The Washington times., 1902-12-15
A SECRET OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC.
,ANOvH OF MUTNY AND MYSTERY-By W BERT FOSTER
BY w. BERT FOSTER.

tain Latimer, while Sydney turned her
back upon him.
Thorne was furious.
This is no time for mincing mat
ters." he said. harshly. That fellow
has been supplied all through the voy-
age with drink by Atwell. tell you
he has gone to warn him Of your plans
now"
Either you are fool or am one. %
cried the captain. tartiy.
Thank you" responded the younger
man. We have held different opinions
on that point right along. and by the
looks OF things now I believe you will
be proved the fool But. enough OF this.
tell you he has gone to speak with At
well. l call on you to go With me and
prove or disDrove my statement
He led the way TO the deck. Captain
Latimer and the mate followed him.
AS they made their appearance one
Of the sailors uttered a thrill whistle.
The next instant Monckton came out OF
the forecastle. Captain Latimer's eyes
blazed as he strobe forward
What are you doing here?" he de-
manded. pushing Thorne aside and look
ing at monekton searchingly. Go aft.
sir. and keep away from the sailors
quarters"
Then he descended Into the forecastIe.
Thorne and Sessions close upon his
heels. The place was deserted save for
Sam Atwell, who reclined In a berth.
Get out O. here. you lazy lout!" roar
ed Latimer rs this a time for man
to be lying sbed? You go up. too. Mr..
! Sessions. and send Tonic here to me. "
/ Atwell got up slowly and moved hest
tatingly toward the entrance.
Stir your stumps!" said the exas-
/ perated little mate.
Atwell was almost twice his size, but
Sessions had enough pluck for half 4
/ dozen men. and more muscle than
/ Thorne would have imagined from his
| appearance. He seized the sailor by the
! collar and slack OF his trousers and ac-
/ tuRlly pitched him forward on his hands
| and knees
Get up on deck there." he exclaimed
and followed his command with a sound
| kick. which added very much to the &C.
lerity with which the fellow obeyed.
Grim as the situation was, Thornt
laughed.
Ordinarily don't approve OF an on
Ger striking a man aboard ship re-
marked Captain Latimer. with a peculiar
smile. but Il ever a chap needed a first
class licking that Sam Atweil does"
Tonic came down 10 them in a minute
'Yank every living thing out Of thes,
] ka I NJ n 81 -
every mans kit. II there's liquor here
II have IT,.
''Jessop says it's not kept in the fore
! castle" remarked Thorne. mildly.
Yes: that's because he don't want Il
found, likely"
ThOrne saw that there was no use try
ing to break down quarterde preju-
dice. so he stood by in silence and
watched 'TOniO's fruitless search.
It's no use. Masss Latimer." declar-
ed the cook. Deere amt no whisky
| hyar. Use s'arched eberyting."
Captain Latimer led the retreat to tn,
deck in gloomy silence. AS they came
out Of the forecsstle his eyes rested on
a scene amidships which brought an ex-
clamation Of dismay to his lips. Bach
to back against the mainmast stood tho
mates. Sessions and Pepper. the former
with a drawn revolver, the latter holding
a pump brake aloft In his brawny hands
The sailors we're grouped about IN,
pump and AtWell was talking loudly.
Tom Shields. the Englishman, ~as al
I the wheel and JessOp stood lcside hin
| leaning on the rail- his back to the seen,
| as though II had not the slightest inter
est for him. But while Captain Latimel
and the cook stared at this ThOrnes gaz,
was attracted by something entirely diff
ferent. Rolling up from the south wal
a looking mass Of cloud. It's up
per edge OF a strange copper hue. Il
WIS bearing directly for the brig anC
driving the sea In kissing white wav,
! before II.
| WILL BE CONTINUED TOMORROW AMI
EVERY WEEK DAY UNTIL COMPLETED.