear away the longboat for the
boarding party," 1 new whispered
hoursely. / spoke to companions now
in full character Belted aud armed,
LATTE and LfOlonnois rose. ready for
any bold emprise. each with red ker-
chief pulled about his brow And now
TO my interest observed thar each
had resumed the black mask which
be bad worn earlier in our long vgy-
age. sign Of the desperate character of
each wearer.
WHITTIER away, Black Bart?' de
mauded L'0lonuois 6ercely. Lead,
and we follow"
You had better put on Il mask. Black
Bart" added Jean LATTE. and handed
me a spare one of his own mauufac-
ture. besitated: bnt. then. seeing
that part of my success lay in our all
remaining somewhat pirarical of char
acter, / hastily slipped it above my
eyes ana pulled down my hat Drim.
"She wilt not know me now said to
myself
Partial. without invitation. climbed
into the stif with Us. Cast off,"
ordered "Oars!" And my young men.
whom by this time 1 had trained in
many ways nautical. obeyed in good
seaman fashion. A moment later we
lay almost under the rail Of the Belle
Helene No one bailed us. We seem
ed taken only for some passing skif
Listen" I whispered. There is
risk in what We are going to do"
1 looked az my blue eyed pirate.
L-OIonnofs. who sat closer to me. on
his face was simple and complete hap
piueSs. At last his adventure had
come 10 aim. and he was meeting it
Ike man.
what is it. Black Bartf" heard
Jean LATTE whisper hoarsely.
We are to board and take yonder
ship ! replied softly. IF we are to
succeed You must do precisely as I
tc]l You Leave the main risk TO me
that of fine law. I'll take possession
on the ground THAT she is nay boat,