Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-08-28

then the blot split up, and forms
plunged outward falling heavily. Again
the sailors rushed. attempting to clinch.
They massed upon Dextry, only to
grasp empty air, for he shifted with re-
markable agility, striking bitterly, as
an old wolf snaps. 1t was bathing
work, however, for in the darkness his
blows fell short or overreached.
Glenister, on the other hand, stood
carelessly. beating the men off as they
came to him. He laughed gloatingly,
deep in his throat, as though the en-
counter were merely some rough sport.
The girl shuddered. for the desperate
silence Of the attacking men terrified
her more than din, and yet she
stayed, crouched against the wall.
Dextry swung at dim target and,
missing 1t, was whirled off his balance.
Instantly his antagonist grappled with
him, and they fell to the floor, while
third man shuffled about them. The
girl throttled scream.
"I'rn goin' to kick i'm, BILL" the man
painted hoarsely. lie me fix i'm"
He swung his heavy shoe, and Bill
cursed with stirring eioquence.
COW! You're kickin' me! I've got
i'm safe enough. Tackle the big un."
Bills ally then started toward the
others, his body bent, his arms flexed.
yet hanging loosely. He crouched be-
side the girl, ignoring her. while she
heard the breath wheeling from his
Il
ter had hurled man from him, then
stepped back to avoid the others, when
he was seized from behind and felt the
mans arms wrapped about his neck,
the sailors legs locked about his
thighs. Now came the girls first
knowledge Of real fighting. The two
spun back and forth so closely In
twined as to be indistinguishable the
others holding off. For what seemed
many minutes they struggled, the
young man striving to reach his ad.
versary, till they crashed against the
wall near her and she heard her cham
pion's breath coughing in his throat
at the Tightening grip Of the sailor.
Fright held her paralyzed, for she had
never seen men thus. A moment and
Glenister would be down beneath their
stamping feet-they would kick his
life out with their heavy shoes. At
thought of it the necessity Of action
smote her Ike blow in the face. Her
terror fell away, her shaking muscles
stiffened, and before realizing what
she did she had acted.
The seaman's back was to her. She
reached out and gripped him by the
hair, while her fingers, tense as talons,
sought his eyes. Then the first loud
sound Of the battle arose. The man
yelled in sudden terror, and the others
as suddenly fell back. The next In
slant she felt hand upon her shout
der and heard Dextry's voice.
care We hurt? No? Come on, then,
or we'll get left" He spoke quietly,
though his breath was loud, and, glanc-
Ing down, she saw the huddled form Of
the sailor whom he had fought.
THAT'S all right He amt hurt. It's
a Jap trick l learned. Hurry up"
They ran swiftly down the wharf,
followed by Glenister and by the
groans Of the sailors in whom the lust
for combat had been quenched. AS
they scrambled up the Santa Maria's
gangplank a strip Of water widened
between the boat and the pier.
'Close shave, that" painted Glenfster,
feeling his throat gingerly, "but l
wouldn't have missed it for spotted
pup"
"I've been through b'iler explosions
and snowslides, not to mention a tri-
fin Jail delivery, but fer real sprightly
diversions l don't recall nothin' more
pleasin' than this" Dextry's enthusi
asm was boylike.
what kind Of men are you?" the
girl laughed nervously, but got no an
swer.
They led her to their deck cabin,
where they switched on the electric
light, blinking at each other and at
their unknown guest.
They saw graceful and altogether
attractive figure in trim short skirt
and long tan boots. But what Glenis
ter first saw was her eyes, large and
gray, almost brown under the electric
light. They We're active eyes, he
thought, and they flashed swift, COM
prehensive glances at the two men.
Her hair had fallen loose and crinkled
to her waist, all agleam. Otherwise
she showed no sign Of her recent or
deal.
Glenister had been prepared for the
type Of beauty that follows the FROM
tier-beauty that may stun, but that
has the polish and chill of new
ground bowie. Instead this girl with
the calm, reposeful face struck note
almost painfully different from her sur
roundings suggesting countless pleas
ant things that had been strange to
him for the past few years.
Pure admiration alone was patent In
the older mans gaze.
81 make oration," said he, chat
you're the gamest little chap ever
fought over, Mexikin, Injun or white.
What's the trouble?'
II suppose you think I've done some
thing dreadful, don't you?" she said.
But I haven't. had to get away
from the Ohio tonight for-certain rea-
sons. I'll tell you all about it tomor-
row. I haven't stolen anything, nor
poisoned the crew-really | haven't"
She smiled at them, and Glenister
found it impossible not to smile with
her, though dismayed by her feeble