The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-09-03

s-O-s-OS-O-s-O.s-O-s-OosO-s- ing of the kind. only meant''- "Wen, she remembers you, Pm all most sure, and so does Aunt Lucinda. Aunt Lucinda-I've heard her back home tell Auntie Helena about as good fish in the sea and she mustn't bother over man that's poor. Was it you, i Black Bart? And are you peor?''
 "As I stand before you now, Jimmy L'Olonnois. I'm the poorest beggar in | the world.'' said I. "I have risked my i all on one hazard. If I win shall be rich beyond compare; if fail I. shall 1 be poor indeed
 .sShe knows that. She knows you're poor, all right. heard Aunt Lucinda tell her often. She said you was rich l once and lost it speculating in a mine or something. and what was the use 1 marrying a man who hadn't anything? I don't know, but think that was why. Aunt Lucinda worked up this trip with MT. Davidson He's got money to burn-look at this yacht and everything and I know him and Auntie Lucinda anyhow have got 1t doped out that him and Auntie HeIen's going to get mar ried, even if they ain't now, so far's I know. Anyhow, our taking the ship l has broke up something; but, say. now, Black Bart, why don't you just do like the pirate book says?''
 How is .that?i
 Mary the captive maid your own ,self?"
 felt my color rise yet more
 tfWfly, now, that happened right along in them days-pirate chief, he takes a beautiful maiden captive, and, after making all his prisoners walk the plank but just her. he offers his hand and fortune. And lots of times, some. how, the beautiful maiden. she married the ruthless pirate chief, and they lived happy ever after. Why don't you?9
 s.I hadn't thought of that, Jimmy,'' said most mendaciously tsbut the idea has some merit. In fact, we've already started fR by taking the beau tiful maiden captive. and mayhap yon varIet yet shall walk the plank or swear a solemn oath never to wear such waistcoats as these again. But one. thing lacks-the maiden's con- senty'
 ssNo, it don't! They never ast lem. E They just married lem, that was aI1.7 And every time they lived happy ever after. And they founded families that
 "Jimmyr' I raised a hand "That will do.',
 Well, anyhow, wouldn't pay any attention to Aunt Lucinda about it. She's strong for yon varlet, for he's got the dough-"
 tsAnd isn't your Auntie Helena also but no, on second thought, will not ask you that
 Why, no. sure not. i. It's better to demand it of her own fair lips and not take no for an answer. They always live happy ever after"
 "Of course, Jimmy"
 ttAnd soswould you.''
 sfI know it, I know itI'
 Well, then, why just don't your
 Good leftenant Black Bart will take your counsel into full adyisement. Later we shall see. Meantime we must have a care for our good ships safety, for none may tell what plans yon .yarlet may be laying to cireum- vent uS.''
 So saying sought out Peterson and asked him for his maps and charts.
 There was, as I found by consulting these, a deep bayou, an old river bed, that ran inland some thirty miles, ap- parently tapping a rich plantation country which was not served by the regular river boats.
 Do you know anything about this old channel, Peterson ?'' inquired.
 Nothing at all except from hearsay and what you see here,' he replied. II don't know whether or not it has bar at either end, but likely enough 1t has at both, though we might crowd through"
 And how about the gasoline sup ply?"
 Enough to get us in at least. And, I say, here's a sort of plantation post office marked There's just a bare chance we could get a drum or so in there. I don't think we can, though"
 What's she drawing now as she runs, Peterson?''
 -Four feet two inches. She's a shade low by the stern. We've quite lot of supplies aboard this early in the cruise But don't suppose we've got enough"
 Well, Peterson said I, water leaves no trail If there's no one watching when we open up this next bend run for the bayou, and we'll see if we can get under cover. Of course it's all mistake about MT. Davidson's wiring on to have us stopped, though we can't blame him since he hasn't any idea who it is that has run away with the boat. But now it suits me better to double in here, and let the chase try. to find us the main river, if there is any chase"
 s'Well, sir, if might be so bold, what are your plans about Nthe two ladies? p
 "I have none which will affect your