Willmar tribune., 1898-05-17
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PART V.
CHAPTER XXVI.-CoNT1NUED.

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We were both of us capsized in sec
ond, and both of us rolled, almost to-
gether, into the scuppers, the dead red
cap, with his arms still spread out,
tumbling stifHy after US. So near were
we, indeed, that my head came against
the cockswain's foot with crack that
made my teeth rattle. Blow and all,
I was the first afoot again, for Hands
had got involved with the dead body.
The sudden canting of the ship had
made the deck no place for running
on; had to find some new way of es-
cape, and that upon the instant, for
my foe was almost touching me.
Quick as thought I sprang into the
mizzen shrouds, ratified up hand over
hand, and did not draw a breath till
was seated on the cross-trees.
I had been saved by being prompt; !;
the dirk had struck not half foot be-
low me, as pursued my upward flight :;
and there stood Israel Hands with his
mouth open and face upturned to mine,
perfect statue of surprise and Gisap-
pointment.
Now that had moment to my
self, [ lost no time in changing the
priming of my pistol, and then, having
one veady for service, and to make as
surance doubly sure, proceeded to
draw the load of the other and re-
charge it afresh from the beginning.
My new employment struck Hands
all Of heap; he began to see the dice
going against him; and after an OBJ
vious hesitation, he again hauled him
self heavily into the shrouds, and, with
dirk in his teeth, began slowly and pain
fully to mount. 1t cost him no end
of time and groans to haul his wounded
leg behind him, and I had quietly fin
ished my arrangements before he was
much more than third of the way up.
Then, with pistol in either hand,
addressed him.
'One more step, Mr.. Hands," said I,
'and I'll blow your brains out! Dead
me1 don't bite, you know" I added,
with chuckle.
He stopped instantly. could see by
the workings of his face that he was
trying to think, and the process was
so slow and laborious that, in my new
found security, I laughed aloud. At
last, with swallow or two, he spoke,
his face still wearing the same express
sion of extreme perplexity. In order
to speak he had to take the dagger
from his mouth, but in all else he re-
manned unmoved.
"Jim," says he, II reckon we're
fouled, you and me, and We'll have to
sign articles. I'd have had you but for
that there lurch; but don't have no
luck, not ]: and reckon I'll have to
strike, which comes hard, you see, for
d master mariner to ships younker
like you, Jim.''
was drinking in his words and smil-
Ing away, as conceited as a cock upon
walk, when, all in breath, back went
his right hand over his shoulder. Some
thing sung like an arrow through the
air, I felt a blow and then a sharp
pang, and there I was pinned by the
shoulder to the mast. In the horrid
pain and surprise of the moment-I
scarce can say it was by my own voli-
ton, and I am sure it was without
conscious aim-both finy pistols went
off, and both escaped out of my hands.
They did not fall alone; with choked
cry the cockswain loosed his grasp upon
the shrouds and plunged head first into
the water.