The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-07-07

CONTINUED fpom page 81
n. "1ney send messengers In dis


suise."
81 guess modern pirates use the ca
BILE" laughed Evan, stopping demon
stration. "you youngsters had better
pile on deck and keep sharp lookout
for treasure ships"
The twins departed, still arguing the
question Of to cable or not to cable
and. lighting cigar. EVAN gave him
SELF over to wondering why Alice had
not waited to bid him goodby, She had
half promised that she would be on
hand TO wish him good luck on his first
piratical adventure. 1t was not like
her to break her word.
He was still lost in thought when the
steward came in to set the table for
lunch.
beg pardon. sir" he asked, "shall |
set place for the lady?"
slave the boys been telling you
about their captive" laughed Evan,
81 supposed that captives on pirate
ships were fed ON bread and water"
THE young lady in the cabin, sir, the
one the young gentlemen were telling
you about, sir"
There's no young woman in the cab
In" denied EVAN. ITS part Of their
make believe"
II thought you knew, sir" persisted
the steward. There's q lady In that
cabin"
Hoffman made two steps to the door
indicated and threw II open. There on
the bunk lay Alice Cutler bound hands
and feet and with towel across her
mouth. 1t was the work of moment
Do release her, but 1t was Eve minutes
before her lips permitted her to speak.
"Don't mind" she smiled as she lis
tened to Evans horror stricken expla-
nations. Il imagine that the boys took
their piracy too seriously. 1t was all
done so suddenly that could not help
myself, but I was sure that you would
find it out when you came on board"
"And to think" he groaned, that
was sitting In the cabin all the fore
noon, and you were lying here suffer
ing"
''It wasn't so very bad" she concil.
lated, ''and the boys were so full OF
their cruise that you really cannot
blame them. l hope you viii not pun
ish them"
Punish themw he echoed savagely.
IF they are going in for this sort Of
piracy they should be strung up at the
yardarm."
With whoop the boys came tum-
bling down The companionway. As
their glance fell upon their captive
they jumped upon their uncle and be-
gan to pummel him. AI
'sIt amt fair" protested Gordon, ito
let the captives ont. They might run
away"
For moment EVAN struggled with
: desire to fight back, then he caught
Aice's eye, and he contented himself
with grasping the collars Of two sailor
jackets and bringing the twins in front
of him. Effs8$4t tt5f
'I'll give you dollar apiece as ran
son." he said sternly. Not a cent
more"
You can have her." they chorused.
"Give up the dollar"
Payment was made, and Hoffman
sent word to the mate to head for
home, to the great dismay Of the
twins, but on this point Evan and
Alice were agreed.
The sun was just sinking In the west
as the Mona, renamed the Scourge,
came in sight of home. From the
bridge Alice and Evan watched the
landmarks loom up, while the twins,
with Evans best binoculars, watched
at the stern for pursuers.
''It is too bad to bring the cruise to
such sudden termination" she smiled.
"It is too bad to have to return to
the real" he supplemented. "For the
last four hours you have been my cap
tive and now
"And nowr she prompted.
'sThe situations are reversed have
been your captive ever since l came
down here"
'Then you were very unbuslness-
like pirate" she laughed softly, "to
ransom me-"
"Why?' he demanded.
Because" she whispered, "you had
only to ask and
Evan asked.
The next cruise Of the Scourge will