Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-08-15

a good knife and fork himself. Inc
food seemed to straighten his back
MIR. Mutt and his friend were tapping
their champagne too industriously to
see any significance in the change.
The meal crept steadily through its
courses. and the empty bottles grew on
the cabin floor. No n got drunk.
Captain Kettles own libations were
sparing. and the others had each q high
~exhilarated and ripe for mischief or
merrilnent. as might befall.
Say, cap" said the long man as he
dallied with his last strawberry tartlet.
isn't 1t so that you've got this fine
steamboat of yours ballasted with
sovereigns?"
IT'S So" said Kettle. "or something
very like that"
Your OWN"
oh. Lord. no. Just freight consisn-
ed to New Orleans and brought here
by that blowup l was telling you about
I suppose that o gentlemen'll ave no
objection to bearing a hand aboard ONE
now you are here? I'm a bit short man.
ned. and It'd be a pity to let freight
like thai rust for want OF lingering"
Tank grinned at mis- vis-a-vis and
then turned to the little skipper in the
swivel chair. NO" he said, Il don't
- oAiy va WAAi ~
but I'm afraid If we Clipped in we
couldn't sign on so far as Moo Orleans"
New Orleans be sugared!" cried
Captain Kettle. Haven't l spoke plain
enough already? Don't you under
stand all this racket's a blessed swindle?
The steamers going to nave the name
plate on her engine altered, and the
label on her stern changed, and a dif-
ferent pattern painted on her smoke
stacks. and a coat of gray clapped on
her outside. And then-then. when
she's so bedeviled her own builder
wouldn't know her, we'll run her round
to some South American port where
the least number OF questions will be
asked and sell her for what she'll fetch.
But only the steamer. mark you. l
she's carried the freight far
enough. Thatll be struck out Of her
here
You bet" said Matt. rubbing his
hands. Wen corral the dollars for
YOU right here till you come back. You
shall have our .niggers to s--stoke for
IL You can get EN- n can manage
en-. But they're fair toughs. Perhaps
you'd w-w-eaken when you came to
know EN- a bit"
I'D handle" retorted l-ettle, "a crew
OF old Ntck's firemen raw out Of the
pit II 1 was put to it. Don't you make
any error. I've kept my end up with
- - Il Lltl v Hut ~ 6Cd
with. BY James, he went on, with a
blow at the table, by James ia handle
you. Mr.. Mutt IL you were signed ON
board o me till you couldn't call your
soul our own"
You'd w-w-which?" snarled Mutt,
In his chair.
sit, you swi =" said his partner.
land be quiet. You tire me. What are
riling the gentleman for just when
we were getting so nice and friendly
with him?"
You femme alone!"
III smash YOU ugly little face IN n
you don't keep it shut"
The n eyed man tried to retort. but
his tnfirmity gagged him. and a spasm
OF Wild fury bit n all his muscles.
His friend waved a d risive finger.
There's IN image for you, cap. Look
at the creature. froze like a Chinese pet
dog: Look at him and Cont laugh.
And. say. ju:t reach me another bottle
Of that wine; 1t will be so good-thanks.
! wouldn't care IL 1 died drinking
this. Here's III blessed health. Good
old cap! You stick to me. and I'll stick
you. and IL Mr.. Billy Mutt can't
his tantrums and join US two
gentlemen like another gentleman. by
Jemima. we'll give him what he's got
Tor his share and set adrift in an
You spup-luttering fool! You boosey
drunken putty head!"
Tn not drunk" retorted Hank. '.but
I'm merry. Have q sup yourself. and
perhaps you'll be better company"
with which advise q liberal heel tan
The mar spranR to his feet, glowing
like a tiend. What followed was com.
pleted before q watch could tick twice.
once the gift Of speech did not de-
sert him.. The fatal words bounced
glibiy on his tongue, and Hanks venge-
fui hands shot out. In an instant the
pair were graphing together. and a
scooping thumb did its horrid work.
Then tearing himself away, eyeless. the
lesser man ran screaming biindly into
the stdeboard at the other side of the
cabin. His friend pitched stifiy for
ward and fell face downward among
the dishes lying there without 40 much
q " He was stone dead. With
Inc black handled knife that carved
their baking of pork Mutt had stabbed
him from h shoulder down throueh
heart.
THAT saves my cartridges" said
Kettle and took his cooked
from where it lodged between
nis knee and the under side Of the ta-
He passed swiftly out through the
pantry door and was just in time Tor
what he expected. The negroes.
alarmed by Nuts sh:ieks. were rush.
Ing from tho messroom to see what
had gone wrong. He charged and drove
them furtously back. They turned ma
ran before him. tumbling over ene an.
other In their scared haste. and then
0 up his place in the doorway.
them with steady weapon
and crisp. decisive tongue.
quick" he cried. quick, you scum.
knives and raxor ana whatever
you've got, or. by James, II q man Of
you stops to think. I'll blow his hraine
through tho porthole."
The negroes obeyed him In sullm.
frightened silence and stood witS Ell.
bows up facing him a. no covsssd
sne.n. Kettle watched the three WITH
eteeoy eye. but his ear wa 1870