Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-05-24
MASTERS OF MEN !
A Romance Of the
NEW NAVY
BY MORGAN ROBERTSON
,Copynah,ed by Curtis Publishing Co and Doul-ldsy j
Page q Co.. 1901
Observation-Disclosures
CHAPTER XXXIII.


little later. Breen was bandaging the
wound made by the marlinspike, and
they we're alone In the port forccas-
tie, Dicks watch being at work on
deck, Breen's In the other forecastle,
trying to eat breakfast. Isn't there
any law for these things?"
Plenty Of law, but little Justice"
answered Breen, with a hard look on
his face. Thank your good luck
that you didn't get It between the
eyes. You know something now
about the kind of men they are.
don't you? The mate thought moth
ing Of flooring you on mere suspi-
cion, and II he had killed you would
have thought as little. Same with
the skipper Very well. When We
get our chance well shoot to kill;
It's the only way. Hush-here's
somebody"
The burly form OF the second
mate darkened the door, and his un-
pleasant voice said
Come now, come now. goin' to
soger all the watch? Come out o
that, and turn to-
"Just a minute, sir" answered
Breen, with assumed cheerfulness
"I1l have him ready when I've
knotted these ends He's lost blood,
and he's weak, sir"
What CUFF ha' you got about it?"
Mr.. Jones stepped In. and advanced
upon them. Don't 81 me any o yer
slack" He struck open-handed at
the ensigns face with force enough
to stretch him out on the floor. then
he collared Dick, and held him while
Breen scrambled to his feet. The
play Of emotion on Breen's disfigurea
face was unpleasant TO see. and he
looked wildly about him Perhaps It
was we'll for all three that there was
not knife, club, or implement in
the forecastle. He looked Mr. Jones
souarely In the eyes for moment,
then looked down, and said quietly,
but with the same tremble OF rage In
his voice that had marked his protest
to the carpenter
Il was only stopping the blood.
sir, so that he wouldn't get weaker
Dry up. We farmer"
He marched Dick at arms length
to the door, and actually kicked him
through 1t. Dick fell in heap with
out, and as he painfully sat up, then
stood up, he saw, faint and bloodless
as he was, the old reddish tinge
creep over the sky, the deck. and the
white paint work about him-not so
brilliant as OF old, but strong enough
u "a, Np tHyp
per; then he thought of Breen's mas
terry Of himself a moment before and
by supreme effort Of will brought
himself back to sanity. The paint
became white, the sky gray, and the
deck the dingy hue 1t had worn. But
the effort Of will. his weakened con-
dition, cost him his senses, and he
fell in a faint.
When he recovered consciousness
he WAS in the same spot on the deck
and above him stood Mr.. Jones with
an empty bucket, while Smith was
perched on the rail. with a draw
bucket.
"That'l do the water" said the
officer, and Smith came down. Now
then" he roared at Dick. 'goin tC
get up and turn to, or dye want tS
be tucked in yer cradle and rocked
to sleep?"
Dick staggered to his feet anC
managed to remain erect; but h
could not speak, and things looked
hazy and indistinct to him. the secont
mates huge figure being nothing bu
an Opaque blur. Then a second blu
moved into his imperfect circle o
vision, and he heard the captain
voice.
You blunderin' fool" 1t said
You ALFRED senseless idiot, ar
you tryin' to kill this man, Jess 'caus
ye know how? Don't ye know whe
mans had enough, or will We eve
know anythin'. I've watched we 70
tho last ten minutes. bullyraggin'
man already under control. with tn
rest O. yer watch sogerin' aroun
dom nothin' and everythin' shakiI
aloft. Tend to yer knittin now, G
I'll have no more o ye.'
Mr.. Jones took n hurried loo
around and aloft, and left them
brace the yards for shift OF wine
Captain Bilker regarded Dick, WIFI
dripping wet and shivering, with fac
pale as death, and his bandage res
ing on one shoulder. was holding 1
the pin rail for support.
Whats yer manner" he asked.
"R-R-R-ichard Halpin-R- Richar
Billson, sir.-Richard H. BillsoI
ST."
"Well. Richard H. Billson. are 20
the man that crippled my mate"
"N-no. SIR" suffered Dick.
never saw him before this morning
was In my bunk when that hal
pened, SIR"
How bad are ye hurt?"
Scalp wound. Capt'n; but II
weak can hardly stand up"
go to yer bunk. Peel of the
wet clothes. and I'll send the stew
ard forrard wi some medicine
keep down the fever. Take 1t, an
don't turn to till ye feel like 1t. VI
no lazy mans clerk. / can see, and
don't want any sick men board n
ship"
Thank you. SIR"
Breen, who had remained awak
assisted him into his bunk. and Il
steward came forward with hot VI
ter. bandages. and medicine, and a.