The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1919-11-06
cHApTER VIII.
The Dawn Of Deeper Interest.

D.
The Dawn Of Deeper Interest.
II tested his skill as a boatman TO
locate the exact spot sought amid that
gloom, yet he finally attained to IT
closely enough so i was able to get
ashore, wading nearly thigh deep In
the boat. which Z had provisioned ear
Iler In the evening, had disappeared
from its moorings. No trace of 1t
could be found In the darkness, al
though I devoted several minutes to
the search. To my mind this was pos
tive evidence that Pete had returned,
accompanied by the two frightened
women, and that, finally despairing of
my arrival. had departed with them up
the river. In all probability we would
overhaul the party before morning,
certainly before they could attain the
mouth Of the Illinois. | made my way
back to the keelboat with this infor-
nation, and the laboring engine began
TO ching even while I was briefly ex-
planning the situation to Rene. She
listened almost YEARLY, asking but
few questions. and both of us soon
lapscd Into silence. A little later she
had piiiowed ner head on her arms
and apparently had fallen asleep.
I must have dozed myself MS the
hours passed, although hardly aware
OF doing SO. 1t was faint and dim. a
promise more than a realization of ap-
preaching day. yet already sufficient TO
afford me view OF the shore at our
right and to reveal the outlines of n
sharp point OF land ahead jutting into
the stream. The mist rising from Off
tine water In vaporous clouds obscured
all else, rendering the scene weird and
unfamiliar. 1t was indeed a desolate
view. the nearby land low. and with
flowed, and the river itself sullen and
angry. Only that distant point ap-
peared clearly defined and real. with
the slowly Frightening sky beyond. /
andeavored to arous myself from stu
por, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
Rene had changed her posture. but
still siumbered. with face completely
concealed In her arms; but Sam was
wide awake and turned toward me
grinning. Mt my first movement. In
stinctively I liked the fellow--he mp
penred both intelligent and trust
worthy.
Daylight. Is itr' / said. speaking
low 20 as not to awaken the girl. II
must have been asleep"
"Yas, sab; yer's bin a-noddin' fer
de las hour. All wus bout ter stir yer
up. sab, fer All reckon as how we's
mos dar."
Most where?" staring about incred-
ulously. "Oh. yes. Rassuer creek.
Have we made that distance already"
"Wal, we's bin a-goin' ct a mighty
xood gait. sab. She amt done fooled
none on me all dis night" his hand
laid lovingly On the engine. sNepi-r
Sicked up no row o. no kind-just
chug. chuE, chug right long. Pears
like she sorter know'd dis niger he'd
Ger git away. Enyhow, we Din movin'
long now right smart fer bout tour
hours, an Iassuer creek am just
round dat pint ~yonder--Ah's mighty
sure OBJ dat, sah."
He vas right. but 1t was broad day
light when W. reached there, the east
*:rn sky a glorious crimson. and the
girl sitting up staring ut the brilliant
eoloring as though 1t pictured 10 her
the opening of u new world. The pas
sage OF a few hundred yards revealed
rhe mouth Of Rassuer creek. a narrow
out sluggish stream. so crooked and
-ncroached upon by the woods as to
be practically invisible from the CEN
ter of the river. The water was not
deep, vet fortunately proved sufi-
~lently * for q purpose, although
we were obliged TO both pole and
saddle the bout upward against the
slow current. and Il required All hour
of hard labor to plnce the craft safely
beyond the first bend. where 1t might
lie roughly concealed BY the interview
sns <rfnKs IF trees. Here We made
fast to the bank.
4 assisted Rene ashore, and aided
her to climb % q higher level. carpeted
win grass. The broad river was in
visible, but we could look directly
down upon the boat, where Sam was
already busily rummaging through the
lockers In search of something to eat.
lie came ashore presently. bearing
uosns cors, pcre and 2 soodly portion