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About The Bend bulletin. (Bend, Or.) 1903-1931 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 1919)
IM ! MEND nUM.KTIN, HKNI), OREGON, THURSDAY, DKCtiMIIKK 11. 1019 The OMrftlOHT ArtfCUtKOjCSX CHAPTER X. " J ' !"Tj5s i of Rene Tlirro wan the. echo of an oath, a harsh, cnul . laugh,, the crash of IiianKins. n wrnnpe. iiau-iiuinnn try j of (rlRhffrom the ncKro that was air. ' k. KgvOnKlf The suuden-viuience- or tuo mow must 0KnmnB instantly the shell of our have hurled' hW high Into the air, fori wroekwl Boat, u Was all awash, a I struck the water clear of both noatr. Krvnt holo tove ln fs j,,u, Wcll for nnd so far out In the stream that wnn) nm, 0 flU(M, wllh wntPr tho when I camp -main strupsllnff to the mWw, wolpht ,)f my 00(y would hnvo Mirface I was In the full sweep of tho ,unk u nstanty. Yet the thine re current, mraliut which I had to struR ,. t,Homt onouch to float, and pie flnprtflviy. In the brief second . - t,un(. to lw stcrni Umnkfu, ovcn for inni iniervoiicu ociweon um miuhi ; of warning and tho cmsh of the two bouts' F had 'seen almost nothing only that black, menacing hulk, loom ing up between us and the Shore, more like n shadow than a reality. Yet now, lighting to' keep my head above water and not, to he swept away. I was ablo to realize instantly what had occurred. I had been mistaken; Klrby had not tied down the river; Instead ho had craftily walled this chance to attaek us at a disadvantage. Convinced thut wo would decide to make use of the rowboat.. which "he had left uninjured for. that very purpose, and that we' would venture forth Just sn sKn as the night became dark enough, he had hidden tho stolen craft in some covert along shore to await our" coming. Then- he sijrnng on us, ns the tiger Kprlngs n his prey. He had calcu lated wcll, for the blunt prow of the speeding Jscclbo.it had struck us j-quarely. crushing In the sides of our frail craft and dinging me headlong. What hnd been the fate of the others I crAild not for the moment de termine. ..true darkness shadowed ev erything, the bulk of the keclboat alone .appearing in the distance, and that shapelcssly outlined. The craft . bore no ifght, and hadlt not been for n voice speaking I-doubt If I could have located even that. The rowboat could: liot .be distinguished it must have sunken, or ejse drifted away, u helpless: wreck The first sound my ears.causlit. echoing across tho water, was 4an.;oath. ,and a question: "Ily l..a good Job; do you see that fel low anywhere?" "Now," the reponse a mere growl, "lie's a goner, I reckon ; never knowed whut hit him. Jedgln' from the way he upended It." 'Wellf'thon he Isn't likely to bother us any "more. Suppose he was tho white man?" "Sure he wus; It wus the' nigger who wns up ahead. We hit him, on he dropped in 'tween ther boats, an' .-cnt down like a stone. He norer yeeped but Just onct, when I furst gripped ther girl. I don't reckon as sho wus hurt et all ; leastwise I never aimed fer tor hurt her none." "Has she sajd anything?" "Not a d d twitter; maybe shs fainted. J dunno, but that's ther way females do. What shall I do with the bird, Klrby?" "Oh. hold on to her there nwhllu, long ns she's quiet. I'm going to try the steam again, and get outside into the big river. n , man, but till hnsn'tboon such a bad night's wont." Tho'rtfaim began to slsz, settling swiftly Into a rhythmic chugging, ns the revolving wheel began to churr up thV water astern. Confident of hflng Ki'fojy hidden by the darkness, I neriidtteil the current tn .hear me dowriwanf, my muscles aching pain lully Mnn the Ktruggle, and witli no tncr thought ln my mind except to keep well out of sight of the occu Hants of tho boar. To be perceived by htm",aiid overtaken In the water meant certain death, while If they con tinued to believe that I had actually sunk beneath the Mirface, some fu ture carelessness on their part might yield me un unexpected opportunity to serve Itene. The few words overheard hnd 'made Mifliclently plain the situ ation. IVor- Ham hnd already found freedom in death, crushed between tho two colliding boats, but the girl lyid been grot-jieil in time and hauled unin jured aboard (he heavier craft. This hnd been I he object of the attack to pnln possession o'f her. Very evidently I had not been seen closely enough to lie recognized by Klrby. In a meas ure this afforded me u decided ndvan tuge, 'provided we ever encountered ouch other again and I meant that we'th&ufd. The account between us was ity'f, closed by this incident; far from it. . There in that black water, struggling to keep ufloat, while being swept eslsllessly nut into the river, vMtlr-nb' immediate object before mo except to remain concealed by tho vMl or darkness, I resolved solemnly to'n.j'ioU? t,hnt this affair should never end until it was ended right. In that moment of decision I cared not at all for Ilene Ilcaucalre's drop of negro blood, nor for tho fact that she was a slave: in her muster's hands. To my nilml sho was hut a woman, a sweet, livable, girlish woman In the unre strained power of n brute, and depend ent alone on mo for rescue. Tlmt was enough; I cared for nothing more. ..M'lili(!llent strokes I waited patient ly until the hteady chugging of the en pImm (tutt- faint; In the distance, utitl th(;n liiiHlly ceased entirely, Uncertain .which wa to, turn. and Devil's Own. ABO? ifceBlctcfc Hawk War conscious of n strnnRC lassitude, 1 mnrie no striiRRlo to reach land, but permitted myself to be borne down ward in the grin of tho water. Sud denly somethlni; drifted against my body, a black-, llbdclhicd object, toss ,nK bout on lnc 8We of ,ho wnve un(, inHtnctlvcly I Rrnspod at it, rec g slight help "m WM for f a,. though I became aware that tho sweep of the current was steadily bearing us farther out toward the center of the broad stream, and soon felt convinced that escape from my predicament would be Impossible until nfter day light. The struggle to keep afloat was ho longer necessnry, and my head sank ln relief on the. hands gripping at tho boat's stern, while we tloated si lently on through the black mystery. Suddenly the wrecked boat's bow grated against something Immovable; then became tlxed, the stern swinging slowly about, until It also cnught. and I could feel the full volume of down pouring water against my body. Tho bltmlly floating boat had drifted upon a snng, seemingly the major por tion of a tree, now held by some spit of sand. I struggled vainly in an at tempt to release the grip which held us, but the force of the current had securely wedged the boat's bow be neath u limb, a hare leafless tentacle, mnklng all my efforts useless. I found a submerged branch on which to stand, gripped the boat desperately to prevent being swept away, and waited for the dawn. It scorned it long while coming, nnd never did man gaze on a more dlMual, ghastly scene than was revealed to me by those first gray gleams dimly showing In the far east. All about stretched utter desolation; wherever my eyes turned the vista was the same a wide stretch of restless brown water surging and leaping pat. bound ed by low-lying shores, forlorn nnd de serted. How far I had aimlessly drift ed downstream during the night was a mere matter of conjecture. I pos sessed no knowledge of where I wns. Kach bank of the river appeared about equally bare and desolate, entirely de void of promise. However, I chose' tho west shore for my experiment, as the current seemed iesi strong In that direction, and was about to plunge In, determined to fight a way across, when my eyes suddenly detected n faint .wreath of smoke curling up Into the pale sky above a headland far to the southward. As I stared at tills it became black and distinct, tossed about In the wind. I watched Intent ly, clinging to my siipiort, scarcely trusting my eyesight, wlillo that first wisp deepened into a cloud, advanc ing slowly toward me. There was no longer doubt of what It wns unques tionably some steamer was pushing Its course upstream. Kven before my. ears could detect tho far-off chug of the engine the boat Itself rounded the sharp point of the headland nnd came forth Into full view, heading out toward the middle nt the river In u searcli for deeper water. It wus an unusually large steamboat for those days, n lower river packet, I guessed, with two funnels painted yellow and u high pilot house sur mounted by a huge brazen eagle. At first, approaching me, bow on. I could perceive hut little of its dimensions, nor gain clear view of tho decks, hut when It veered slightly theso were re vealed, nnd I had a glimpse of a few figures grouped forward, the great wheel astern splashing the wnter, and between, n long row of windows re fleeting the glare of the early sun. Even as I gazed at this vision a flug crept up tho slender stalT at the bow nnd reaching the top rippled out in tho crisp breeze. A moment later I deciphered the lettering across the white front of the pilot house Adven turer of Memphis. JndlfiCerout at that moment as to where the approaching boat might he bound, pr my reception on board; de sirous only of Immediate escape from my unfortunuto predicament, I man aged to remove my sodden coat and furiously wave It in the air as a sig nal. At first there was no response, no evidence that I had even been seen; then slowly, deliberately, the steamer changed Its course nnd came Straight up the river, struggling against tho full strength of the cur rent. I could see a man step from out tho pilot house onto the upper for ward deck, lean out over tho rail and speak to the others below, pointing townrd me across the water. A half dozen grouped themselves ut tho bow, ready for action, thejr figures growing more sharply defined U3 tho struggling craft approached. The man above stood shading his eyes with one liuud and gesticulating with the other. Finally tho sound of his voice reached me. I "Hey! ypu out there I If you can uwltn Jump for It. I'm not going to Vim" iiito rnnlVnng," 1 measured tho dlstnnce between us with my eye nnd leaped na far out ns possible, striking out wllh lusty strokes Tho wwlft current swung mo about like a chip, nnd swept mo down ward In spite of every struggle. I wns squarely nbreast of tho boat, al ready caught ln her suction, nnd be ing drawn straight In townrd her wheel, when the looped end of u Hying noose struck my shoulder. "Keep your head, Indl" roared out n hoarse voice. "Hang on now, an' we'll get yer." It was such a rush, such a breath less, desperate struggle I can scarcely recall the details. All I really remem ber is that I gripped tho rope and clung; wns dragged tinder ngulit and again; wns Hung against the steamer's side, seemingly losing nil conscious ness, yet dimly realizing that ou stretched hands grasped me and lifted me up by main strength to the nar row footway, dropping mn there In tho pool of wnter ooalng from my "Yes, He's All Right, 8lr; Just a Bit Groggy.1 clothes. Someone spoke, lifting my head oh his nrm, in answer to u hall from above. "Yes. he's s all right, Mr; Just n hit groggy. What'll we do with him?" "Itrlug him along up to llalnos' cabin and get him the old suit In my room. You might warm him up with n drink tlrst. You tend to It, Mapes." The liquor I drank out of a bottle burnt like lire but brought me new strength, so tlmt with Stapes' help I got to my feet and stared about nt the group of faces surrounding us. They were those of typical river men, two negroes and three whites, ragged, dirty nnd disreputable. .Mapes was so bushlly boarded that about all I could perceive of his face was the eyes, yet these were Intelligent, nnd I Instantly picked him out as being tho pinto. "How" long yer njl bin roostln' on thet snag?" ho questioned, evidently somewhat amused. "Dcru mc. stranger, If I ever see 'thet sorter thing done afore." "I wns caught there last night," I answered, unwilling to say muro. "llnat got snagged in the dark and went down." "I.lvo around ye re, I reckon?" "No; Just floating. Came down the Illinois. Where is this steamer bound?" "II I nlone knows," dryly. "Yellcr Hunks furst, cnyhow; we're loaded with supplies." "Supplies J For Yellow Hunks?" In surprise. "Why, what's going on there? J!y friend, there aren't ten families within a hundred miles of that place." Mapes laughed, his mouth opening like n red gush, exhibiting n row of yellow fangs. "Xo, I reckon not; but thor's n h 1 ov a lot o' fellers thnr whut nln't fam ilies but kin eat. Didn't yer know, pardner, t liar's n right smart war on; thet tho Illlnoy militia is called out, an' Is a-mnrchln' now fer Yeller IJnnks? They're liable fer t':r be thar too nforo ever this d n scow makes it, If wo hnve ter slop an pick eny more blame fools outer the river. Come on. let's go up." "Wait n minute. This Is nn Indian war? Hlack Hawk has broken loose?" "Sure; raised particular li I. Wo heerd down et St. Iinee he'd killed 'bout a hundred whites, an' burned sum ov 'em ther ol' devil." "And where Is lie now?" "Dunno; never wus tip In yer afore. Wo bin munli.' 'tween SL I.oueo un New Orleans, till thegov'nent took U3. Maybe the captain kin tell yer sumwhar up Rock river, I reckon, wharever that Is," We climbed the steep steps to the. upper deck, and were met nt the head of the ladder by tho captain, evidently desirous of looking mo over, le was a solidly built individual, wearing white side whiskers and n bulbous nose, and confronted me not alto gether pleasantly. "All right, are you? Wnter pretty cold yet, I reckon. Ilecn sticking nn that snag long?" "Several hours; but my boat woh wrecked before we lodged there," The captain la'ughed and winked aside at tins mate. "Seems to ho a mighty populous, river up this wuy, hey, Mnpes?" ho remarked genially. "Castaways round every .bend." "What do you mean? Hnvo you picked up others?" "Certainly have. Hit a kcelhoat twenty miles below." "A kcelhoat operated by steam?'' "Couldn't say us to that. Was 'it, Mapes? The, craft bud gone down when I got on deck. Had four aboard, but We got 'em all off nn' stowed 'em back there In (he iexns. You better get 'ulon now and shuck those wet -. cloflies.1 The captain turned rather Khnrply away", anil 1 VasTnrtfsl'm.'O.iKh'Tru open cnbtn door by tho grasp of (ho mate before I could really senso w truo meaning of tlds unexpected news, MapcN paused long enough to gnitlly Indicate iv coarse suit of clothes draped over a stool, and win about to retire without further words when 1 recovered sutllclently from tho shock to halt htm with a question: "I supposo you saw lliose pi'oplo picked lip from tho keelbont?" "Sure; helped pull 'em aboard. A d si queer combination, If you "A Quter Combination, If You Ak Mc." ask mc; two nigger wenrheg, Joo Klrby an' a deputy sheriff from down St. Loueo way." "Two women,, you sny? Uoth ne gresses?" "Well, thct's whut Joe said they wus, an' I reckon he knew. However, one ov 'em looked or. white ns euyhody I ever suw. The deputy he tol' ther same story sed they wus both slaves thet Klrby got from un ol' plantation down below; some French name, It wus. Seems like the two wenches bed run away, an' the deputy tied caught 'em, nn' wus n-taklng 'em buck. Klrby cum 'long ter help, beln' its how they belonged ter him." "You knew Klrby, then?". "11 I, ov course. Thar nln't many river men who don't, I reckon. Whut Is it tn you?" "Nothing; It sounds like n strange story, that's nil. I want to get Hits wet stuff off, and will be out on deck presently." (To Uu Continued.) Cut Till Out It Is Worth Money. Don't miss this. Cut out this slip enclose with fie to Foley & Co., !83r. Sheffield Ave., Chicago, III., wrlttlug your, name nnd address clearly. You.wlll recolvo In return a trial package containing Foloy'u Honey and, Tar Compound. for coughs, colds nnd croup. Fnloy.'s Kidney Pills nnd Foley's Cnthnrttc Tablets. Sold Kverywhoro uilr. ALWAYS A At Palace Market Bend, Oregon for Eggs, Butter, Poultry Beef, Veal, Pork Sell your products at home i Chas. Boyd BRICK vs. 1 BRICK BUILDINGS IN BEND VALUE ABOUT $500,000 . FIRE LOSS IN FIVE YEARS NONE PcTi11 BEND BRICK! BUCKHfiCHT BLACK OUNMETAU JIAIIOOANY CALF OH ND1AN TAN CALP the HucKim iir Army v f r man'i ihoc ! Worn by men tu all wniki of life Jr stall ttmei, In allcllmcj, A ihoe hulk for unuiiul coin fort and extra cr Ice. At Jtlnld Jfitfii un the I'Klric Cnirt. If tmir tlcilrr.lt nut niip!iJ. mitt diim fmtit M.mif.cturers BUCKINGHAM & HECI4T Smi l-rnclico UTILITIES SHOW SLIGHT ADVANCE STATEMENT GIVEN BY TAX COMMISSION ,pNii Honed Valuation- Indlrato lllg lnrroao, llul Actual Vnlii atlou- lleoal .Much Smaller I'eiteiilngo of (Join department In yents come Friday night, when on the r:oottiiniiiiilutlnti or I). O. Mcl'horsnu. .chairman of the Police committee, tho position of night olllcor. held by F. I.. Kulp. was declared vacant by Muyor Hastes uf Nr a unanimous vote of Instruction by the council. To replace the former with tho apportioned values of I Old. show a Jump from $410,131 60, to 16 IT.. tort. 02. When these amounts are kIvhii In terms of actual asaessod valuation, from which they wore orl clnally computed, thu lucrense Is not so noticeable, as tho apportionment In 19 IS wus made on n l" per cent latlo. while ail advaiicu of 12 per rent was allowed (his ).r by the rommlHslnn. I'loparoi tor lux lion, Comparison shows tho Orocou Trunk railway with an asse-titod value Of J5Sr..r.OO In lOlS. and fGgft.OOO for this year, the O.-W. It. & N. mil road with I18K..1R8 last, your and 20 1, 28 1.37 now, and tho Itmid Water Light & Power Co . tho other chief taxpayer of the public utilities. Having the Largest Line of Used Furniture in licud vu are in a position to make you some very attractive offerings. Almost Anything You Want If you arc tfpinjj to have a NEW, RANGE this year, first considerable Monarch Range ..:... Featuring the Duplex Draft We.also Buy See Us first Standard Furniture Co. H OTHER BUILDINGS OTHER BUILDINGS--- VALUE ABOUT $2,000,000 FIRE LOSS IN FIVE YEARS OVER $100,000 BRICK & LUMBER CO. MOB M From toe to hl Slum It etfv Inch (let a tulr totUyl with ttlfi.OOO In 1118 and $130,257 In 10 IK. The Aiiiurlrnti llxpress Co. a year ago was fU.f-ll " against an assessed vttliiu of $2,783.11 to day, and tho Desehulos Power Co., Iwhelli In tllfl was $17,3 11. Is now $17,388. Thu Dosrhutos Mutual Telephone Co.. at $3,1.18 In 1018, In $3,r.28 this year, tho Farmers' National Telephone Co.. $1,080 a year ago, Is $1,120 on tho new list, and tho Ln Pino A Houthurn Tele phone & Telegraph Co., Is tho samo now as a year ago, $110 Tho Pacllo Telephone and Telegraph Co., has . advanced from $ 18.fi 18 ! $22,010, Mr. Mullarky Is now engaged In dividing (ho different apportioned ulues iiinoiii: the districts of tho county, ami exports ti'bo able to giro a very close approximation or tho lav mid mllhigo which will be paid in the city or Hand, within thu nmt row dijjfs. ( ft K tV J Our Grocery I Prices Are Right 5 At AH Times- Try Us and be ? Convinced THE A TO Z GROCERY : Used Furniture before buying Oregon t