West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-10-17

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. IL was battling
work. however, for In the darkness his
blows fell short or overreached.
Glenister. on the other hand. stood
careiessly. beating the men OF as they
came TO him. He laughed gloatingiy,
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
Dsxtry swung at dim target and,
missing IL. was whirled or his balance.
Instantly his antagonist grappled with
him. and they fell TO the floor, while a
third man shufiied about them. The
girl throttled scream.
"rm goin' TO kick I'm. BILL" the man
painted hoarsely. lie me Ak I'm"
He swung his heavy shoe. aud Bin
cursed with stirring eloquence.
"Ow! You're kickin' me, I've got
i'm safe enough. Tackle the big un."
Bilrs ally then started toward the
others, his body bent. his arms fexed.
yet hanging loosely. He crouched be-
side the girl. ignoring her. while she
heard the breath wheeling from his
lungs: then silently he leapcd Gienis-
ter had hurled man from him, then
stepped back 10 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 10 be indIstinguishable the
others holding of. For what seemed
many minutes they struggled. the
young man striving Ia reach his ad.
versary. tftl 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 II the necessity OF action
smote her like 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 60 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 I'm.
stant she felt hand upon her shoul-
der and heard Dextry's voice.
Are ye hurt7 Nor Come on. then,
or well get left" He spoke quietly.
though his breath was loud. and gianc-
Ing down, she saw the huddled form OF
the sailor whom he had fought
That's all right. lie mint hurt. It's
a Jap trick learned. Hurry up!"
They ran swiftly down the wharf,
followed by Glenlster 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 Gienister,
feeling his throat gingeriy. "but
wouldn't have missed II for spotted
pup"
I've been through b'iler explosions
and snowslldes, not to mention n tri-
fin Jail delivery. but fer renl sprightly
diversions don't recall nothIn' more
pleasIn' than this" Dextry's enthusI-
asm was boylIke.
What kind OF men are your" 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 a graceful and altogether
attractive figure In n trim short skirt
and long tan boots. But what Gienis-
ter first saw wns her eyes. large and
gray, almost brown under tile electric
light. They were active eyes. he
thought, and they flashed swift. com.
prehenslve glances at the two men
Her hair had fallen loose and criukled
to her waist, all aglcam. 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. bat that
has the polish aud chill of ncw
ground bowie. Instead this girl with
the calm, reposeful face struck a note
almost painfully different from her sur.
roundings, suggesting countless pleas
ant things that had been strange 90
aim for the past few years.
Pure admiration alone was patent I'm
.hc older mans gaze.
81 make oratlon," said he. that
you're the gamest little chap ever
fought over, Mexikln. Injun or white.
What's the troublef"
II suppose you think I've done some
thing dreadful, don't your" she said.
But haven't had TO get away
from the Ohio tonight for certain rea.
sons. I'll tell you all about II tomOr-
row. I haven't stolen anything, mol
poisoned the crew-really I haven't"
she smiled at them, and Glenlster
found II impossible not TO smile with
her. though dismayed by her feeble
explanation.
"well, I'll wake up the steward and
find place for you 10 CO." nc said at
length. You'll have to double up with
some Of the women, though. It's aw.
fully crowded aboard"
she laid a OBTAINING hand on his arm.
Ho thought he felt her tremble.
mo. mol I don't want you 20 do
that. They mustn't see me tonight !
know I'm acting strangely and all that
but it's happened so quickly I haven't
found myself yet I'll tell you tomor.
row, though, really. Don't let any one
see me or Il will spoil everything.