The Wilmington morning star., 1940-06-12
CHAPTER -THIRTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER THIRTY-ElGHI
"You won't have to take any
more risks" I told my friendly
taller. the little cook. "In be able
to get off this barge at the next
landing without your help"
"And without the police?"
Fright. I'm going to ask one Of
the men to 60 ashore with me-
(which one?" asked the cook
suspiciously.
"We.ell, that big fellow didn't
seem to be busy with the potatoes.
He doesn't look like a regular
member of the crew. How about
him? You wouldn't be afraid to let
me go in his custody, wuold your
The little mans eyes were wide.
..D-don't trust Bill. Don't go ashore
with him!"
$50 his name is Bill, eh?
thought so. He wouldn't be Will
liam Gala, would he?'
The cook was frightened. "Sh!'
He went to the galley door and
looked out to make sure no one
was listening. How did you guess
that?" he asked, coming back.
1--WE thought you couldn't recog-
nize him."
His size gave him away. And
since he's William Gala 1 know
he'll be glad of the chance to go
ashore with me in the dark. He'll
think it will be a good chance to
finish the job he started"
you've SUR got plenty OF
nerve"
"Iu have the advantage. I'll
know my danger, and he won't
know that l know"
The rumble of the hand trucks
below us had ceased. There was a
scraping and a humping as the
eangplank was pulled aboard.
Pete shouted to someone to cast
off the mooring rope. The gasoline
engine of the barge came to life.
We were on our way to Big Bend.
No one came up to the galley.
Perhaps they felt uneasy IN my
presence. 1 wouldn't blame them.
How did this outfit get mixed
up with Calla?" I asked. you've
already told me you don't go for
murder"
Hes a friend of Pete's," the lit
tie cook told me. II think Pete
owes him some money or some
thing. Bill asked for a ride to
Frisco tonight. We didn't k o w
about him tying that old rowboat
to our stern. He used a long rope
and we didn't see it in the fog.
Jack heard you holler and pulled
you in. We sure were surprised"
$50 was Mr.. Gala, I imagine" I
said.
He thought he could get away
with it. When you told us the name
of the man who tied you in that
boat"
You think he hoped you would
never know"
II think after that rowboat sank
he was going to cut the rope"
And that's t e kind of man
you're trying to protect"
I'm not protecting him. I just
don't like the idea of turning him
over to you-and your friends. How
do I know what he had against
you? 1t musta been something bad,
or he wouldn't try to kill you"
"You probably think he's just a
bootlegger."
"sa-ay, how much do you
know"
"Whatever I know about Mr..
Calls liquor business, and the
part this barge plays in it, I'm
willing to forget" I said. Hes in
a much worse game, and I believe
he's in It alone"
I left the little man speeches.
and walked to the galley door
again. I looked down the ladder.
Four cigarets glowed in the shad.
ows below. I climbed down.
IT want to see if I can find a
way to get back to the city from
Big Bend" 1 announced. would
sny of you fellows have time to
show me how to reach a ranch
house when we get there?"
"Sure, I'll show you," volun.
teered Bill.
His voice was disguised, but J
recognized it.
The crew stirred uneasily. There
were several whispered comments
not quite loud enough for me tt
overhear.
How long will you be stopping?'
I asked. How long will I have t.