Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-12-25
CHAPTER KILL

CHAPTER XIII.
The time glided on, and Humphrey al
ways knew when his captor was at sea,
for the severity of his imprisonment was
then most felt. The lieutenant, Mazzard,
was always left in charge OF the place,
but Bart remained behind by the cap
tain's orders. and at these times Hum
phrey was sternly ordered to keep to his
prison.
Dinny came and went, but, try him how
he would, Humphrey could get nothing
from him for days and days.
The tide turned at last.
''Well sor." said Dinny one morning,
"I'ye been thinking 1t over a great dale.
/ don't like desarting the captain, who
has been like brother to me; but there's
Misthress Greenheys, and loves a won
derful excuse for a many things"
More days passed. and every stroll out
side his prison had to be taken by Hum
phrey with Bart as close to him as his
shadow.
Dinny kept away again. and the plan
to escape might as well have never been
uttered.
Bart always went well armed with his
prisoner, and seemed unusually suspi-
cious, as IL fearing an attempt at escape.
Dinny's little widow came no more and
the hours grew so irksome with the con-
fnement consequent upon the captains
absence that Bart longed for his return.
One morning Bart's manner showed
that something had occurred. His sour
face wore smile, and he was evidently
greatly relieved OF his responsibility as
he said to the prisoner;
There, you can go out"
HAS the captain returnedW
Bart delivered himself of a short nod.
"Tell him | wish to see him. Bid him
come here"
"What! the skipper? You mean, ask
him il may take you to him, and he'll
see you"
II said, Tell your skipper to come
hereF said Humphrey. drawing himself
up as IL he were on the quarterback
'"Tell him l wish to- see him at once"
Bart drew a long breath. Then, smll.
ing grimly, he slowly left the place.
The buccaneer, who looked anxious and
dspirited, was listening to some com
plant made by his lieutenant. and angry
words were passing which made Bart
as he heard them hasten his steps, Ind
look sharply from one to the other as he
entered.
Black Mazzard scowled, his face being
villainous without.
WELL" he said aloud, 'I've warned
you'll" and he strobe out OF the old cham
Der which formed the captains quarters.
you two been quarrelingT' said Bart,
sharply.
The dogs insolence Is worse than
ever" cried the captain, with flashing
eyes. Bart, | don't want to shed the
blood of the man who has been my Off
Ger, but"
Let someone else bleed him." growled
Bart. "Dick would; Dinny would give
anything to DO 1t. We're bout tired of
him. should like the job myself"
silence" said the captain, sternly.
mo, speak; tell me, what has been going
on since I've been away?"
BLACK Mazzard?"
The captain nodded
Half the time he's spent in the south
ruins preaching to the men,"
'PreachingT
Eyes, with you for text. Just In his
old way: but I've been too busy with the
prisoner. He wants you'll!
The buccaneer sprang to his feet.
He wants me-he has sent for me?'
he cried, eagerly.
you'll go?"
Eyes. Perhaps he has something to
say in answer to an offer / made"
IAN offeri"
''Yes, Bart, to join us, and be one OF
my lieutenants."
Join US, and be your lieutenantT' cried
Bart.
Yes, my friend. like him for the
sake of his old generous ways. and like
him for his present manliness."
"You--like himI'
Eyes. 1t is not impossible, Is it, thai
should like to have friend?"
"Friendf"
yes" said the captain, sternly: IAN
other friend! Don't stare, man. and thinl
of the past. Mary Dell died, and Abe
Dell still liyes-Commodore Junk, seek
ing to take vengeance upon those wht
cut that young life short"
'Look here" said Bart, who gaspe,
as he listened TO his companions wild ut
terances; ARE you going madY
''No, Bart; am as sane as you"
"But. you said"
''What | choose to say. man. Let M
believe all that II | like. Do you sup
pose | do not want some shield agains
the stings of my own thoughts? | choos
to think all that and it shall be So Yo
shall think 1t too. am Commodore Junk
and II wish this man to be my friend
and he consents. II shall be sou
Humphrey was beginning to feel tn
thrill of returning strength In his vein,
and II brought with it his old indeper
dence of spirit aud the memory that h
a ...sI 10. l.
sode with Bart that morning had rouse
him a little. and prepared him for hI
encounter with the buccaneer captain
upon whom he felt he was about to col
Ter a favor.