The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-06-23
CHAPTER II.
TOM MEETS AN OLD ENEMY.

When Tom Scott awoke 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 mracu-
lousy opened for him to reach he gold
region.
lie 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
neadpiece is rather tender. too from
the clip | got, but they'll both have
lime 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.
Al my stvT's been on board for a
week now. You'll want few buds, too,
care say. Tor the trip"
.,:;,r. .earty meal the two men pro-
CseG,J - the wharf. and as they
reached the scene of the previous
nights struggle the elder man said,
quietly:
"Ill never forget this place as long
as | live. II those rascals had only
dreamed what carried with me they'd
have finished their bloody work and I'd
have been down there"
As he spoke he pointed significantly
towabl the icy water in the dock aud
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, grizzled old
salt, was pacing the deck and urging
the stevedores to greater efforts.
The Seabrd was trim built craft of
about COO 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 well be under
way 10y dinner time. The mate has
gone back on me and I've sent after
another man"
In 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. If il hadn't been for him you'd
have sailed without me. and now you We
got TO take him too. He'll pay the same
as ! do. and share my stateroom. Is il
a bargGin?"
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 stun"
Toms companion was an old traveller,
and knew exactly what was required
for the voyage, as well as where to OBJ
tain il, and when the tug came along
side at noon our hero had a well-flled
chest of clothing below, and stood on
deck watching the operation of getting
under wav.
MAKE that hawser fast nveIy!
shouted a 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 lis 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"
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. Scott's fight 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 declIand uttered an
exclamation of amazement, for the rec
oguition was mutual. Then an evil
light blazed in his eyes and he bounded
towards Tom, Kissing through his set
teeth:
How came you aboard this craft?'
His fists were clenched. but he paused
before reaching stirling distance. for
four years had developed Tom Scott
from lanky boy into a tall, muscular
man, and the same undnunted 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
glazing 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 a common sailor
what are you doin' Of on that quar-
ter deck?" he demanded, as Tom made
no reply to his first question, What's
the matter with you! Open your
mouth or I'll open it for you'll What
are you doing here?"