The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1907-08-01

q
In his medicine-case was vial con-
tanning a quantity Of q certain very
powerful anesthetic. Ee had told the
pirate that he would dress the wound
again when necessary. II on this ex-
cuse ne could get his hands freed and
the case In his possession. why would
IL not be easy to administer a few
drops OF the drug by hypode!mic in.
lection. and almost Immediately send
tie Waterman into coma that would
last for hours-render him uncon-
scious before he could rebind his cap
tive's hands or think 70 make cutlery?
Curtin fully realized the danger at.
tendant upon so audacious Z 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 rezt
Immediately he hailed The watchman
and asked him abou; his arm. The
tall pirate paused and replied that
it still panied him considerably. Cur
tin suggested that he bring the meGi-
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 crafiiness Of his race had coun'
seled him against the proposition,
when with a gesture Of consent he
went TO the companionvay and disap-
Feared. 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 locs-
ened, he quickly opened the case and
took out the vial he needed and the
hypodermic syringe. He poured into
the syringe a 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, AID 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 irr.tated re-
gion. Then, with even pressure upon
the plunger, he completely emptied the
vial.
He withdrew the syringe. and keep.
ing strong grip upon his victims
arm. began 70 replace the baadage.
He worked slowly, methodically. &C.
ourying as much time as possible in
each step Of the operation. The China
man sooa began TO show signs Of
strange, unnatural d-owsiness. His
head nodded on his broad shoulders,
his eyes were half closed, and he
opened them with diHculty AL an
once the doctors vigiianJ eye saw
startled, apprehens.ye look fit across
the covl-enance of the pirate. The
next instah: the man gave a half in
articulate cry and saa;ched out his
sword.
Curtin threw Up his hand TO arves.
the fall Of the blade, but suddenly. in
the twinklilg OF an eye, the Chinaman
wavered, the uplifted arm dropped
rerveless, the sword fell Gathering TO
the deck from the grasp Of the relaxed
fingers. AS the watchman toppled over
under the influence Of the drug, the
doctor caught him in his arms and
lowered him 10 the deck.
Then Curtin snatched up the sword,
end with one slash If 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 III
70 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 Bit
:sh gun5oat lying a little way off the
shore, and liz response TO his signals,
q boat put GU; aad took him aboard.
That evening lie was landed in Swa-
tow. He found the missionary's son
very III with a stubborn fever; but
Curtin took up the battle just in
time, and at the end Of week had
brought about the boys recovery
Youths COMPANION.