The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1919-10-02

people no longer seemed probable to
me, for the Hawk was evidently the
stronger character of the two, pos.
sessed the larger following and made
no attempt to conceal the depth of his
hatred for all things American.
Down below where / sat little riv.
er steamboat was tied to the wharf, O
dingy stern-wheeler, with the word
warrior" painted across the pilot
house. My eyes and thoughts turned
that way. Standing alone together
near the stern were a heavily-built
man with white hair and beard, and q
younger, rather slender fellow, with
clipped, black mustache. Both were
unusually well dressed, the latter ex.
ceedingly natty and fashionable in at.
tire, rather overly so, thought, while
the former wore long coat and high
white stock. Inyoluntarily I had placed
them in my mind as river gamblers
but was still observing their move.
ments with some curiosity when Cap.
tain ThrOckmorton crossed the gang.
plank and began ascending the steep
| bluff. The path TO be followed led di.
rectly past where was sitting and
recognizing me, he stopped to ex.
change greetings.
what have you finished your days
work already, lieutenant?" he ex
claimed pleasantly. 'Mine has only
just begun"
| $50 l observe. 1t was garrison tall
last night that the Warrior was to de
part at daylight"
"That was the plan. However, the
Wanderer went north during the
night" he explained, "and brought
mail from below, so we are being helt
for the return letters am going vi
| to the Office now"
My eyes returned to the scene be
low.
you have some passengers aboard.
| "a few; picked up several at the
lead mines, besides those aboard from
Prairie du Chen"
Evidently all Of your passenger.
are not miners, captain" ventured
"Those two standing there at thu
stern, for instance"
He turned and looked. "No," h,
said; shat big man Is Judge Beau
caire, from Missouri. He has plan
tation just above st. Louis, an ole
French grant. OF course you know tn,
younger one"
"Never saw him before"
"Then you have never Travelled
much on the lower river. That's 10
Kirby.
"JOe Kirby?"
Certainly; you must have heard o
him. First time / ever knew of hi
drifting so far north, as there are no
many pickings up here. Have rathe
suspected he might be laying for Beau
caire, but the two haven't touched
card coming down."
"He is q gambler, thenT
| "a thoroughbred; works between
st. Louis and New Orleans. can
just figure out yet what he is doing NJ
here. I asked him fiat out, but he onl.
/ laughed, and he isn't the sort Of mai
you get very friendly with, some sa.
! he has Indian blood in him, so l drop
/ ped it. He and the judge seem prett
thick, and they may be playing in thei
rooms. See you again before w
leave; am going up now to have tall
with the major"
My eyes followed as he disappeare,
within the open gates, squatty
strongly built figure, the blue smok
from his pipe circling in cloud abov
his head. Then turned idly to gaz
| once again down the river and observ
the groups lettering below.
Assuredly 1t was none Of my affair
and yet certain curiosity caused m
to observe the movements Of the tw
so long as they remained on decl
| However, II was but a short while b.
! fore both retired to the cabin, an
then my gaze returned once more
the sullen sweep of water, while m
thoughts drifted far away.
A soldier was within q few feet 9
me and had spoken before was eve
aware of his approach.
Lieutenant Knox"
I looked about quickly, recognizin
the majors orderly.
"Yes, Sanders, what Is it7"
"Major Bliss requests, sir, that 70
report at his Office at once"
Wondering what might be desired {
: me, yet with no conception Of III
: reality, followed after the orderl
through the stockade gate. and acros
the smsh parads ground t0ward II