Evening journal., 1904-05-28

timc as ! do, so we can ease of the
strain on these lines at the same time. |
Ready there, cut" Moran set free the
hook I'm the loop OF blaclS skin in a
couple Of strokes but Wilbur was
more clumsy; the skin resisted. He
struck at it sharply with the heavy
spade The blade hit the iron hook,
glanced of and opened a large slit in
the carcass below the head. A gush
Of entralls started from the slit, and
Moran swore under breath.
ease away, quick therei You'll
have the mast out Of her next-steadyl
Hold your spade-what's thatT'
Wilbur had nerved himself against
the dreadful stencil he expected would
issue from the putrid monster but he
was surprised to note a pungent, sweet
and spicy odor that all at once made
thick the air about him. II was an
aromatic smell, stronger than that of
the salt ocean, stronger even than the
reek of oil and blubber from the
schooner's waist sweet az incense.
penetrating as altar, delicious as
summer breeze.
1T smells pretty good, whatever II
is." he answered Moran came up TO
where he stood and looked at the slit
he had made in the whales carcass.
Out Of It was bulglng some kind Of
duh white matter marbled with gray.
1t was a hard lump Of irregular shape
and about as big as a hogshead.
Moran glanced over TO the junk, some
forty feet distant The beachcombers
were holsting the lug sail. Hoang was
at the steering oar.
"Get that stun aboard" she com
manded quietly
"Thatw exclaimed Wilbur, pointing
TO the lump.
Moran's blue eyes were beginning t.
CLEAN.
"Yes, and do It before the Cinnamon
see YOU"
"But-but l don't understand"
Moran stepped TO the quarter deck
unslung the hammock in which Wilbur
slept and tossed il TO him.
"Reeve it up in that I'll pass you
line, and wen laul ii aboard. God
] send, those vermin yonder have eo'
smells enough Of their own without no
ticing this. Hurry, mate. I'll talk aft
/ erWard"
Wilbur went over the side and stand
ing as best he could upon the slippery
carcass. dug out the lump and bound
it up in the hammock.
"lIohr exclaimed Moran, with sud
den exulmton There's n lot of II
That's the biggest lump yet, I'll be
bound. Is that all there is, matei
Look carefully" Her voice had drop
ped TO a whisper.
Eyes, yes; that's ALL Careful nov
when you haul up. Hoang has got hi
eye ON you. and so have the rest o.
them. What do you call it anyhow
Why are you SO particular about it.
Is it worth anythingf'
81 don't know-perhaps. Wen hav,
look at it anyway"
Moran hauled the stun aboard, ant
Wilbur followed.
"Whew" he exclaimed with hal
closed eyes "1ts like the story O.
Samson and the dead lion-the swee
coming forth from the strong"
The schooner seemed to swim in ;
bath of perfumed air The membran,
OF the nostrils fairly pringled with tn,
sensation Norm unleashcd the ham
mock and, going down upon one knee
examined the lump attentively
1T didn't seem possible" Wllbu
heard her saying 10 herself, "but ther,
can't be any mistake. It's the stuff
right enough I've heard Of sucl
things, but thls-but this She ros,
to her feet, tossing back her hair.
well" said Wilbur, "what do 20,
call it?"
"The thing TO do now" returned Mo
ran, sis 20 get clear of here as Quietl.
and as quickly as we can and take thi
stun with us / can't stop to explain
now. but it's big-its big. Mate. IT,
big as the Banl, of England"
"rhose bcachcombers are right on Il
the game, I'm afraid" said Wilbur
Look they're watching us. This stuf
would smell across the ocean"
"Rot the hcachcombers There's
bit Of wind, thank heaven. and we cai
do four knots TO their one, just let IL
get clear once"
, Momn dragged he hammock bacl
. into the cabin and, returning TO th,
: deck, helped Wilbur to cut away III,
last tricing tackle. The schooner right
4 ed slowly to an even keel. Meanwhil,
the junk had set its one lug sail an,
it's crew had run out the sweeps
(, Hoang took the steering sweep an,
worked the junk TO a position righ
e across the Bertha's bows some fift.
Z feet ahead.
y They're watching US, right enough,
G said Wilbur
up your mainslw ordered Moran
The pair set the fore and main sail
with great difficulty. Moran took th
o wheel, and Wilbur went forward Z
D cast off the line by which the schoone
+ had been tied up to one of the whale
r fluyes
/. "Cut itr' cried the girl. Don't sto
l. to cast Off"
r There was hail from the beach
j. combers. the port sweeps dipped AM
g the junk bore up nearer.
4 Hurry shouted Moran. "Don'
= mind theml Are we clear for'ard
r what's the trouble? Something's hold
o ing her" The schooner listed slowl
r TO starboard and settled by the head.
4 "All clearw cried Wilbur.
N turhnr.te cou,othf,.. ,V,orrrfff ovoIo f,,,