The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-26

think near them coming"
said he.
It was mighty disagreeable for me.
waiting there and seeing everything
working right into their. hands, but
there was no help for it. and / couldn't
help grinning q little to myself when
thought OF Boles' surprise. agreed
with Durand that they would never be
so foolish as to try. to put up fight
when they found that the people on
the schooner had the DROP
The glimmer in the skyliEht crew
brighter and then suddenly 1 heard a
hail from close alongside. T recor-
nized Browns voice.
Schooner aho-o-oy! Oh, Jordanl
Aho-o-oy!" s
Something scraped along the deck
over my head and I heard Durand
| larksl"
Brown hollered few times more.
and then caughtsthe chunk Of row
locks. They must have been very
close, for presently heard Boles say,
The addle-headed ass has finally de-
T taken the boy with HIM" then lost
what he said, but presently 4 heard
him growing away again, cor else he's
| caulked off down below waiting for us
to wake him up with the pleasing
news that he's man of Independent
Funny how little thing like that
will sometimes irritate man, espe-
cially when it's SO unjust. That bit OF
| lip almost reeonciled me to the sur
prise they were going to get.
There was moments silence, and I
heard the boat jar up alongside-then
| came q piercing scream as a roar Of
| voices all together. sl
He'll" roared Boles; then bangl
| bangl Two reports came almost to-
| gether.
There was another scream, ana
heard Boles roar out:
Drop that gun! drop 1t, wonlanl"
There was another report ana felt
the cold sweat break out all over me,
| stop f1ring!' yelled Durand's voice.
Stop it, you damn greaser!"
20, Lord!' groaned to myself.
mats rotten murder! Oh. If + were
that was in me; but the coir rope was
too strong. The squat little cuss
looked down into the cabin.
Lie stilll' he bawled; mo ones
hus =, That cat tried to shoot Durand
Durand Knocked his rifle UP. It's all
r1ght-lie still, dye hear?'' ="
Durand stuck his head into the
hatchway.
Come up, - captain!" he ordered,
and as we'll as was able wriggled on
| to my feet and went up.
Standing close together by the bul-
warks were Durand and his two part
ners, rifles in hand: Just the heads
OF the people in the boat were in sight,
and 1 don't think I ever saw an uglier
look than was on Boles' face.
Get in the boat!" said Durand
some man, as saw him in broad day
light, but I wasn't admiring his beauty
much just then.
..Almighty!" said I; you amt a.
going to leave US on the island, are
you, lieutenant? % what I wanted was
Eyes, ami" says he; "and damn
good place for three cursed pirates
and a.
think that it was the word he
called the woman that settled it.
Quick as a flash I leaped behind him
and planted my heel in the small Of
his back. At the same time I drove
my head against the shoulder of the
little man and butted him over the
side as clean as g. whistle.
What followed happened too quick
for words. Durand landed across the
gunnle of the boat and tore away the
whole strip, and the little fellow, when
he found himself going, leaped clear
Of the boat and swashed overheard.
The greaser whipped around at me
with his rifle and I ducked just in
time, for the bullet creased my scalp
from front to rear. Before he could
shoot again Boles was up over the side
and damned him in the jaw with his
fist, knocking him clean across the
deck. His rifle went spinning out Of
his hands, and quick as flash Boles
had whipped it up and sent a bullet
thru his head.
In the boat little Brown had Jumped
Durand and showed his head back
over the splintered gunnle until it was
in the water, and Emilio was on his
feet and stabbing at the swimming
tunately couldn't reach him.
"Cut me loose-damn We, cut me
loose!' yelled, for a man with his
hands tied behind his back is in poor
shape for a general knock-down and
drag-out. aSF
Triumph. you're SO handy with your
doesn't seem to be much need!" says
Boles, in that aggravating way Of his
but before could think up any curse
strong enough for him that wouldn't
shock the lady, she had yanked out
little knife and cut me loose.
devil up. Do you think that's nice
way to treat an officer and a gentle
MANI" .S+
Hes trying to pull gun" said
Brown in hurt tone.
well, pull it for him, and If he. gets
frisky, clip him over the head with
It," said Boles.
I called out to Emilio to come
aboard and look after his mate, and,
picking up a heavy line, chucked it to
the man who was overheard. He
grabbed it and I hauled him in and
yanked him up over the side.
Nov. young man. said T. III you
think that you can keep quiet and be-
have yourself, why, all right-O, but
if you're still looking for trouble
rubbed my arms where his miserable
rope had cut into them-I'M just try
and make you as comfortable on that
locker down below as you did me!'
He lay painting and dripping on the
deck, too winded to get on his feet ahd
without as much fight in him as
pollywog. Pretty soon he hauled him
self up. He wasn't a bad looking
young fellow, and misdoubted that he
might be junior deck officer off
some transport and misled by Durand.
'Im thru" says he; "but II there's
no hard Feeling, matey. "a like sup
O. that liquor below-if We can trust
me-" he added, sort Of shamefaced.
'sI've no fear" said I. II can't
look after you and your lieutenant
man, now that I've cast of my warps,
it's time I quit. Go on down and get
your drink-but just chuck that mis-
guided ereaser overheard before you