The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-11-17

II thought" said the Englishman
that the law was well enforced In
these parts
80 1t is in the towns. You kin git
lot of 1t in Cincinnati, but who is
goin' to take keer o the law on the
river? Do you expect to find court
houses on the bars? Hello, cap'n! You
goin to wreck us on that snag?'
The boat was guided safely around
the trunk of dead tree the roots of
which were partly submerged In shall
low water, the branches standing out
in position to receive anything the cur
rent might bear to them. And the
woman proceeded:
81 got a pistol and a bowie knife
with me, but don't reckon I'll try to
use EN- if were attacked don't
keer to give up my lif tryin' to save
the few dollars | got with me. Be
sides, the pirates amt mean enough to
sarch woman, and | got my valybleS
under my frock."
'Mon Dieu!" exclaimed the French,
man. Il have wiz me all re l'argent
for to open a store in Louisville If re
riviere pirates take it away what will
i do?'
! I've bought Il thousand acres" said
J the land Spectator, "on Green river
and have $1,000 to pay for it in my
money belt. TO lose the money would
! knock me cold
"Och, murther!'' 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
EN-"
J "You didn't, eh?' protested the wo-
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 handful Of Mexican silver
coins which were the principal small
at that time.
The flatboat turned a bend in the
river, and several miles below row.
boat was seen in the middle Of the
stream, her crew resting on its oars
AS soon as the fiatboat had rounded
fho han1 tho tn
rise, the boat moving slowly toward
the current
go landsake." exclaimed the wo-
man, "ef thar amt the boat that
stopped at my cabin Yesterday!
How do you know it's the same?'
cried several men at once, paling.
II amt shore, but ] kin tell purity
soon'
Say" cried the land Spectator.
would you mind hangin' my money
belt beside your purse?'
Reckon ! will" was the compacent
reply.
"And my pocketbook said the Eng
lishman
"And my portemonnaie?" added the
Frenchman
The woman put the purse and the
money belt under her tape waistband
and stuffed the pocketbook under 1t.
Within few minutes enough watches
were dangling from her waist. sand
WICKED between the purses and pocket.
books. to do credit to pawnshop win
| dow.
Meanwhile the flatboat was nearing
the boat, which now was seen to
contain only three men. Those on
the fatbOat numbered a 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 it, arguing
that the pirates would respect the
woman and their valuables were safe
without risking their lives.
81 amt quite Shore" said the WON
an as the datboat drew near the other,
IF they're the men that came TO my
cabin yesterday or not"
well. hold on to the plumber till
yere shure," said the lrishman.
Hello, Salr' cried one of the men
from the boat.
"Lordy, Ben, is that your"
Reckon. Whar 20 goin'?"
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 il
held it TO the larger with his hand
The woman walked the deck toward
her friends, those on the flatboat re
naming where they were.
Suddenly they saw her jump down
into the rowboat. 1t was pushed off
and a few quick strokes sent it out OF
range of the 1atboat.
"These gents" called the woman
have invited me to go to Loueyvills
with 'em. You'll find your valyble:
thar when you get thar. You neednt
be afraid O. their fallin' into the hand!
O. river pirates while they're on me
Goodby. Much obleeged for takin' m,
aboard."