The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-11-09

fully: "1'm a cheap guy. I might
risk it once--ior five hundred thou
sand, cash. Butts that's rock bot
tom; l wouldn't take a nickel less
Doret had been listening with some
now he said, you boys
got wide pay-streak, ell"
Bridges nodded without shame.
wider n swamp, and yeller n
butter" ssh, ...
"Wal. l see wat l can do" The
pilot walked up the bank in search
of crew. ........
In the course of half-hour he
was back again and with him came
the Countess Courteau. Calling
Pierce aside, the woman said, swift
ly: 1--WE can't get soul to help us:
everybody's in rush. Wen have
to use our own men,"
BROAD and Bridges are the best
we have he told her. but they re-
fuse" .lf e '-. ..,
You're not afraid, arc your"
Now Pierce was afraid and he
longed nightly to admit that he was,
but he lacked the courage to do SO.
He smiled feebly and shrugged,
whcreupon the former speaker mis-
read his apparent indifference and
flashed him smile.
'Forgive me-" she said, in a low
voice. Il know you're not" She
hurried down TO the waters edge
and addressed the two gamblers in
a business-like tone: We've no
time to lose. Which one Of you
wants to lead of with Doret and
Pierce?"
The men exchanged giances. 1t
was Broad who finally spoke. I'VE
been figuring it would please US bet
ter to walk" he said. mildly.
Suit yourselves" the Countess
told them, coolly. "But its a long
walk from here to Dawson" She
turned back to Pierce and said:
you've seen the canon. There's
nothing SO terrible about it, is
there?' .
Phillips was conscious that Pol
con Doret's eyes we're dancing with
laughter, and anger at his own
weakness fared up in him. why,
mo-" lie, lied, bravely. ut will be a
lot of fun t.r
Kid Bridges leveled sour look
at the speaker. Some folks have
got low ideas of entertainment
said he. Some folks is absolutely
depraced that way. You'll probably
enjoy broken arm-it would feel
so good when it got we'll"
The Countess Courteau's lip was
curled oontemptuously when she
said: Listen! I'm not going to
be held up. There's chance. OF
course. but hundreds have gone
through. l Can pull All oar. Pierce
and will row the first boat"
Doret opened his lips to protest,
but Broad Cbviated the necessity OF
speech by rising from his seat anu
announcing: Deal the cards! !
came in ON no pair: don't aim to
be raised out ahead of the draw
not by woman"
: Mr.. Bridges was both shocked and
aggrieved BY his companions words.
"'You going to tackle it," he asked.
incredulously. 49, "
Lucky made erimace of intense
in Pierce's direction.
Sure! 1 don't want to miss all this
fun / hear about. a. .,,-
when you.get through. if you do.
which. you probably won't" Bridges
told him, with e bleak and cherries
"set a gill-net 10 catch
me. I'll be down on the next "trip"
Good for you!' cried tn.
Couness. ,>u. ,.,~o
1T. amt good for me-" the man
angrily. ITS the worst
hing in the. world for me. I'm
Notwithstanding and you know it.
Sos Lucky, but there wouldn't be
any living with him if he pulled it
of and I didn't"
>Doret chucklcd. To Pierce he
said. in a low voice: PLENTY teller
max fool of demse'f on dat woman.
| know all bout it. But she amt
max fool of herself, you bet"
"How do you mean?' Pierce in
CURED. quickly.
'Poleon eyed him shrewdly. well,
tak' you. You're scare, amt you?
But you sooner die so long she don't
know it. Plenty oder Teller jus'lak
iat." He walked 70 the nearest
skiff, removed his coat. and began to
unite his boots. 80
Lucky Broad joined the pilot, then
looked on uneasily at these prepare
lions. What's the idea?' he in
auired. Are you too hot?"
i 'Poleon grinned at him and nod
led. Very, reluctantly Broad
stripped Of his mackinaw, then
heated himself and tugged at his
footgear. He paused. after a mo-
nent. and addressed himself to
Bridges,
'''lts no use. Kid. squawk!" he
aid
Beginning to weaken, chr"
Sure! got a hole in my sock
look! Somebody II find me after
I've been drowned a week or two.
md what II they say?"
Above the tumult 'Poleon was
urging his crew to greater efforts.
Pull hardw he shouted. Hi! Hi!
Hi" He swayed in unison to their
bodies. MAX dose oar
crack" he yelled. by Gar, dat's
goin' some" -.
The fellows teeth were cleaning.
his face was alight with an exultant
recklessness. he cast defiance at the
approaching terrors. He was alert
watchfu1; under his hands the stout
ash, ,.steeFing-oar bent, like = bow /:
he flung his whole strength into the
battle with the waters Soon the roar
until it drowned his shouts
and forced him to pantomime his
orders. The boat, was galloping
through aa 2 wild = smother hs Of ice.sa :1a
we're streaming past like the unroll-
ng scenery on . painted canvas
IS y FL.;t 81