The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-06-17

boz and cleared the day before yester-
day, but we were foolish enough to
leave the boat with no one aboard but
the crew., n they had quietly va
moosed."
That was a fool trick on our part"
said l, nightly interested. so you've
put in the last two days on that is
land!"
"Yes-eating c%ocoanuts and fish"
But how about the loot?" l asked.
"Oh, that's coming. / had the pleas
ure of watching your people kindly
ernoon. We didn't take the trouble,
as there seemed no way of getting it
off"
Things began to clear up, although
that didn't make me feel any happier.
Then it was you fellows that swiped
the boat and hid it down the beach,"
said l.
Just so-taking care to wipe out our
tracks"
Look here" said i. turning TO him,
do you think this darn o is worth
u numbering each other about? You
can get it away without u schooner,
and you won't get it without a fight to
start with. Why can't we come to a
divvy on it? We've admitted your
right to IL third of it"
He cut in with thai sarcastic laugh
OF his.
you're right, captain-the box isn't
worth killing any one over, but I'm
counting on getting it without a
scrap My Spanish friend here" he
for shooting your people down from
the bushes this afternoon. but 1
wouldn't near of it. I've sent their boat
in. and they'll find it in the morning
and come of aboard. Then there'll be
another little surprise party. i don't
think they'll be so foolish as to fight
when they get alongside and find three
rifles looking at EN-"
j saw his plan then, n l must say
it made me respect him a lot.
The night wore along n by and by
/ woke up from.a little nap and saw Il
faint glimmer of light in the skylight.
A few minutes later Durand, who was
or deck, stuck his head down through
the hatch.
Il think l hear them coming said
he.
1t was mighty disagreeable for me,
waiting there and seeing everything
working right into their hands, but
there was nc help for it, and / couldn't
help %grinning a little to myself when l
thought of Boles' surprise. l agreed
with Durant that they would never be
so foolish as to try 10 put up q fight
when they ound that the people on
the schooner had the drop.
The glimmer in the sl5ylight grew
brighter and hen suddenly l heard a
hail from close alongside. l recog-
nized Browns voice.
Schooner aho-o-oy! Oh, Jordan!
Aho-o-oy!'
Something scraped along the deck
over my head, INC l heard Durand say:
AL 81 l--, a.. 4: a.
Brown hollered Il few times more, and
then / caught the chunk of rowlocks.
They must have been very close, for
presently / heard Boles say, the addle-
headed ass has finally decided to go in
and look for US II taken the boy with
him. then l lost what he said, but
presently I heard him growing away
again, "or else he's caulked off down
below waiting for US to wake him up
with the pleasing news that he's "a
man of independent
Funny how a little thing like hat
Will sometimes irritate a man, especial-
iy when it's so unjust. That bit of lip
almost reconciled me to the surprise
they We're going to get.
There was q moments silence and 1
heard the boat jar up alongside-then
came a piercing scream and a roar of
voices all together.
HE'LL" roared Boles; then bang.
bang! Two reports came almost to-
getller.
There was another scream, and 1
heard Boles roar out:
Drop that gun, drop it, woman!"
There was another report and l felt
the cold sweat break out all over me.
Stop firing!" yelled Durand's voice.
stop it. o damn greaser!!"
oh, Lord!' I groailed to myself.
That's rotten murder! Oh, if l were
only loose.."
l put out every ounce of strength
h a was in me, but the coir rope was
too strong. The squat little cuss looked
down into the cabin.
Lie still!' he bawled; mo ones hurt.
IEat cat tried to shoot Durand and
the greaser took a sno at her. but
lourand knocked his rifle up. It's all
right-lie still. dye hear?"
Durand stuck his head into the hatch
way.
Come up, captain." he ordered. and
as Well as l was able L ~wri2gled onto
my feet and Went up.
Standing close together by the bull
warks were Durand and mis- two part
ners, rifles in hand. Just h heads of
the people in the BOAT We're in sight,
and / don't think i ever saw an uglier
lock than was on Boles face.
Get into the boat said Durand
Sharply TO me. He was a tall, hand
come man as 1 saw him in bread day
light. but wasn't admiring his beauty
much just then.
"Almighty!" said 1; you ant going
to leave us on that island. ara You
~lieutenant?" What | wanted was to
gain time.
Yes, | ami" a y he; and a damn
good place for three cursed pirates and
d."
1t think ii was the word he called the
woman that settled it. Quick as a fash
l leaped behind him and planted my
heel in the small of his back. Al the
same time l drove my head against
his shoulder of the little man and
butted him over the side as clean as a
Whistle.
What followed happened too quick for
words. Durand landed across .he gun
nel OF the boat and tore away the whole
9, ri Il, n,1l t1,a 1i+Y1a pallD", ,,l1, ~,