The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-09-23

going more hours day than Cal Da-
vfdson-curses on him!-would be apt
to travel.
'This is a prize. our first capture"
| explained to the boys. And since
she has struck her colors let us mount
our own at her foremost and ship our
band to bigger and faster craft"
The late owner. who bore the name
Of Robinson. looked on much perplex.
ed. and. think. in some apprehension.
for he must have thought us danger.
GUS, whether sane or mad.
who'll run her?" he at length de-
manded of me. looking from me to my
two associates. Then forth and stood
Jean LATTE and answered a question
l confess had not vet myself asked:
"Ho! | guess a fellow who can run a
gasoline pump in Il creamery can han
die one of them things. So think not.
fellow. to escape us:"'
treasured Robinson. who was ap-
parently ready to make run for it..
and I explained to LATTE and L'Olon-
nois my plan.
"We'n by no means discard our brig.
the original Sea Rover" said l. land
we'll tow her along as our tender. But
we'll christen the prize the Sea Rover
instead and hoist our flag over her
and paint on her name at the first
point of call we make. Now. let us
hasten. for 1000 miles Of sea lie be-
fore us, and Robinson is also FIVE
miles from home"
you're in hurry. Black Bart.
What makes you?" And even LOlon-
uois turned Il searching gaze upon me.
"Well. III show you my true colors. :"
said |. II am more careless of taking
treasure than Of capturing certain
maiden who fees before us yonder ON
a swift craft. speedier than our own.
Lay me alongside Of her. this week,
next month. this winter, and my share
of the other booty shall be yours!'
"Black Bart" said I4afitte. II knew
something was sort of botherng you.
So it's you for the fair captive. huh?'
We sped on now steadily, day by de-
lightful day. and ever arose in my soul
new wonders at the JOY of life itself.
things that had escaped me in my plod-
ding business life.
We came. l knew not after how
many days forgotten in detail-after
passing. each avoided as a pestilence.
many cities prosperous in commerce.
alongside the river port of the city of
ST. Louis. crowded with motley and
misfit shipping of one sort or other,
where our craft might moor without
fear of exciting any suspicion. in spite
precaution to lower our flag of the
skull and crossbOnes.
l sought out the man most apt to
know of any considera BILE vessels dock
ing there and made inquiry for any
power yacht 1875 feet long. white and
black ventilators, white hull with blue
line. flying the burgee Belle Helene or
some such name. None could advise
me for time. and l looked in vain. as
| had in every dock in 600 miles. for
the trim hull of my yacht. At last one
old mariner in rubber boots, himself
skipper of houseboat south bound
for a winters trapping. admitted that
he had seen such craft three days
before.
"Did she dock?" l demanded
"Sure she did, and lay overnight.
remember it we'll enough. for saw her
tie up. And that evening her owner
went ashore and uptown. and with
| l., h., 1,,;.1 ~
girl in all the town. They must have
been married. for he was looking like
he owned her That was, lemme see,
two. days ago or maybe four. They
came aboard her next morning, all
three-there was old party along;
girls mother likely-around II o'clock
and in little while cast off and went
on down river. AS fine a boat as ever
made the river run-still as mouse
she was, but quick as a cat and around
Ste. Genevieve, l reckon, before l got
back to my own scow after helping
them off here. No wonder her owner
was proud. He stood on the quarter
deck like a lord. Why shouldn't he,
owning boat and girl like that?"
HE doesn't own either!" l retorted
holly.
why. how do you know he don't?'
demanded my seagoing man.
"Who should know if not myself?"
"Sho! You talk like you owned herr
II do own her!"
ut looks like it. Which do you mean
her the yacht or her the girl?"
'Roth-no: That is. we'll ut least l
own the boat"
THAT may all be or it all mayn't,'
he replied. openly SOOTHING; "at least SO
FAIRS the boat goes. Anybody kin buy
anything that has the price. But, as
to the girl. you'd have to prove it If !