The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1906-05-04

burning ship. it is possible that Pines
precaution would have been thrown
away. The "old hands," who had been
through the passage before, suspected,
but said nothing save among them
selves. 1t is likely that the weak and
sickly would go first, and that there
would be more room for those remain
ing The "old hands, were satisfied.
Three of these old hands were con-
versing together just behind the parti-
ton Of Dawes bunk The berths were
five feet square. and each contained six
men. No. 10, the berth occupied by
Dawes, was situated in the corner made
ter lines, and behind it was a slight re-
cess, in which the scuttle was fixed.
His mates were at present but three
in lumber. for John Rex and cockney
tailor had been removed to the hospital.
The three that remained were now In
deep converse ton in the shelter OF the
recess. OF these, a giant seemed to be
the chief. His name was Gabbett.
He was returned convict. The other
two were man named Sanders, known
as "the Moocher." and Jenny Vetch,
the Grow" They were talking in whis-
pere. but Rufus Dawes, lying with his
head close to the partition, was enabled
to catch much of what they said.
At first the conversation turned on the
catastrophe Of the burning ship. From
this it grew to anecdote of wreck and
adventure, and at last Gabbett said
something which made the listener start
from his Indifferent efforts to slumber
into sudden, broad wakefulness.
1t was the mention Of his own name,
coupled with that of the woman he had
met on the quarterback.
II saw her speakin' to Dawes yester-
day." said the giant, 1--WE don't want
no more than we've got. I amt goin' to
risk my neck for Rex's fancies, and
so I'll tell her"
ut was something about the kid"
says the Crow. in his elegant slang. 81
don't believe she ever saw him before"
IF l thort she was agoin' to throw
us over, I'd cut her throat as soon as
look at her." snorts Gabbett, savagely.
Jack nd have a word in that" snuff
fes the Moocher; land he's a curious
cove to quarrel with"
well" grumbled Mr.. Gabbett. "and
let's have no more chaff. If we're for
bizness, let's come to bizness."
What are we to do now" asked the
Moocher. Jacks on the sick list, and
the gal won't stir a'thout him."
"My dear friends" said the Grow,
"my keyind and kerstian friends, it is
to be regretted that when natur' gave
you such tremendously thick skulls. she
didn't put something inside of 'em. l
%hox ~ t.. A.,
'orspital: what Of that? That don't
make it no better for him, does it =? Not
bit of it; and, if he drops his knife
and fork, why, then it's my opinion
that the gal won't stir a peg. It's on
his account, not ours. that she's been
manoovering. amt it?'
"Well"' says Mr.. Gabbett, with the
air Of one who was but partly con-
vinced. 81 s'pose it isl
"All the more reason Of getting It off
quick. Another thing, when the boys
know there's fever aboard, you'll see
the rumpus there's be. They'll be
ready enough to join us then. Once get
the snapper-chest, and we're right as
nine-penn'orth o'hapence."
This conversation had an intense In
terest for Rufus Dawes. Plunged into
prison, hurriedly tried, and by reason
of his surroundings ignorant Of the death
Of his father and his own fortune, he
had hitherto held aloof from the scoun-
drels who surrounded him. He now
saw his error. He knew that the name
he had once possessed was blotted out,
that any shred of his old life which had
chung to him hitherto was shriveled In
the fire that consumed the Hydaspes.
Richard Devine was dead-lost at sea
with the crew Of the Inflated vessel in
which-deluded by a skillfully sent let
ter from the prison-his mother believ-
ed him to have sailed. Rufus Dawes.
alone should live Rufus Dawes-the
convicted felon, the suspected murderer.
should live to claim his freedom With
he eagerly listened for more.
"But we can't stir without the girl"
Gabbett said. "She's got to stall off the
sentry"
The Crow produced a dirty scrap of
paper, over which his compa mons Gag
erly bent their heads.
Where did yer get thatT' asked Cab
bett.
Yesterday afternoon Sarah was
standing on the deck throwing bits O.
toxic to the gulls. and l saw her a-look-
ing at me very hard. At last ski came
down as near the barricade as she dared.
and thrOwed crumbs and such-lika up IN
the air over the side. BY and by pref
~ big lump, doughed up round, fell close
to my foot. and, watching a favorable
opportunity, l pouched it. Inside was
this bit O. rag-bag"
The writing. though feminine in char
acter was bold and distinct, Sarah had
evidently been mindful of the education
of her friends, and had desired to give
them as little trouble as possible.
"All is right Watch me when come
up tomorrow evening at three bells. If
l drop my handkerchief. get to work
at the time agreed on. The sentry will
be safe"
Rufus Dawes, though his eyelids
would scarcely keep open, and terrible
lassitude almost paralyzed his limbs,
eagerly drank in the whispered sentence.
There was conspiracy to seize the ship.
Sarah Purfoy was in league with the
convicts. She had come on board armed
with plot, and this plot was about to
be put in execution.
True, that the head Of this formula
Bile chimera-John Rex, the forger-was