American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-06-22

punished waters. Even above the dip
and slither Of his own oars, Parr
could hear, as he pulled, the creak Of
other oar-locks and as he laid along
side his speed launch and stood up to.
help Patria board it, he distinctly
beard somewhere near by the drum Of
Two other motors start up almost 81
nultaneOusly.
Was one Huroki's? Parr wondered.
Was that gentleman's hasty departure
from the Claiming cottage but a pre-
Jude to a mad dash with an aim like
unto their own?
Running forward, he cast off the
mooring, then came aft again and,
preparatory to starting the engine, shot
home the ignition switch.
Instantly with mufled defamation and
brilliant flash, the gasoline tank in the
bows exploded.
Blinded, half stunned, Patria reeled
back into the captains arms, and for
q moment remained there, while both
struggled to recover from the shock.
But Parr was less aware of her in that
intimate position than might have
been expected, even the bewildering
circumstances considered. For there
was but one thought coherent in the
turmoil of his mind
The electric wiring must have been
purposely diverted to the tank in or
der to cause this explosion when the
switch was closed.
An enemy had done this thing.
Duly he heard a voice shoutingi
"Mees Channingl Mees Patrial This
way-I save your
Patria d%lsengaged from PARIS armsi
he rubbed his eyes, looked. and saw
another power boat standing along
side. In it, fishing with a boathook'
for the side of the launch, stood Senior
Juan de Lima.
With much excuse Parr thought this
rescue oddly opportune. Then the
bOathOOk caught the gunwale; the two
small craft swung nearer together. De
Lima leaned %perilously out, offering
Patria a hand. She caught 1t, jumped,
landed safely. Parr climbed up on the
side and prepared to follow. But
while posing for the leap, he saw the
water swiftly widen between him and
safety.
De Lima was not waiting for him.
Very much to the contrary, the Med-
can was deliberately pushing off.
Parr cursed him literally, finding In
this sufficient proof that the explosion
had been 40 mere accident-even as
there had been nothing adventurous
about the timely coming of De Lima's
boat. Patria was wanted he, Donald
Parr, was not-was to be left to burn
and drown. That he purposed doing
neither was beside the point.
But the Mexican's stratagem failed
In its upshOt. Parr laughed aloud to
see De Lima turn back to re-enter the
cockpit of his vessel and find himself
nose to nose with a small but decid-
eddy wicked-looking pistol in Patria's
hand.
With a scream of mingled fright and
surprise the Mexican dropped the boat
hook and toppled backward. The har-
NO- NNCN AtA ~ 10 uOSOms OItdl unQ
greatly satisfying was the splash
thereof.
Putting up her pistol, Patria seized
the %boathoOk and with 1t bridged the
yawnIng gap. Parr jumped, and fell
In a heap at her feet.
He wasted no precious moments In
efforts to salvage the jettisoned con-
spirator. De Lima had fairly earned
his ducking; when sufficiently weary
of %foundering about and shrieking for
help, when his strength failed and be
went under, 1t would be only to find
footing in waist-deep water.
And so 1t fell out. Starting the en-
CINE, Parr grasped the wheel and
shaped a true course out from the
anchorage. To his immense gratihca.
ton, the boat proved to be a fast one.
Astern a pathetic scene dwtndled
rapidly Senior Juan de Lima standing
half out OF water. alternately tearing
his hair and threatening high heaven
with exasperated fists, his plight
brightly illuminated by the glare OF &
burning power launch.
(END OF FIRST EPISODE)