Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1937-08-13
CHAPTER 3

From outside came almost carnival
like sounds. Dogs barked. Children
shouted. A raucous voice reared it
self above the other noises:
"Aw-right, folks. Get good nights
sleep. Warm bed and hot tent for
the night, one dollar"
"Where are those beds?" asked
Hammond, as he dropped from the
train.
Fright over there" the spieler
pointed to line of men moving from
the baggage car toward the dull, kero-
sene glow of row of tents which spot
ted the darkness some hundred yards
away through the snow. Fright over
there, Pardner! Have 'em set up in
no time. Good warm bed, folks. Only
a dollar!"'
"Save me one," Hammond COM
manded and turned to raise his pack
sack. In the tangle of activity, he
saw Around the World Annie gestic-
ulating with some fervor as she again
talked to her companion of the after
noon. She was not recognizable in
the shadows; nevertheless, there was
something about her which held the
mans attention. She stood at one
side, ankle deep in snow, her coat pull
ed tight about her slight form-lack
of bulk in her clothing made her seem
almost frail beside the thickly clothed,
wool-swathed persons about her. An
ME waved hand.
"Hey," she called to one Of her new
ly outfitted brood. Bring me that
pack sack!"
The girl lifted her pack sack and
with lolling steps, came forward. A
round the World Annie bent resolutely
failed, loosened her waist with a paw
ing motion of her hands, tried again
and made it. She jerked loose the
straps.
"Here," she said. 'Take these WOOL
les. And this shirt"
The girl bent with outstretched, eag-
er arms to receive them. Her face
came into the meager spread of light |
from the train windows. Jack Ham
mond started. He knew her now-the
stairway leading to his attorneys of
flee, this girl coming unsteadily down
ward, her hand clutched at her throat.
her brown eyes staring.
"Thank you," said the girl in muf-
fled voice. She started to move away.
Around the World Annie whacked her
on the back.
"And don't be sap!" she cautioned
'''Thank you," came again.
Hammond watched her as she went
on, huddled over the burden of good
fortune which she held tight to her.
"Who's that girl?" he asked as An
ME, somewhat belligerent that he had
sighted her generosity, swept past him
and the woman turned.
"Darned if I know" she answer
ed. Then dismissing him, she turned.
"Come on" she called to her waiting
brood. Lets find out where the Ritz
hotel is at around this dump"
Jack Hammond did not see the girl
again for nearly a week. That was
not unusual. Fourcross rapidly had
become madhouse of endeavor-and
of waiting. Mckenzie Joe was the
only person who had gone onward, af-
ter leaving note for Hammond, say
ing that he had changed his mind and
stocked up with a four months sup
ply of food. Then Sergeant Hubert
Terry of the Royal Canadian mounted
police had arrived, holding everyone
until large group could follow Ham
mond's lead into the Stikine.
after ALL" he had said. "You STIR
red up all this turmoil. It's up to
you to see that these people get where
they want to go.'
Now, assisting the sergeant, Ham,
mond was on the rounds of a final
check-up. The trip to the Stikine
was to start in the morning. Fur-trim-
med parka hoods drawn close about
their faces, against the below zero
weather, they slipped and scrambled
along one of the many trails which led
through maze of shacks and tents.
Afternoon was blending into dusk.
"Where to?" asked Hammond.
81 thought I'd drop by and see
Around the World Annie"
Didn't you say you'd checked up on
herr"
The sergeant laughed. He was a
pleasant-featured man with an air of
weathered amiability.
eyes, guess I've got to let her go
in. What's to prevent it? She's not