The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1916-09-14
The Bold
Kidnaper
Why the Charge Of Piracy
Was Not Pressed
By BARNEY PRESTON

~N~~ -@@-~N@f
minds these two pastimes may APP
pear synonymous, but Billy Nc
Wicker, withal a rather serious per
sonage, while he found them each
equally pleasant, was never more
awake than when, with his short
sighted eyes close to one Of his IA
vorite and well thumbed volumes,
he absorbed philosophic reflections
ON life in general to his hearts con-
tent.
The philosophical tones were
ubiquitous with him. They bulged
his pockets or were trundled-if
they happened to be larger-be-
meath his arm with a patience wor-
thy of better things.
Therefore on a certain perfect
early summer day, when Mr.. Ne
Wicker walked slowly down the
winding path that led to the anchor
age in the bay, a brown book stuck
out of the hip pocket Of his yacht
ing trousers and a lean forefinger
rested between the pages Of another
which he carried in his hand.
Between his periods Of reading
and sleep Billy MeVicker was some
thing Of a sailor, and today, with
Just enough breeze for a spin with
a whole sail, he united the painter
Of the little tender, floating at the
end Of the pier, pushed of and
sculled leisurely to his knockabOut,
which lay at her mornings in the
BAY.
Once aboard the knockabout, the
breeze, to McVieker's unutterable
disgust, began to die out. The ruff
fed surface Of the bay began to take
on an oily smOothness, indicative Of
the coming calm McVicker, be-
holding it, grunted disgnstedly.
However, there would be plenty
Of other days with a good breeze.
There was even a chance that one
might spring up a bit later. A pa
tent and accomplishing soul was
Billy McVicker-when he was arm
ed with one Of his philosophical
tones
Therefore he ensconeed himself |
comfortably on the cushions Of the i
cockpit, opened the volume in his |
hand and, forgetful alike Of sun
and calm, was soon engrossed in his
reading.
Long and thoughtfully did Nc
Wicker follow the text. Then, paus-
ing for a moment to digest what he
had Just been perusing, he was
aware that the second Of his pas
times was crying strongly for recog-
milton. In other words, Billy Nc
Wicker was beautifully and luxuri-
ously drowsy.
The breeze by this time had died
out completely. TIE sun was be-
coming intentionally hot. Mr..
retired to the diminutive
.uddy, half closed the doors to shut
put the reflected glare Of the sun
IN the quiet water and, curling him
Ielf up, lost himself in profound
md dreamless slumber.
He was awakened by the noisy
attic Of the sail and the squeak Of !
he blocks as the peak was hoisted.
-Azily he opened his eyes, and as he I
i'd so his ear caught the sound Of 4
ight footballs on the deck.
This was followed by a loud
plash as the knockabout's moor 4
1gs we're thrown of and the sharp :
racking Of the sail as it filed. With /
hese sounds also came the tapping =
I water about the bow, which told 8
i'm plainly that the knockabout n
as under way. liz
He yawned lazily and collected G
is scattered wits. Why should the q
ii be up and the knockabout start
e out Of the bayS There was no
.ason whatever, he told himself.
The footballs sounded along the !,
sck again, thudded into the cock =
{, and Immediately McVicker re- d
lied that his kidnaper, whoever it II
light be, had taken the tiller, for at I.
ICE the knockabout heeIed sharply n
ID went scudding out Of the bay d
ward the sound beyond. B,
'By George, this is pretty cool q
d nervy," McVicker observed to &
mself, and then he crept TO the y
ddy doors and through a crack a.
cred cautiously aft. II
One glance was sufficient to make n.
r. McVicker gasp in whole souled ~
rprise, for there by the tiller
,od Helen Weldon, who was spend
: the week with the Grays and
: whom, ever since her first APP do
arance at Rapport the summer be- W.
e Billy NeVicker had evinced
decidedly more than a NJ,
ssing interest ba
With a covert chuckle he drew
ay from his peephoIe at the doors, ba
obed the sleep from his eyes and -