Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-11-02
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER II.
TOM MEETS AN OLD ENEMY.
When Tom Scott awoke the follow
ing morning his side was stiff and sore,
but by the time he had dressed and
made his way downstairs he had al
most forgotten the wound in the real
ization of the fac that the way had
been ~miraculously 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 today? Pretty sore. isn't 1t? 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 a good square meal
n then Wen go down to the vessel.
/ hope she'll be ready to sail today.
All my stuff's been on board for a
week now. You'll want a few buds, too,
/ dare say, for the trip"
After a hearty meal the two men pro-
ceeded to the wharf, n as they
reached the scene of the previous
nights struggle the elder man said,
quietly:
"Ill never forget this place as long
as l live. If those rascals had only
uIGdIltu WHAT Il CdTTlcu Nlln lie lICy u
have finished their bloody work n I'd
have been down there"
AS he spoke he pointed significantly
toward the icy water In the dock II
then added:
The money was nothing, but"
He broke of suddenly and led the
way in silence until they reachd the
vessel, where the captain. a grizzled old
salt, was pacing the deck and urging
the s~tevedores to greater efforts.
The Seabird was q trim built craft OF
about 800 tons. The coo 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 II 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 a 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 II 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 l do, and share my stateroom. Is 1t
q bargain?"
ne - WtltOIIle, WAS the CuTl reply,
'as long as he's to bunk with you.
I've no other spare berth"
Good" exclaimed Avery. "Come on,
Scott, Wen nave 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 1T, and when the tug came along
side at Don our hero had a well-flled
chest Of clothing below, and stood on
deck watching the operation of getting
under way.
Make that hawser fast llvely!"
shouted a harsh voice near him, and
Tom turned to see a short, thickset
man, bustling 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 Captain 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
mistaking 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 Captain SCOTS flight to
Merrivale. If any further proof was
needed, 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
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 striking distance, for
four years had developed Tom Scott
from a lanky boy into a tall, muscular
man, and the same undaunted spirit
now looked boldly into the others eyes.
The captain n 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-
and had no knowledge of any pas
sengers on board, supposing Tom must
been enga ged as a common sailor.
What are you dom OF on thai quar-
ter deck?" he demanded, as Tom made
reply to his first question. Whats
the matter with you! Open your mouth
or I'll open 1t for you! What are you
doing heree?"
None of your business" replied
Tom, finding his tongue at last.
"Ill make 1t my business blamed
quick!" cried the Infatuated officer, his
eyes swapping as he thought of the long
ahead and his power to take his
tenfold on one under his au-
Get forward where you belong" he
Tom understood now what was pass
ing in the others mind, but determined
to undeceive the mate In order that
the truth might be all the more crush
Ing when made known.
at won't stir a peg for you, Obed
Rider" he replied. "and If you are not
I will make your face look
worse than / did when 7 was q boy.
What bad luck brought you here II
know, but / warn you to keep
from mel"
The expression on the mates face
was fairly hendish as he snatched an
iron Delaying pin from the fife rail
and rushed at Tom, crying:
You won't stir, EN-! Curse you, I'll
show you the difference between afoat
and ashore!"
But his blow was arrested in mid air
by an iron grip about his wrist and the
weapon was torn from his hand in
He found himself pressed
against the mizzenmast with q force
that nearly took his breath away, while
Tom said, sternly:
Don't try that with me again or I'll
pitch you overheard"
AS he spoke III released the mate,