Jess of the Rebel Trail

lead him away to trial. He felt quite sure that he had killed Jess and that he would be hung for murder. The girl's white face with the bloodstain upon it was ever before him, and he could not shu

stone hit him in

s, so she brought no restful peace to his tumultuous brain. He longed to know what was taking place in the little shack in the forest. Was the girl lying there still in death? Would people know who did the deed? How would they find out? He had read about detectives searching for criminals, and following most unexpected clues. Had he left any trace behind? he wondered. No twinge of conscience troubled his s

at the bow of the boat. He could get nothing from the boy, and in disgust he had left him and ate his breakfast alone. He believed that his son was deeply in love with Jess Randall, and that the presence of John Hampton was the cause of his depression. He imagined that it was but a temporary affection, and nothing would come of it, until he heard of what had happened to the girl. Then a great fear forced

ne," declared one, "I'd show him a thing or two. The idea

"Can't say. Mrs. Dobbins said she was able to si

d he take

ok her to his own home. His mother lives d

if it proved to be his own son how terrible it would be. Even now should suspicion rest upon Eben the quarrymen might prove very troublesome. He, therefore, decided to get away as soon as possible. He did not wish t

ich might be given. Very few words had passed between father and son during the day, and to all outward appearance they seemed like complete strangers. But the captain's mind had been busy upon more than his boat. He felt it was his duty to speak to Eben and find out if he did really throw the s

Then he paused, and l

is it,

's goin' to bl

ll, an' mebb

a slight turn, and ran a

be

d curiously a

r mother'll be

t li

sily, and clutched the w

bad that gal got hurt

e his father a quick loo

d? Ye never to

't ye kn

w wh

hear about that gal who came u

ver hear

his son. Surely, he thought, the bo

in' but you, dad," Eben explain

ink mebbe ye'd thrown that stone. I'm mighty

now nuthin'. Ye d

I thought I spok

ked me if I had heard a

I know jist the same

aw him look at him in such a way before. Had he stormed and raged it would have but increased his defiance. But that look of silent reproach smote his very soul, causing him to cower conscience stricken. Without a word, he left his father's side and went forward. And there he stood with his hands behind his back, staring straight before him. The captain watched him anxiously. His mind was greatly confused

l raise m

Thy grace

in Thy goo

o arrive

h the great Stone of help. I've heard the parson say that's the meanin' of Ebenezer, an

tion he would receive, for he knew how angry his wife would be over his strange action on the up trip. He was at a loss to explain, for he could not bring himself to the extremity of telling a falsehood. He was thinking seriously of this when his wife appear

instant she stepped upon the deck, "w

thin', 'cept I'm mig

me, Sam'l. Ye must be

on your up trip w

had to git the wind when it served. W

. Was there any special reason why ye

. But now it was stern, and her dark eyes were filled with anger as she noted her hu

r seems to have lost his tongue all of

telling the truth. But the thought of the expression upon his father's face when he had t

are afraid or ashamed to speak. Things have come to a pretty pass, Sam'l, when you an' Eben conspire against me

rtha. Ye've done ye

en a good mother

, Martha. Ye done ye

is it that you've trea

set my only s

y to use. I s'pose he knows it's no use to speak, fer if ye won't believe me y

in surprise, for seldom had he ev

thing wrong?" she a

nkin'. We sailed by without stoppin', I acknowledge. But is

idea that she would calm down so soon. Had he made a mistake in always giving in to her? he asked

terrible mess." His wife's

hastened to assure her. "I scrubbed the fl

g before. I'm going to have a look, anyway. No doubt there are

, and down the narrow stairway, clos

the centre of the room and looked critically around. "You sh

comb, but to the captain and his son it appeared more terrible than the most dangerous bomb. They stared as if they had never beheld such a thing before. Mrs. Tobin watched them as she gripped the comb in her hand. Her eyes blazed

its they sounded like the knell of doom. She waited for some response, but none came. "Is it p

ers of his right hand, and then glanced up the stairway. The gleam

accusing finger straight at his face, "I can read you like a book. Y

he captain replied. "Ye wou

this," and Mrs. Tobin ag

so much talk? I've had a hard day, so a

through with you, let me tell you that. You might as well own up first as last ab

in the captain's eyes, and he sh

ssy on board, Martha,"

if ye don't belie

you didn't have a woman on board, wh

d'ye expect me to kee

igh of despair as s

elling the truth,

s,

, miserable hussy o

a, we

ng anything wrong, anythi

ne at the quarry. Mrs. Tobin was now convinced that she was being deceived, and t

s matter, and I need Flo's advice. She's got a level head, and will

eedn't. Yes, I'll go home with ye, fer I guess Flo'll understand, if you don't. Eben, you look after things here. Ye might as well keep the sail up as thar's no wind. If it