Evening journal., 1904-05-13
CHAPTER '.


Charlie with the hands. Wilbur in the
captains hammock. The reason for
this change Of quarters had been found
in a peremptory order from Moran
during the dog watch the preceding
evening
She had looked squarely at Wilbur
from under her scowl and had said
briefly and in a fine contralto voice
that he had for the first time not 81:
Il berth aft in the cabin; you and The
Chinaman forward. Understand q
Moran had only forestalled Wilburs
intention, while after her almost
miraculous piece OF seamanship in the
rescue Of the schooner Charlie and the
Chinese crew accorded her a respect
that was almost superstltious.
Wilbur met her again at breakfast
She was still wearing mems clothing
part of Kischelrs outft-and was boot
ed to the knee. but now she wore no
hat, and her enormous name Of rye
colored hair was braided into long
strands near TO the thickness Of a
mans arm. The redness Of her face
gave a startling effect TO her pale blue
eyes and sandy, heavy eyebrows that
easily lowered to a frown She ate
with her knife, and after pushing
away her plate Wilbur observed that
she drank half a tumbler OF whisky
and water.
The conversation between the two
was tame enough. There was no COM
mon ground upon which they could
meet. To her fathers death-no doubt
an old matter ever. before her rescue
she made no allusion. Her attitude TO-
ward Wilbur was one Of defiance and
suspicion Only once did she relax
'How did you come to be aboard
here With these rat eaters? You're no
sailor she said abruptly
"Huh!' laughed Wilbur mlrthlessly.
"Huhl / was snanghaied.'
Moran sHate the table with a red
fist and shouted With sonorous, bell
toned laughter:
"Shnnghaied You? Now. that is
really good And what are you going
TO do now?7
what are you going TO do?"
"Signal the first home bound vessel
and be taken into Frisco. I've my in
surance 70 collect Cwilbur had given
her the Letty's papers) and the disas-
ter TO report"
''Well, I'm not keen on shark hunt
ing myself" said Wilbur. But Moran
showed no interest in his plans.
However. they soon found that they
were not TO be permitted TO signal At
noon the sane day the schooner sight
ed n steam ap's smoke on the horizon
and began t9raise her rapidly. Moran
Immediately bound on the ensign, un-
ion down, and broke II out at the peak.
Charlie, who was at the wheel, spoke
a sentence in Chinese. and one Of the
hands drew his knife across the hal
yards and brought the distress signal
TO the deck Moran turned upon Char
lie with an oath. her brows knotted.
mo. nor sang Charlie. closing his
eyes and 'Vagging his head. "Nol Too
muchee los time; no can stop. You
come down side cabin; you an one
piece boss No. (this was Wilbur have
um chin-cbin."
The odd conclave assembled about
Kltchelrs table-the clubman. the half
masculine girl in mems clothes and the
Chinaman. The conference was an an
cry one, Wilbur and Moran insisting
that they be put aboard the steamship,
Charlie refusing with calm obstnacy.
Il have um chin-chin with China
boys las nigh China boy heap faid
no can stop um steamship: heap faid
TOO much talkee-talkee; no stop; go fish
now; go fish chop-chop; los heap time;
20 fish. / no savvy sail un boat: Chi
ma boy no savvy sail um boat ! tink-
um you savyy (and he pointed to Mo-
ram. tinkum you savvy plenty heap
much disa bay. Boss No. no savvy
sail um boat. but him savvy plenty
many all same"
And we're to stop on board your
dough dish and navigate her for your"
shouted Moran. her face blazing.
Charlie nodded biandly. Il tinkum
yass"
"And when we get back to port" ex-
claimed Wilbur, you think perhaps l.
we won't make it interesting for your"
Charlie smiled.
Il tinkum ship company heap rich"
well, get along" ordered Moran, as
though the schooner was her property,
"and wen talk il over"
China boy lika you heap pretty big"
said Charlie to Moran as he went out.
You savvy sail am boat all light:
wanta you 70 captain. But" he add
ed, suddenly dropping ais bland passiv-
ity as though it were a mask and for
an instant allowing the wicked malevo-
lent Cantonese to come TO the surface.
"Ch,na boy no hkee funnee business.
Savvy| Then, with the smile Of a
Talieyrand, he disappeared.
Moran and Wilbur were helpless for
the present They were but two against
seven Cinnamon. They must stay on
board II the coolies wished It. and if
they were TO stay II was a matter OF
their own personal safety that the Ber-
tiia Aillner should be properly navi-
gated.
"Tn captain her" concluded Moran
sullenly at the end OF their talk. You
must act as mate AIr. Wilbur. And
don't get any mistaken idea into your
head that because I'm young girl and
alone you are going 10 run things your
way. don't like funny business any
better than Charlie"
Look here" said Wilbur. complain
ing. don't think I'm altogether VII
lain. think you're a ripping fine girl
You're different from any kind Of girl
/ ever met. Of course. but You. by i.ago.