Jess of the Rebel Trail

andy haired. He wore a dark-brown sweater, and a pair of overalls, baggy at the knees. He did not speak as his father approached, but mechanically handed up to him a jug of m

I've jist been scrubbin' an' don'

's voice caused Eben t

e they are, what's the difference? The cabin

increased as he yanked

t I say goes. Yer not goin' down into that cabin to-

ever before had he seen his father so agitate

tand?" the c

stand

wn in that cabin. Isn'

are ye

eyes, and with an effort he shook

n it?" he

fool questions. We'll eat an' sleep on deck to-night, up forrad.

a few seconds in an absent-minded manner. Then, without a word, he picked up the jug of molasses and strode up forward. The captain gazed after him in astonishment, greatly wondering what had com

he captain lacon

and," and the

what was

ly. I'm

t boy did more'n stir me up. Guess he's cooled down now, though I'm mighty surprise

is trouble," the girl acknowled

ome clothes fer the night, an' a snack of grub fer Eben. He's mighty fond of his stummick, that bo

in of his favourite clay pipe. It was a beautiful night, and not a breath of wind ruffled the surface of the river. The captain was thinking seriously, as he was greatly puzzled what to do with the girl who had thrust herself so unceremoniously upon him. He could not put her ashore, that was quite evident, and he knew that he could not keep her presence a secret from Eben for any length of time. And then there was Martha. What would she and Flo say when th

rf not far away. Several men alighted, and from their actions the captain could tell that they were very much excited. Then more autos arrived, until about twenty men were standing upon the wharf and the road. He wondered what they wanted, and what had brought them there at such an early hour. When, however, he saw them rowing from the shore in several flat-bottom boats, the meaning of the commotion flashed upon his mind. They were searching for the missing girl, believing t

ising odour of coffee greeted his nostrils, and he heard something sizzling in the frying-pan. Just then the girl glanced up, and a bright smile o

eeted. "Come in; break

jaculated as he descended the stairs.

e up early?" the girl questioned, wh

us manner. "But I wasn't lookin' upon you as a cook, fer I

this coffee. I have learned a few things, so am not altogether useless. Cooking i

le side-table. His breakfast was already before him, but he would not touch it until the girl was ready for hers. He no

he complimented. "I never expe

th your cook now?" th

ct of lifting his cup of coffee to his l

ugh you acted tha

still. I'm not satisfied while them felle

ame into the girl's eyes, and sh

iver for my bod

y fer 'em to be doin' sich a thing while you are safe an' sound in this cabin. Thar's something uncanny about i

"Don't say a word. If they think I'm drowned, all

hat am I to do, then? I can't stay here an' see them poor fellers doi

are the ones I believe they are, you needn't worry about them

warned, as the girl stood, on one of the steps and cautiously

xplained. "It's only a short distance off. Go on deck qu

as making a fool of himself. But while she was on his boat, and under his care, no one was going to molest her. He

d you see a young woman drifting

he captain asked, a

boat last night? She has disappeare

nd here in a boat last night," the captain repl

ar and a woman's hat. The hat belonged to Miss Randall, and as she is miss

ous. Why would she wa

wanted her to marry a man she had no use for.

horeward. "Wonder why he isn't helpin' to search fer his

d Something-or-Other's son, an' wouldn't think of associating with such common cusses as us. He belongs to the upper-crust,

yer lookin' fer is Mi

big lumber merchant

he is; his on

y that?" and the captain

dn't. But, there, we must get back to work. We just dropped alongside, thinking y

s around here she done the

the wharf, and the boat which was found drifting in South Bay be

ed. "I s'pose her pa an' ma are about crazy over

other, well--" He paused, pulled a plug of tobacco out of his pocket, and bit off a chew. Then he

riment. He was smiling when he returned to the cabin. The girl there was sm

e?" she asked

on't like this bizness one bit. It's a mighty spooky affair

replied. "But under the circumstances I can'

ryin' that Lor

h that is n

n here soon, I'm sartin, if I don't head him off. Thar's nuthin' like grub to hold that boy in

or me?" the girl asked. "I w

tains, but would want many things extry. I s'pose ye'll order a hull outfit of table linen, a set of

ely with what you have here. I only need something for myself, as I

fer as I'm consarned.

l think if they

how kind you have been to an unfortunate girl. When I s

t feel so sure. Anyway, I s'pose it can't be helped now. Jist have yer l