Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-05-17
CHAPTER Xxx.

Sawyer turned and entered tho
forecastle, while Dick furtively
glanced at the slim. graceful figure
Of his offlcer. AS events crowded one
upon another, he was being forced
to a revision Of opinion regarding his
smooth-voiced and gentlemanly SUI
perior-this courageous and re-
sourceful man Of action. He was
beginning to admire him, almost TO
like him
1T was a foul trick" said the en-
sign at last; but what could I do?
He was large, heavy man. I had
suffered brutal treatment on deck.
and feared for my life. We were
taught that trick sub rosa. at An
napolis, as resource in street riots,
when firing was forbidden"
You did right" answered Dick,
vehemently. I've practiced It, but
have never been forced 70 use IT,
will, though, If necessary; and then,
too. II youd got the gun, you'd have
shoe him and the other two, before
the thing was over. There's no fair
play needed aboard this ship. 1t
isn't understood.
II wonder what use Sawyer will
make Of his knowledge, now that he
is aft?"
AS though to answer this, Sawyer
came out, dumped his clothes bag on
the hatch. and Joined them.
Don't fear that I'll give you
away" he said. I've sworn I don't
know anythin' about It, an that'll
stand. An want to say that think
ye took the best plan in playin'
turnkey. If ye'd acted yer natural
self. an shown yer knowledge O.
ships and sailorizin', We might ha'
convinced the skipper-when it'd be
too late: for. havin' hazed We an
kicked We around. an KNOWN that
as an officer OF the navy We could
make him sweat for 1t, he'd think
the safest plan for hind be TO kill
ye with work. somehow, or shoot We
as a mutineer, an put We in the log
under the name we've got on the arti-
cles. or have ye knocked overheard
some dark night"
That's the way reasoned" said
Breen.
Yes, an We reasoned right. It's
we'll understood that a gentleman
shanghaied in a Yankee ship, seldom
finishes the passage; but as a harm
less servant man. ye'd have a chance
out O. yer pure innocence. It's best
as 1t Is. Now. yell be In my watch,
an I'll make 1t easy for ye; but I'M
| derstand, after I've gone aft WI that
| bag, I'm an officer, and cant talk
with we, an I've got to forget all I've
said an listened to, an II caught
We in the cabin I'd have 10 put We
out. Just the same-good luck to
ye,"
He shouldered his bag and started
aft. but turned and rejoined them.
An of course. ven understand,
he said to Breen, that my belieyin
in yer bein' a navy officer won't help
ye any more than if stayed iorrard
might convince the skipper fore
long. So can you fore long; but It'll
be the worst thing that could hap
pen after what has happened I'm
yer deathll go into the shippers Off
cial log as accidental. and one o the
mates'll witness the entry. That's
evidence in court. I can swear only
to my belief. after yer dead, and tina
won't help ye. But" he added, sig
nificantly, "I'll have the lower bunl
In Mr.. Jones's room" Then he wal
gone.
There will be somebody each side
Of that passage. continually sale
Breen. The thing is boiling down
From the darkness In the weather
alley came the tall figure Of the car
penter He halted, listened mo
ment. then spying Dick and Breei
at the woodpile. came down TO them
uttering warning. "Sh-h-h-h.
Over the sound OF the wind and sci
could be heard the scraping OF
knife on steel.
Hear 1t. lad" he said earnestly t
Dick. Hear the dark beast a-grind
in his knife? Is II for me or you
Ye soaked him weel wi the soup, an
I'm thinkin' he's mon 10 be watch
full OF. Losh. but It fair maks III
nairyous-to hear that sound.
TITS for YOU" said Brcen guile
fully. It's for you He told ME h
would kill you. Oh. he isn't ,sfrai
of you!"
Get ye DOT o. this. ye time sarvir
turnkey" said Chips. angrily raisin
his open hand; and Breen move
quickly-with a billet OF wood In hi
grasp.
He says" persisted Breen. from
safe distance, that he won't allo'
you or any one else to lay hands O
me again. He says you're nothin
but a wh1t0washed Irishman-"
! Hush, 70 bag O. bad tesdings,
, roared the exasperated Chips. "A
lrishma& an |? Me. Mac9herso