The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1897-09-18

RULE OF THREE.
H3 E e: I #

ut would be a rest" said Miss Will
Jams. coaxingly.
The men not seeing things in quite
the same light, the girls announced
their intention of having nothing more
to do with them, and crowding together
in the bows beneath two or three blan-
kets consoled tearfully with each other
on their misfortunes.
Looking at all the circumstances of
the case, the Captain thought it best to
keep the wheel in his own hands for a
time, and dawn found him still at his
post.
Three dispirited girls put their heads
out from their blankets and shifted dis
painfully. Then. after an animated dis
cusson, they arose, walked up to the
skipper, and eyed him unfavorably
Why. he isn't any bigger than a
boy" said Miss Williams, savagely
PITY we didn't think of it before"
said Miss Davies. Il s'pose the crew
won't help him"
Not they" said Miss Evans. scorn-
fully. IF they do, Wen serve them the
same"
They went off, leaving the skipper
prey to gathering uneasiness, watching
their movements with wrinkled brow.
From the forecastle and the galley they
procured two mops and a broom, and
he caught his breath sharply as Miss
Evans came on deck with a pot of
white paint in one hand and pot of
tar in the other.
"Now. girlsr' said Miss Evans.
=
skipper, in a peremptory voice.
"Sha'n'ty' said Miss Evans, bluntly;
and with mops dripping tar and paint
on the deck they marched in military
style up to the skipper and halted in
front of him, smiling wickedly.
The heart of the skipper waxed sore
faint within him, and with a wild yell
he summoned his trusty crew to his
side.
casting furtive glances at the scene,
pushed Ephraim Biddle to the front.
Take those mops away from 'em,"
SAID the skipper haughtlly.
Don't you interfere" said Miss
Evans looking at them over her shout
der
elise We'll give you some," said Miss
Williams bloodthirstily
Take those mops away from emf
| bawled the skipper, instinctively draw
ing back as Miss Evans made pass at
him.
81 don't see as 'ow we can interfere
sir" said Biddle with deep respect
"Whatu' said the astonished skipper
interfere with people," said Biddle,
turning to his mates; clear ag'in' the
lor"
Don't you talk rubbish" said the
skipper anxiously Take 'em away
from 'em. It's my tar and my paint
and"
"You shall have it," said Miss Evans
reassuringly.
If we touched EN-" said Biddle i'm
pressively, ltd be an assault at lor.
All we can do, sir, is to stand by and
see fair play
Fair play" cried the skipper, dane
ing with rage, and, turning hastily to
the mate, who had Just come on the
scene. Take those things away from
'em, Jack"
I'm not goin' to raise my hand
against a woman for anybody" said
the mate with decision. Its no part of
my work to get messed up with tar
and paint from lady passengers"
Its part of your work to obey me
though" said the skipper, raising his
voice. what are you afraid OFF,
Are you going to take US back?' de
manded Jenny Evans.
run away" said the skipper with
dignity. Run away"
II shall ask you three times" sai6
Miss Evans sternly. "One-are you go
ing back? Two-are you going back
Three
In the midst of a breathless silence
she drew within striking distance
while her allies, taking up a position
on either flank of the enemy, listened
attentively to the instruction of thei
leader.
''Be careful he doesn't catch hold O.
the mops," said Miss Evans, "but if h'
does the others are to hit him over tn,
head with the handles. Never mtnt
about hurting him."
''Take this wheel a minnit, Jack
said the skipper, pale but determined
/ The mate came forward and took /
: unwillingly, and the skipper, tryini
2 hard to conceal his trepidation, Wake.
toward Miss Evans and tried to quel