The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-05-21
CHAPTER X.

he wasted the Dott0r part OF III
hour in fruitless and perhaps ILL.,
advised inquiries; then his luck, such
as it was, led him on suspicion down
a poorly lighted wharf. at the ex-
IRENE end Of which he discovered a
lonely young man perched atop a pile,
hands in pockets, gaze turned to q
tide wherein. now black night had
fallen, pallid wraiths of yachts swung
just visibly, beneath uneasy riding
lights.
Pardon me-" Alan ventured. "but
perhaps you can help me out
you've come to the wrong shop. my
friend" the young man interposed
with morose civility; II couldn't help
anybody out Of anything-the way I
| am now"
I'm sorry" said Alan. "but I
thought possibly you might know
where l could find a seaworthy boat
to charter"
The young man slipped smartly
down from his perch. IF you don't
look sharp" he said ominously, you'll
charter the Seaventure." He waved
his hand toward a vessel moored
| alongside the wharf: There she Is,
and a better boat you won't find any
Observation-Disclosures. fifty feet over
all, twenty-five horsepower, motor aux
Hilary, two staterooms-all ready for
as long a coastwise cruise as you care
to take. Come aboard"
He led briskly across the wharf,
down a gangplank, then aft along the
deck to a companionwayj by which the
! two men gained a comfortable and
roomy cabin, bright with fresh white
enamel.
Here the light Of the cabin lamp 10
vealed to Alan's searching scrutiny .
person of sturdy build and Independent
carriage, with a roughly modelled,
good-humored face. reddish hair. and
steady though twinkling blue eyes.
Name. Barcus," the young man in
troduced himself cheerfully; Chris
tened Thomas. Nativity, American.
! State of life, fiat broke. That's the
rub" he laughed, and shrugged, shame
faced. 81 found myself hard up this
spring with this boat on my hands,
sunk every cent I had-and then some
fitting out on an oral charter with
a moneyed Brighter in New York, who
was to have met me here a fortnight
since. He didnt-and here l am, in
pawn to the ship chandler, desperate
enough for anything"
"How much do you owe?"
Upwards of a hundred"
"Say I advanced that amount-when
can we sail?"
The young man reflected briefly.
There's something SO engagingly idi-
otto about this proceeding" he OBJ
served wistfully. "1've got the strang-
| est kind Of a bunch it's going to go
through. Pay my bills, and we can be
of inside an Hour. That is"
He checked with an exclamation of
dismay, chapfallen. II may have some
trouble soaring up q crew at short
notice. l had two men engaged, but
last week they got tired doing moth
ing for nothing and left me fat"
Then that's settled" Alan said. II
know boats; I'll be your crew-and the
| better satisfied to have nobody else
aboard"
The eyes Of Mr.. Barcus clouded.
"see here, my headlong friend. what's
your little game, anyway? I don't
mind playing the fool on the high seas,
but I'll be no party to q kidnapping
or"
"It's an elopement." Alan interrupt
ed on inspiration. We've simply got
to get clear Of Portland by midnight"
You're on!" Barcus agreed prompt
II, his face clearing. God only. knows
why / believe you. but I do-And here's
my hand!"