The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-06-21

outIine and in moment took definite
shane in Curtains mind.
In his medicine-case was vial con.
tanning a quantity of certain very
powerful anesthetic. He had told the
nirate that he would dress the wound
again when necessary. If on this ex-
clse he could get his hands freed and
the case in his possession, why would
if not be easy to administer few
drops of the drug by a hypodermic in
lection. and almost Immediately send
the Waterman into coma that would
last for hours-render him uncon-
ecious before he could rebind his CAP
+ive's hands or think to make cutlery?
Curtin fully realized the danger at
tendant upon so audacious a scheme.
But he felt that as long as he was
in the hands of these ruthless and
merciless men his life was not safe
from one hour to the next.
Immediately he hailed the watchman
and asked him about his arm. The
tall pirate paused and replied that
if still panied him considerably. Cur
tin suggested that he bring the medi-
cine-case and have his arm treated
there in the bright moonlight.
The Waterman was slow in answer
ing. Curtin began to think that the
natural craftiness of his race had coun-
seled him against the proposition,
when with a gesture of consent he
went to the companionway and disap-
reared. In a few moments he came
back. carrying the familiar case in his
hand. Then the doctors heart gave a
joyous leap.
AS soon as his hands were loos-
ened, he quickly opened the case and
| took out the vial he needed and the
hypodermic syringe He poured into
the syringe few drops of the color
less fluid from the vial. Next, with
hands that trembled with eagerness,
he unwound the bandage from the
wounded belt.
However, the doctor did not hest
tate. He resolutely grasped the prof
fered arm, and carefully inserted the
needle-point of the instrument into
the flesh so far above the wound that
| the powerful drug could have but little
harmful effect upon the irritated re-
gion. Then, with even pressure upon
the plunger, he completely emptied the
vial.
He withdrew the syringe, and keep
ing a strong grip upon his victims
arm, began to replace the bandage.
He worked slowly, methodically, oc-
cupying as much time as possible in
each step of the operation. The China
man soon began to show signs of a
strange, unnatural drOwsiness. His
head nodded on his broad shoulders,
his eyes were half closed, and he
opened them with difficulty. All an
once the Doctors vigilant eye saw
startled, apprehensive look fit across
! the countenance of the pirate. The
next instant the man gave a half in
articulate cry and snatched out his
! sword.
Sc Curtin threw up his hand to arrest
the fall of the blade, but suddenly, in
the twinkling Of an eye, the Chinaman
wavered, the upIifted arm dropped
nerveless, the sword fell gathering to
the deck from the grasp of the relaxed
fingers. AS the Waterman toppled over
under the influence of the drug, the
/ doctor caught him in his arms and
/ lowered him to the deck.
Then Curtin snatched up the sword,
! and with one slash Of the keen blade,
/ severed the ropes that bound his
ankles loosely together. He listened
/ just moment. All was still on the
| junk. He stopped down and finished
adjusting the bandage to the sense
| less outlaws wounded arm.
But he did not linger long on the
pirate craft. Throwing a rope over
the side of the junk, he slid down in
to the water and SWAN away. No
mishap came to him in the water, and
soon he was following the sands of
the beach to the northeast.
AT daybreak he came upon a Brit
ish gunboat lying a little way off the
shore, and in response to his signals,
boat put out and took him aboard
That evening he was landed in Swa-
tow. He found the missionary's son
very i'll with stubborn fever; but
Curtin took up the battle just in
time, and at the end of a week had
brought about the boys recovery
Youths Companion.