The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-05-21
CAPTAIN JIM'S C0URTSHIP
1879 BY A. E. RICE, Portland .s.s.s.s

bread knife" She took a knife from
a small cupboard near the stove and
offered it to him. He grasped it, say
ing, "thetll do" He glanced at it's
carving dimensions, tested its stiffness
and felt its edge, but his agitated
mind was evidently incapable of de-
termining it's formidable character.
Barbara suggested the use of an UNI
brella. What fer?" asked Jim.
why, to skeer them cats away" re-
piled the surprised child. open it
sudden like, an they'll jest scamper
off, worse than whipped monkeys"
"Peers sort o. possible" reflective
ly remarked Captain Jim. give me the
umbrella" Barbara handed him an
old umbrella, and asked If he didn't
want something to tie about his
neck. adding ominously, them cats
most allus do go fer a feller's Jug
lar"
Jim laid the knife and pistol down
on the floor, and proceeded to examine
the umbrella. saying, Eyes, reckon
you be right Barb I shud a-think So"
With the remark. "I'll git somethin."
Barbara tripped lightly into the bed
room and quickly returned with one
of mas old colored walking skirts
you jest wrap this bout yer neck
an I'll hold the lamp"
Captain Jim wrapped the skirt
about his neck, much as he would
large muffler, and feeling some con-
fidence in his armor he said, Barb,
| you WIS born smart, you wus."
Barbara grasped the lamp and impa-
tiently remarked. "Air you ready? Oh,
| forgot them things must be pulled
away" She replaced the lamp on the
floor and removed the chairs and table,
piled against the door.
Jim gripped the knife between his
teeth, held the umbrella with his left
hand, and pistol with his right, then
said quietly, 81 be ready"
At that moment ma looked out from
the bedroom. The sight of Captain
Jim in his war paint sent her back
with screams of laughter.
Barbara angrily shouted to ma. 'if
you don't stop that you'll scare them
cats away"
Jim looked at the child aghast.
Damned if the gal amt a-thinkin' it
be picnic"
Barbara having pushed the barri-
cade away again picked up the lamp.
Now" said she, now, when l open
the door you jest bounce right in there
like bolt O. lightnin. Come closer"
Jim began to realize his danger. 1t
must be remembered that he acted
from conscientious motives. It had
not occurred to him that he encounter
ed any but wild animals in the wood
she'd
Barbara's ridicule seemed to him
the very essence of innocence, and it
had the effect of making him very de-
termined to drive the animals away.
He was also urged on by the secret de-
sire to be regarded by Annie as a hero.
yet now, at the moment he is about to
carry out his determination, a quail
ing feeling came over him, for he said
softly and quite seriously to himself
don't reckon tibet l dass tackle them
fr-ocious critters with them weapons
alone"
The child heard him and stared at
him. what, air you skeert already"
said she astonished.
Captain Jim returned the child's
stare for a moment, then pulled his
hat down over his eyebrows. He
bumped his back and bowed his head
low for a rush. Count three, Barb,
| be a-goin' tew do or die fer Annie.
shud a-think So"
Barbara seized the door knob with
her right hand, then slowly said, zone,
two. three, co." and pushed open the
door.
Jim rushed into the shed. spreading
the umbrella and discharging the pis-
toll right through it, and yelling in the
most frantic manner
When Barbara suddenly pushed
open the door, an thrush of wind blew
out the light Gracious" said she.
1.-The lamps blow'd out. Whew. it's
cold. I'll jest git a match" and so
saying, she reached out and pulled
the door shut.
Finding himself in sudden darkness,
Jim backed up against the outer wall
and then holding the umbrella in
front of him. as a shield, ducked his
head under it for protection. and
yelled scat" at every thrust of his
knife. which he made first on one
side. then on the other as fast as pos
sible.
In the meantime. while Barbara
leisurely lit the lamp, ma came out of
the bedroom and asked if Captain Jim
was frightened
81 speck' he is" answered the child
anyway he's a-hollerin' like creased
pig what's bein' ketched. Harken tew
him."
Bring out the light. zap, yap!"
yelled Jim, as he stabbed the air with
the bread knife.
Barbara answered, "Ps comm, you
old hen"
BE you a-goin' to be all night aeon
IMP" again called Jim from the shed.
Scat. zap, yap!"
Barbara opened the door slowly and
entered the shed. "Pshaw. Their 'aint
nuthin' here" she said.
Ma had followed the child to the
door, and on seeing Captain Jim's rid
Jealous position, sank on a chair near