Daily camera., 1901-09-04

ana ! tnlak thN f&veQ NY NE tO1 u
struck Hands across the chest, md
stopped him. for the moment, dead.
Before he could recover was safe
out Of the corner where he had trapped
me, with all the deck to dodge about
Just forward Of the mainmast /
topped. drew pistol from my pocket,
drew cool aim, though he had already
turned and was once more coming H-
rectly after me, and drew the trigger.
The hummer fell, but there followed
neither fash nor sound; the priming
was useless with seawater. cursed
myself for my neglect. Why had not
I. long before, reprimed and reloaded
my only weapon? Then ! should not
have been, as now, . mere fleeing sheep
before this butcher.
Wounded as he was, II was wonderful
how fast he could move, his grizxied
hair tumbling over his face. and his
face itself a. red AZ a red ensign
with his haste and fury. had no
time to try my other pistol, nor, In
deed, much inclination, for was sure
It was useless. One thing I saw plAin-
ly; I must not simply retreat before
him. or he would speedily hold me
boxed In the bows, as moment since
he had SO nearly boxed me In the stern.
Once SO caught, and nine or ten inches
Of the blood-stained dirk would be
my last experience on this side Of eter-
nifty. placed my palms against the
mainmast. which was u a goodish big
ness, and waited, every nerve upon the
stretch.
Seeing that I meant to dodge. he also
paused, and q moment or two passed In
feints on his part, and corresponding
movements upon mine. 1t was such .
game as l had often played at home
about the rocks OF Black Hill cove;
but never before, YOU may be sure,
with such a wildly beating heart ~
now. Still. as I say. 1t was a boyr
game. end thought / could hold my
own at II against an elderly seaman
with . wounded thigh. Indeed. my
courage had begun to rise 80 high that
I allowed myself few darting thoughts
on what would be the end Of the affair;
and while I saw certainly that could
spin II out for long, saw no hope ID
any ultimate escape.
Well. while things stood thus, sud-
denly the "Hispaniola" struck. stag
gered. ground for IN instant In the
sand. and then. swift as blow. can
tered over to the port side, till the deck
stood at an angle Of IS degrees, and
about = puncheon Of water splashed
into the scupper-holes, and lay in a
pool between the deck and bulwark.
We were both Of US capsized in q sec
ond. and both Of US rolled, almost to-
gether. into the scuppers, the dead red
cap. with his arms still spread out,
tumbling stiffly after US. 30 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 arst afoOt again. for Hands
had 60. involved with the dead body
The sudden canung Of the ship had
made the deck no place for running
on; l had to find some new way Of e.
cape, and that upon the instant. for
my foe was almost touching me.
Quick az thought sprang into the
mizzen shrouds, ratified up hand over
hand, and did not draw q breath till
/ was seated on the cross-trees.
l had been saved by being prompt;
the dirk had struck not half foot be-
low me. as pcrsued my upward fight;
and there stood Israel Hands with his
mouth open and face upturned TO mine,
q perfect statue Of surprise and cissp-
pointment.
Now that I had q moment to my
self, I lost no time In changing the
printing Of my pistol. and then. having
one ready for service, and to make AZ
surance doubly sure. proceeded 10
draw the load OF the other and re-
charge it afresh from the beginning.
Ny 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 l had quietly An-
ished my arrangements before he wal
much more than third Of the way up
Then. with a pistol in either hand.
addressed him.
''One more step, Mr.. Hands," said l.
and I'll blow your brains out! Dead
men don't bite. you know" added,
with chuckle.
He stopped instantly. ! could see BY
the workings OF his face that he VA
trying to think. and the process wal
20 slow and laborious that. in my new.
found security. laughed aloud. Al
last, with q swallow or two. he spoke,
his face stll 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 be ~.
mained unmovcd.
"Jim." says he. " reckon we'rs
fouled, you and me. and ws'u have to
Il 3 7; ;,All