Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-01-18
CHAPTER If.
TOM MEETS AN OLD ENEMY.


morning his side was stiff and sore. but
by the time he had dressed and made
mis- way downstairs he had almost for
gotten the wound i'm the realization OF
the fact that thc way had been miracu-
lousy opened for him % reach the gold
region.
lie found the old miner waiting for
him an tie smoking groom, and aS he
entered the latter arose AID greeted
him heartily, saying:
Good morning. Scott. How is the
side to-day? Pretty sore, isE'tit? My
headpiece is rather tender. too. from
the clip / got. but they'll both have
time to heal before the voyage is over.
Come on. lets get a good square meal
and then well go down TO the vessel.
l hope she'll be ready To sail today
All my stufr's been on board for
week now. You'll want a few duds too.
l 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:
I'll 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
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 COO tons. The cook was flying
about the deck i'm 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 falr
and if nothing happens Wen be under
way by dinner time. The mate has
gone back on me and I've sent after
another man
In a few words the miner Informed
the old seadog of his adventure the pre-
ceding evening. adding:
This is Mr. Thomas Scott who saved
NY life. II it hadn't been for him you'd
have sailed without ne, and now you've
got to take him too. He'll pay the same
as 1 do and share my statcroom. Is il
a BARGAIN
Hes welcome" was the curt reply,
las long as he's 10 bunk in with you.
I've no other spare berth"
Good, exclaimed Avery. "Cone on.
Scott, Wei 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 a well-filled
chest of clothing below. and stood on
deck watching the operation of getting
under way.
MAKE that hawser fast lively"
shouted a harsh voice near him. and
Tom turned to see short. thickset
man. busting about and cLrSirg the
sailors roundly. His face vas turned
away but there was somcth'ag famil-
lar in his bearing. and Tom was won
eering at this when Ca. Coffin
shouted:
Let the men get their G.a.cr while
we are towing down Mr.. Lidtr."
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
nistalling his features. The red face,
sushy 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-
rvale. 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 il rooted TO the deck and uttered an
exclamation Of amazement, for the rec
ignition 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 clcnched. but he paused
before reaching striking distance for
four years had developed Tom Scott
from lauky boy into a tall, muscular
man, and the same undauutcd 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
lis last order, and the chief officer stood
glaring NJ Tom like AN enrugcd animal.
lie had been shipped at The last mo.
nent and had no knowledge OF any pas
sengers on board. >uppOSing Tom must
have been engaged as a common sailor
"What arc You dom 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 il for You! VIVA,
are you doing here -
None of your business" replied
Tom, finding his tongue at last
A