Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-05-24

terests. wish Pig had stayed home,
so that could have settled things
before getting these notions And
yet, Breen isn't always this way. He
feels like murder, sometimes. Well
not 70 often as I do he's on that
side OF the fence---and I'm on the
other. He's a gentleman. and I'm
not. I wonder II can be-for her
I wonder II I can forgive Pig"
Then he went to sleep, to waken
at seven bells at peace with himself
and with Pig-serenely confident in
his sleep born loftiness Of purpose
AS was customary with him, fresh
from the navy, he WAS first on his
feet; and he started toward the gal
ley to get the breakfast with more Of
good humor In his face than had
shown there lately; but, in half a
minute from the time that he
stepped through the forecastle door,
his new-found philosophy was
shocked out Of him. First he heavd
his name called, and observed Breen,
his hands full Of brass rags, run
ming down the poop steps The
watch was scattered about, some
swabbing patchwork, others, like
Breen, securing brass. Each face
was turned forward, each pair Of
eyes focused on point abaft the
forward house. Dick fastened
around the corner Just as Breen
called again.
Take a hand In that, Halpin."
Forward OF the main hatch, fiat on
his back and black in the face, was
Sawyer. His eyes were bullying. his
tongue Drotruding. the lower part Of
his body wriggling feebly Kneeling
on his chest was the cause Of It all
Pig Jones. His left fingers gripped
Sawyer's throat. and his right, dou-
bled into fist the size of sledge-
hammer, was doing the work OF a
hammer on Sawyer's face.
Think. do ye," said Pig between
blows, yer goin' TO run me cause
we've got my berth. III learn ye."
1t was no time to consider ethics
or philosophy, even though Dick had
not received orders from Breen.
Sawyer, a good friend. was being
murdered by n giant ignorant of his
strength, innocent of murderous in
tent, perhaps-bent only upon
learning" his victim. Dicks boot,
impacting on Pigs jaw. stopped the
tutelage. It was kick that would
have broken an ordinary jaw, and It
held together; yet he was driven of
from Sawyer's chest by the force Of
the kick, and he scrambled to his
feet six feet away.
Defend yourself, Halpin,' called
Breen, and Dick. watching Pig close
L., observed, out of the corner Of
his eye, Sawyer rising weakly to his
feet, with Breen and others around
him.
You you you - kick me-"
splnttered Pig. "You--Halpin, hey?
! knew We"
Right" said Dick, calmly; Red
head Halpin. You got only one
back, Pig Jones. There are more
kicks coming to you" Then he
lodged the bull-like rush OF the
giant and struck him lightly IN the
ribs as he passed.
There is no need to describe in
technical detail the fight that fol-
lowed--the f1ercest battle with fists
that Dick had ever engaged in. 1t
ragged and whirled from the main
hatch to the break Of the poop. for
ward again, then aft. Pig beloved
and threatened insanely. expanding
his strength in futile blows and
PUSHES. Dick was merely himself
again-not the self which had for
mulated plans of inward discipline
and forgiven Pig. but the self which
remembered the prosecutions of Pig
as man and boy. He was a paleo-
lithic reversion plus the education
of the modern seaman apprentice
Fired by an ecstasy of pride and
courage. he would not now have ex-
changed his characteristics for those
OF Breen-not even for the power to
win the girl that he loved
He noticed, as he struck and
tented, lodged and whirled, that
men followed them, but avoided
contact, even though some held
handspikes poised aloft. Once he
heard clarion voice over their ex-
clamations:--
Let them alone, Mr.. Thorpe.
Stand back there, Mr. Sawyer He's
doing we'll. Let 'em have 1t out"
And he fought on, caring little for
the Sympathy in tho voice or for tho
poised handspikes, until, breathing
hard, and dizzy with the shock of In
terruption. he found himself held
tightly by Sawyer and the captain,
and looking down at his Quivering
unconscious antagonist.
"Thatll do, young man" said the
captain. You've licked him fair.
Don't spoil It,"
Come forrard. Billson." said
Sawyer. Get yer breakfast" The
captain released his arm, and Saw
yer led him away.
'Ye came just In time to save my
wind. Billson," he said and III not
forget It. ] didn't think you could
do him, and l was ready with a club.
Glad now, on your account. | didn't
use It, but sorry on mine. Why, the
brute struck me from behind lust
cause Id objected, FIVE minutes be-
fore. to his scattering Stops on the
deck
my names Halpin, Mr.. Sawyer"
painted Dick. That fellows an old
cchnol-tima oncmv and eunnraacad