Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-05-19
CHAPTER II.
TOM MEETS AN OLD ENEMY


When Tom Scottawoke the following
morning his side was stiff and sore, but
by the time he had dressed and made
his way downstairs he had almost for
gotten the wound in the realization of
the fact that the way had been m;racu-
lousy opened for him to reach the gold
region.
He found the old miner waiting for
him in the smoking-room, and as he
entered the latter arose and greeted
him heartily, saying:
Good morning, Scott. How is the
side to-day? Pretty sore, isn't it? My
headpiece is rather tender, too, from
the clip l got, but they'll both have
time to heal before the voyage is over.
Come on, let's get good square meal
and then we'll go down to the vessel.
hope she'll be ready to sail to-day.
All my stuff's been on board, for a
week now. You'll want few buds, too,
/ dare say, for the trip"
After hearty meal the two men pro-
ceeded to the wharf, and as they
! reached the scene of the previous
| nights struggle the elder man said,
quietly:
TN never forget this place as long
as / live. If those rascals had only
| dreamed whatI carried with me they'd
have finished their bloody work and I'd
have been down there"
AS he spoke he pointed significantly
toward the icy water in the dock and
then added:
THE money was nothing, but"
He broke off suddenly and led the
way in silence until they reached the
vessel, where the captain, a grizzled old
salt, was pacing the deck and urging
the stevedores to greater efforts.
The Seabird was trim built craft of
about GOO tons. The cook was flying
about the deck in his white apron, the
second mate was hard at work below,
and as the two men stepped on board
the captain said. cheerily:
Good morning, Mr.. Avery. We're
about ready, You see. The wind is fair,
and if nothing happens we'll be under
way by dinner time. The mate has
gone back on me and I've sent after
another man."
In u few words the miner Informed
the old seadog of his adventure the pre-
ceding evening, adding:
| This is Mr.. Thomas Scott, who saved
| my life. II it hadn't been for him you'd
have sailed without me, and now you've
got to take him too. He'll pay the same
as I do, and share my stateroom. Is it
a bargain?''
Hes welcome" was the curt reply,
| "as long as he's to bunk in with you.
I've no other spare BERTH"
"Good," exclaimed Avery. "Come on,
Scott, We'll have to hurry up and get
your stuff"
| Toms companion was an old traveller,
and knew exactly what was required
for the voyage, as well as where to OBJ
tain it, and when the tug came along
side at noon our hero had well-flled
chest of clothing below, and stood on
deck watching the operation of getting
under way.
Make that hawser fast Hvely!"
shouted harsh voice near him, and
Tom turned to see short, thickset
man, busting about and cursing the
sailors roundly. His face was turned
away, but there was something famil-
lar in his bearing, and Tom was won
dering at this when Capt, Coffin
| shouted:
Let the men get their dinner while
we are towing down, Mr.. Rider"
AYE, aye, sir"
4 Tom started as if he had been shot.
He saw the mate turn towards the poop
deck as he replied and there was no
installing his features. The red face,
bushy beard and brutal mouth could
belong to none other than Toms old
enemy, Obed Rider, who had brought
the story of Capt. SCOTS flight to Mer-
rivale. If any further proof was need
ed, his broken nose, which added to the
/ responsiveness of his appearance, was
noticeable at the first glance.
AS he caught sight of Tom he stopped
as if rooted to the deck and uttered an
exclamation of amazement, for the rec
ognition was mutual. Then an evil
light blazed in his eyes and he bounded
towards Tom, kissing through his set
i teeth:
How came you aboard this craft?'
i His fists were clenched, but he paused
/ before reaching striking distance, for
four years had developed Tom Scott
from lanky boy into a TALL muscular
man, and the same undaunted spirit
now looked boldly into the others eyes.
The captain and the old miner were
both below at the moment, the former
having gone to his dinner, after giving
his last order, and the chief officer stood
4 glaring at Tom like an enraged animal.
He had been shipped at the last mo-
ment and had no knowledge Of any pas
sengers on board, supposing Tom must
have been engaged as common sailor.
What are you DOM of on that quar-
ter deck?" he demanded, as Tom made
no reply to his first question. whats
the matter with you'll Open your
mouth or I'll open it for you! What
are you doing here?"
"None of your business" replied
Tom, finding his tongue at last.
"I'll make it my business blamed
| quickl" cried the Infatuated officer, his
eyes swapping as he thought of the long
| voyage ahead and his power to take his
revenge tenfold on one under his au-
thority.
Get forward where you belong" he
shouted.
Tom understood now what was pass.
ing In the Others mind, but determined