The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-11-10

rent might Dear 10 them. ana the
woman proceeded:
IL got q pistol and a bowie knife
with me, but don't reckon I'll try to
use 'em II we're attacked. I don't
keer to give up my LII, tryin' to save
the few dollars l got with me. Be-
aides, the pirates amt mean enough to
parch a woman, and got my valybles
under my frock."
Mon Dieur' exclaimed the French.
man. II have wiz me all re rargent
for to open a store in Louisville. If ze
riviere pirates take 1t away, what win
/ dor"
1--WE bought thousand acres" said
the land SPECTATOR. ION Green river
and have $1,000 to pay for 1t in my
money belt. To lose the money would
knock me cold"
"Och, murtherv' said the Irishman.
Il don't believe in river pirates, at all,
at all. I've lived in Cincinnati for two
years, and / niver heard anything Of
'em."
you didn't, eh?" protested the wo7
man scornfully. "a boatload of 'em
pulled up to my cabin Yesterday and
made me cook dinner for 'em. They
purity nigh skeered me to death. how
somever."
did they rob your" asked the Eng
lishman earnestly.
"No, they didn't rob me, and they
paid me for the dinner. They said
they wasn't SIGH low down varmints
as to injure woman"
And she pulled from a pocket In her
dress a handful of Mexican silver
coins which were the principal small
currency In common use In the west
at that time.
The flatboat turned a bend In the
river, and several miles below q row.
boat was seen In the middle Of the
stream, her crew resting on its oars.
AS soon as the flatboat had rounded
the bend the oars began to dip and
rise, the boat moving slowly toward
the current.
$40. landsake," exclaimed the wo-
man, "ef thar amt the boat that
stopped at my cabin yisterdayw
How do you know it's the sameT"
cried several men at once, paling.
II amt shore, but Kin tell purity
soon."
"Say," cried the land speculator,
would you mind hangin' my money
belt beside your purse?'
Reckon WILL" was the complacent
reply.
"And my pocketbook ?" said the Eng
Nshman.
"And my portemonnaie? added the
Frenchman.
The woman put the purse and the
money belt under her tape waistband
and stuffed the pocketbook under It.
Within a few minutes enough watches
were dangling from her waist. sand
wiched between the purses and pocket
books. to do credit to pawnshop win
dow.
Meanwhile the f1atboat was nearing
the boat, which now was seen to
contain only three men. Those on
the flatboat numbered half dozen,
though there were few arms among
them. They consulted as to whether
they would put up fight or not.
Some were in favor Of doing SO, but
the majority were against 1t. arguing
that the pirates would respect the
woman and their valuables were safe
without risking their lives.
II amt quite Shore" said the wom-
an as the flatboat drew near the other,
eff they're the men that came to my
cabin yesterday or not"
"Well, hold on to the plumber till
ye're shure," said the Irishman.
"Hello, Saly cried one of the men
from the boat.
"Lordy, Ben. is that your"
Reckon. whar yo' goin'T'
ITO Loueyville. Jim went over thar
week ago to find somepin to do. He
sent for me to take the first chance to
foller him"
BY this time the rowboat had pulled
up beside the other. and man in 1t
held it to the larger with his hand.
The woman walked the deck toward
her friends. those on the 1atboat re-
naming where they were.
Suddenly they saw her jump down
into the rowboat. 1t was pushed of,
and few quick strokes sent 1t out of
range Of the flatboat.
''These gents" called the woman,
have invited me to 60 to Loueyville
with EN-. You'll find your valybles
thar when you get thar. You needn't
be afraid o. their fallin' into the hands
o. river pirates while they're on me.
Goodby. Much obleeged for takin' me
aboard"
The men on the flatboat stood par
alyzed at seeing their property thus
taken from them without the ability
to make any stand for 1t. The Irish
man pulled a pistol from his pocket
and fred at the retreating boat. but
his shot fell short. The boat as soon
as 1t was out OF range turned and
made up the river. Since the 1atboat
could not be propelled upstream the
thieves and their woman confederate
were perfectly safe from them. Soon
they began to row leisurcly. sending
mocking remarks to those they had
robbed.