Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-08-27

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! Splinters flew whore the sharp calks
bit into the wharf planking, and his
companions applauded.
1t daNned upon Stella Benton that
/ these might be Jack Fyfe's drunken
| loggers, and she withdrew until the
way should he clear, vitality Interested
because her brother was Il logging man
| and wondering II these were the hui
man tools lie used In his business #
these were the sort Of men with whom
lie associated. They were a rough lot
and some We're very drunk. With the
manifestations # liquor she had but
the most shadowy acquaintance, but
she would have been little less than a
fool not to comprehend this.
Then they began filing down the
gangway to the boats deck. One slip
ped and came near falling into the wa
ter, Wherent lis fellows howled glee-
fully. Precar.ously they negotiated
the slanting passage. all but one. He
sat him down at the slip head on his
bundle and began Il quaverlng chant.
The wagon backed out, and the way
was clear save for the logger sitting on
his blankets. wailing his mgubriOus
song. From below his fellows urged
him to cone along. \ bell changed in
the pilot house, The exhaust of n gas
engine began to spntter through the
boats side. From her after deck a
man hailed the logger sharply and
when his call was unheeded he ran
lightly up the slip A short squarey
built man he was. as light on his feet
as dancing master.
Hurry aboard. Mike, were wait
ing he said impatently.
The logger rose, waved his hand airi-
~ and turned us If to retreat down the
wharf. The other caught him by the
arm and spun him face TO the slip.
Come on, Slater" he said evenly
Il have no time to fool around"
The logger drew back his fist. He
was IA fairly biz man. But il he had
In mind to deal Il blow il failed. Tor
the other ducked and caught him with
both arms around the middle. He ,ft-
ed The logger clear OF the wharf. hoist
ed him to the level Of his breast and
heaVed him down the slip as one would
'""T sack of bran.
lihe mans body bounced on the in
cline, rolled, slid. tumbled till at length
he brought up against the boats guard.
and all that saved him Il duckng Yves
the prompt extension of several stout
arms. which clutched and hauled him
to the flush after deck. He sat on hi,
launches, blinking. Then he laughed
80 did the man at the top Of the slip
but the roar Of him who had taken
that inglorious descent rose lnudpst Of
all. an explosive "IIar, har, har"
Hey, jack" he shouted "Mayb,
y en- throw m blankets down too.
while y'r ut It."
The man ut the slip head caught up
the roll poised it high and cast It from
him with quick twist OF his b.dy
The wooden missile flew like well put
shot and caught its owner fair In the ,
breast, tumblng him backward on the
deck, and the Homeric laughter rose IN
double strength. Then the boat began
to swing and the man ran down and |
leaped the widening space as she drew
away from her mooring.
Stella watched the craft gather way. !
a trihe shocked, her breath coming a
little faster. The most deadly blows I
she had ever seen struck We're deliv- +
cred in more subtle, less virile mode, /
a curl of the lip, an infection of the !
voice. These were n different order Of
beings. This, she sensed, was man In |
Il more primitive aspect, man with the
bark stripped clean or
him. And she scarcely knew whether
to be amused or frightened when she
reflected that among such her HE
would presently lie Charlie had writ
ten that she would find things and pco.
pie n trihe rougher than she was used
TO. She could well believe That. But
hey were picturesque rutilans.
Her interested gnze followed the
amp tender as II swung around the
wharf end, and so her roaming eyes
we're led to another craft drawing near.
This might be her brothers vessel.
She Went back to the outer landing to