Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-12-03
ave. Er.w

Tom started as II he had been shot.
He saw the mate turn towards the poop
deck as he replied and there was no
mistaking his features. The red face,
bushy beard and brutal mouth could
belong to none other than Toms old
/ enemy. Obed Rider. who had brought
the story of Capt. Scott's fight to Mer-
rfvale. III any further proof was need
ed, his broken rose, which added to the
responsiveness of his appearance. was
noticeable at the first glance.
| AS he caught sight of Tom he stopped
as IL rooted to the deck and uttered an
exclamation of amazement, for the rec
ognitfon was mutual. Then an evil
light blazed In his eyes and he bounded
towards Tom. kissing through his set
teeth:
How came you aboard this craft?'
His fists were clenched, but he paused
before reaching striking distance, for
four years had developed Tom Scott
from lanky boy into tall. muscular
man, and the same undaunted spirit
now looked boldly into the others ewes.
The captain and the old miner were
, both below at the moment, the former
having gone to his dinner, after giving
4. his last order, and the chief officer stood
glaring at Tom like an enraged animal.
He had been shipped at the last mo-
ment and had no knowledge of any pas
sengers on board, supposing Tom must
have been engaged as a common sailor.
What are you doin' Of on that quar-
ter deck?" he demanded, as Tom made
no reply to his first question. What's
the matter with you'll Open your
mouth or I'll open 1t for you! What
are you doing here?"
| "None of your business" replied
Tom. finding his tongue at last.
I'm make it my business blamed
quickl" cried the infuriated officer, his
eyes swapping as he thought of the long
voyage ahead and his power to take his
revenge tenfold on one under his au-
thority.
Get forward where you belong" e
shouted.
Tom understood now what was pass
Ing in the others mind, but determined
not to undeceive the mate In order that
the truth might be all the more crush
ing when made known.
Il won't stir peg for you, Obed
Rider" he replied, "and II you are not
careful will make your face look worse
than l did when. was a boy. What
bad luck brought you here don'tknow,
but L warn you to keep clear from mel"
The expression on the mates face was
fairly flendish as he snatched an iron
Delaying pin from the fife rail and
rushed at Tom. crying:
| you won't stir, eh! Curse you. ri
show you the difference between aioat
T, and ashoreI"
| But his blow was arrested in mid air
by an iron grip about his wrist and the
weapon was torn from his hand Instant
ly. He found himself pressed against
the mizzenmast with force that near
ly took his breath away, while Tom said
sternly:
Don't try that with me again or I'll
| pitch you overboardl"
As he spoke he released the mate, who
tcr The cabin ster-, his ,.e-
crimson with passion. shouting.
"Mutiny! Mutinyl I'll have your
life for thisi"
He had reached the head Of the steps
when Capt. Coffin appeared on the
scene, attracted by the mates loud
tones.
What's the trouble here?" he de-
manded, as the officer tried to push by
him on the steps.
| TITS mutiny, sir!" was the angry re-
lply. "Wait till l get my pistol. and I'll
soon settle It'll"
The captain looked about him In sur
prise. Tom stood alone on the quarter
deck, and the whole matter was mex
plicable unless the new mate was crazv.
a thought which found ample justifica-
tion in his disordered appearance.
"Mutiny?" he repeated, contemptu-
ously. "See here, IL you've been drink
Ing, Mr.. Rider, don't let it happen again.
can make allowance for sailing day,
but see II doesn't happen again!"
| Il am as sober as YOU are" was the
'surly reply. THAT man there. That
Scott whelp! lie refused to obey me,
and I'll see whether | am mate Of this
ship or not!"
With one stride the captain reached
his side and thrust his weather-beaten
face close to the mates, giving him a
look before which the other quailed.
Look you!" he said. sharply. "When
you speak to me remember | have a
handle TO my name. and see YOU put it
on every time! You must be drunkl"
The mate looked from one 10 the
other as if he could not believe his own
senses. What did it all mean? WHY
did the skipper refuse to side with him
and allow Tom 10 stand there unmolest-
ed after assaulting his superior oflicerl
| Seeing he could do nothing but glare
at Tom the skipper turned 10 the latter
and said. coolly:
Its next TO impossible to get q sober
man nowadays. The best seamen all
seem to make ii business to keen
drunk all the time they are ashore.
After they get out to sea they are all
| right"
Capt. Coffin" said the mate, STEP
ping forward. II have not touched a
| GEAID