Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-01-02


the remainder Of the provisions on
board and prepare at once 10 take on
men,"
take on msn1 We are not to return
south. thenT
"No; you're going In the other difec-
tiou--up the Rock. You better get
busy"
He wheeled his horse and disap-
peared. leaving the angry captain
venting his displeasure on tho vacant
air. Kirby, evidently from some posi-
ton across the deck, broke in with
sharp question.
"what Is that. Corcoranf Did the
fellow say you were not going back to
st. Louisr'
"That's just what he anid- We've
got to nose our way up Rock river.
with lot Of those measly soldiers
aboard. Here you. Mapes, stop that
unloading. and get steam up-weve
got to put In a night Of It."
"But," insisted Kirby In disgust.
SIN not going up there; aren't there
any boats going downr
"How the h should I know? Go
ashore and find out--you haven't any
thing else TO do"
The men below knocked of work
willingly enough and, taking advan-
tage Of the confusion on board, I en-
deavored TO creep up the stairs and
gain view Of the upper deck. But
both Mapes and the second mate made
this attempt impossible, forcing mo
into the ranks Of the others and COM
polling me TO restow the cargo. So Tar
as could perceive, no attempt to de-
part was made by anyone, excepting
a big fellow with red mustache, who
swore profanely as he struggled
through the mud, dragging Q huge
valise.
The situation puzzled and confused
me. What choice would Kirby and the
deputy make? If once up Rock river
the Adventurer might very likely not
return for weeks. and II did not seem
to me possible that the impatient gam.
bier would consent to such q delay.
Every advance northward brought
with It q new danger Of ex-
posure. These were Illinois troops
to be transported-not regulars,
but militia, gathered from hundred
hamlets-and many among them would
be open enemies Of slavery. Let such
men as these. rough with the pioneer
sense of justice, once suspect the STU
alton of those two women, especially
If the rumor got abroad among them
that Eloise was white, and the slave
hunter would have hard row to hoe.
And made MP my mind such rumor
should be sown broadcast; aye, more,
that If the necessity arose, would
throw of my own disguise and front
him openly with tho charge. I could
do no more.
1t was only an accident which gave
me clue to the real program. Mapes
sent me back into the vacant space
just forward Of the psddle-whsel. seek
! Ing lost canthook, and, as / turned
| about to return, tie missing tool IN my
! hand, / paused a moment to glance
curiously out through slit In the
boats planking. attracted by the sound
| Of a loud voice uttering command.
I was facing the shore and body OF
| men, ununformed. slouching along
| with small regard to order but each
bearing rife across his shoulder,
| were just tipping the ridge and pillow.
Ing their way down through the slip.
perry clay IN the direction Of the for.
ward gansway. Although ssw, not
for an instant did my eass ltng~ On
their disordered ranks. The dSht
which held me motionless was rather
that Of a long, broad plank. protected
on either side by rope rail-. stretch
| ing from the slope Of the second deck
across the narrow gulf Of water. until
It rested Its other end firmly against
the bank.
The meaning Of this was sufficiently
apparent. For some reason OF his
own, Kirby had evidently chosen this
means Of attaining the shore, and
through personal friendship, Corcoran
had consented to aid his purpose. The
reason, plainly enough. was that by use
of this stern gangway the landing par
ty would be enabled to attain the bank
without the necessity OF pushing their
way through the crowd Of Idle louns.
ers forward. And the passage bad 1use
been accomplished, for, as my eyes 10
cussed tho scene. they recognizes The
spare figure Of the deputy disappear
ing over the crest-a vague glimpse,
but sufficient. At the same instant
hands above began to draw in the
plank. F~t ~
There was but ons thing For Dasato
do, one action to take-follow them.
Dropping the canthook, / turned AZ
and crept forth through q smali open
ing onto the wooden frame which sup
ported the motioniess paddlewhsel'
choosing for the scene Of operations
the river side, where the boat effective
" concealed my movements from any
prylng eyes ashora l lowered myself
the full length Of my arms. danslina
there IN instant by clinginS to the
framewosl, then toosened my grp and
dropped silently into the rushing va
tors beaeath. t
l. (To Be continued.)
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