The Oklahoma miner. [volume] (Krebs, Okla.) 1912-192?, 1920-04-01
CHAPTER XII.
nv Friend. the peputy Sheriff.

or the current, sweeping about the
steamers stern, l struck out with all
the strength of my arms, anxious to at
tain I'm that first effort the greatest
possible distance. ! came painting up
to breathe, my face lifted barely above
the surface, dashing the water from
my eyes, and casting one swift glance
backward toward the landing. Great
volumes of black smoke swept forth
from the tunnels and my ears could
distinguish the CeaseleSs hiss Of steam.
Again permitted my body to sink into
the depths, swimming onward with
easier stroke, satisfied l had not been
seen.
l swan slowly ashore, creeping up
the low bank into the SeclusIon Of a
shallow, sandy gully, scooped out by
the late rains. Immediately about me
all was silent. the steadily deepening
gloom rendering my surroundings
vaguely indiStinct
Thus far I possessed no plan-ex-
Cept to seek her. would venture for
ward, rather blindly trusting that good
fortune might direct my steps Alright.
I would have to discover first Of all,
where Kirby had taken Elolse-into
whose hands he had deposited the girl
for safekeeping. This task ought not
to be difficult. The settlement was
small, and the camp itself not a large
one; no such party could hope to en-
ter Its confines without attracting at
tentiOn, and causing comment. Once
l had thus succeeded In locating her,
the rest ought to prove comparatively
eaSy-a mere matter Of action. For l
had determined to play the spy no
longer; TO cease being a mere shadow.
l proposed finding Eloise, and telling
her the whole truth; following that,
and assured Of her support l would
defy Kirby, deuounce him If necessary
TO the military authorities, identifying
myself by means Of my army commits
sion, and insist on the immediate re-
lease Of the girl The man had broken
no law-unless the wanton killing Of
Shrunk could be proven against him
and l might not be able to compel his
T arrest. Whatever he suspected now
/ relative 10 his prisoner, he had orig
/ inaily supposed her to be his slave, his
/ property, and hence possessed q right
/ now under the law to restrain her lib
/ erty. But even if I was debarred from
/ bringing the man to punishment, I
could break his power, and oyerturn
/ his plans. Beyond that 1t would be a
/ personal matter between US; and the
/ thought gave me JOY
l attained my feet, confident and at
case, and advanced up the gully, NOV
ing cautiously, so as not to run blind
| ly upon some sentry post in the dark
ness. There would be nervous sol
dlers on duty, liable TO fire at any
sound, or suspicious movement, and ii
was part of my plan to penetrate the
lines unseen. and without inviting ar
rest. l was standing uncertain, when
the dim figure of a man, unquestona-
bly, drunk, came weaving his uncertain
way along a footpath which ran with
in a yard of my position. The sudden
blazing up of Il fire revealed the un-
mistakable features Of the deputy.
'Hullo," I said, happily, stepping d.
rectly before him. "When did you
come ashore?"
Hello, yerself" he managed to
calculate thickly. "Who are yeri
frien' O. mineT
"Why, don't yer remember me, oil
MANI We wus talkin' tergether comm
up. l wus goIn' fer ter enlist"
H! yes; glad ter see yer. Sum
hot whisky ct this camp-tried eny?"
NO" l answered, grasping at the
opportunity TO arouse his generosity
Il amt got no coin to buy. I'm flat
: broke; maybe yer cud stake me fer 4
bite ter eat7"
"Eatl' he flung one arm lovingly
about my shoulders, and burst into
i laughter. yer bet yer life, we're 4
. Coin' ter eat, an drink too. don't e
back on none O. ther boys. Yer never
heerd nuthln' like thet bout Tim Ken
nedy I reckon. Eat, sure-yer know
, Jack Rale?"
"Never heerd the name"
what, never heerd o. Jack Rale
, or river man, half hoss, half alligator
, uster tend bar In Saint Louee. He's
up yere now, a sellin' forty-rod ter so
, jers. Cum up long with him frun
Beardstown. Frien' O. mine. Yer JUS
cum long with me-thas all"