Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-18

around the waist from be nd. It is part
of. the jiu-jitsu taught the ! murai-quite a
different proposition from the ordinary
policeman jiu-jitsu." 1 picked it up from
a friend in the nobility. 1t came in very
handy now. and by good luck roll OF the
ship helped me. In a moment l stood free.
and Perdosa was picking himself out of the
scuppers.
The expression of astonishment was fairly
well done-I will say that for him-but 1
was prepared for histrionics
''Senorr' he gasped. "Eet is you! Gao
rosanta Maria! l thought you was dat Sol
omon Pardon me, senior! Pardon Have
1 hurt your
He approached me almost wheedling. I
could have laughed at the villain. 1t was
all so transparent. He no more mistook me
for Handy Solomon than he felt any real
enmity for that person. But being angry.
and perhaps a little scared, 1 beat him to
his quarters with a Delaying pin.
On thinking the matter over however,
failed to see all the ms and outs of it. 1
could understand a desire to get rid of me;
there would be one less of the afterguard.
and then. too. 1 knew too much Of the
mems sentiments. if not of their plans.
But why all this elaborate farce of the
mock quarrel and the alleged mistake?
Could 1t be to guard against possible fall
ure? l could hardly think it worth while.
My only theory was that they had wished
to test my strength and determination. The
whole affair. even on that supposition. was
childish enough, but l referred the exag-
SeTdIeu cunning TO Handy solomon, ana
considered it quite adequately explained. 1t
| is minor point. but subsequently learned
that this surmise was correct. 1 was to be
saved because none Of the conspirators I'M
derstood navigation.
The next morning / approached Capt. Sc
| lover.
Captain" said I. IT think it my duty to
| report that there is trouble brewing among
! the crew.
There always is" he replied. unmoved
But this Is serious. Dr. Schermerhorn
| came aboard with a chest which the men
| think holds treasure. The other evening
that he could easily fill the box with dia-
| monds. OF course. he was merely Illus
| trating the value Of some scientific expert
ment. but Robinson thinks. and has made
| something to make diamonds with. I am
sure they intend to get hold OF it, The af-
fair is coming to head
| Capt. Selover listened almost indifferently
II came back from the islands last year. -
| he piped. with 100000 worth Of pearls.
There was sixteen in the crew, and every
| man of them was blood hungry for them
| pearls. They had three of four shndies and
killed one man over the proper way to d.
vide the loot after they had got 1t. They
| didn't get 1t. Why? He drew his powerful
figure to its height and spread his thick
arms out in the luxury Of stretching.
| Because their captain was Ezra Selover!
Well, Mr.. Eagen," he went on crisply.
Capt Ezra Seloyer Is their captain, and
they know it! They'll talk and palaver and
git into. dark corners, and sharpen their
knives. and perhaps fight 1t out as to which
ones going to work the monkey-doodle bus
mess In the doctors chest, and which one
going to tie up the sacks of them diamonds,
but they won't git any farther as long as
Capt. Ezra is on deck"
Yes" l objected, "but they mean bust
ness. Last night in the squall one of them
tried to throw me overheard.
Capt Selover grinned.
What did you do?' he asked
"Hazed him to his quarters with Delay
ing pin"
''WeII, that's all settled, then, isn't It?
What more do you want?"
1 stood undecided.
Il can take care Of myself" the went on.
"You ought to take care Of yourself. Then
there's nothing more to do
He unused a moment.
you have a gun, of course? he inquired.
II forgot to ask.
mo" said 1.
He whistled.
"Well, no wonder you feel sort of lost
and hopeless! Here, take this. it'll make q
man of YOU
He gave me Colts 40, the barrel of
which had been filed down to about two
inches of length 1t was a most extraor-
binary weapon, but effective at short range
Here's a few loose cartridges" said he
Now go easy. This Is no warship; and we
amt got men to experiment on. Lick 'em
with your fists or pin, if you can: and if
you do shoot, for Gods sake just wing em
a little. They're awful good lads but a
little restless"
l took the gun and felt better. With 1t