Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1907-05-16
T H E SECOND
DANDY CHATTER
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CHAPTER xxlf-tcontinued.)
By Tom Gallon.

recognized it at the first glance as the
caravan in which he had escaped from
Chelmsford. The captain and the
melancholy man followed him in, the
latter closed the door carefully, while
the former produced from a little lock
er various bottles and glasses, with a
smiling face.
4 Not word, Phil, my boy" said
the captain, In a hoarse whisper, till
SIGH time as you gets a drop of some
thing warmin' inside yer. You've 'ad
SIGH an uncommonly lively time late
", an ave bin tumbled about to that
extent, as it's a marvel ter me ii you
ave any system left at all. So down
with it, Phil my lad with the noble
sentiment feels like boy pirate
meself- Confusion to the perfect
| Il am more grateful to you, old
friend, than ! can say" said Philip,
'and II / can get these bracelets off |
shall be able to drink or to do any
! thing else with greater ease. How
ever, I'll drink the toast with all my
heart" He raised the glass in both
his manacled hands. with a laugh.
We'll ave them little ornyments
orr in art a jiffy," said The captain,
diving into locker again. We
guessed you might have something of
| that sort, as a little delicate attention
from your friends, so we pervided ac-
kcordin'. 'Ere's a file from our andy
mans toolbag, an reckon I'd best
ave go at the rivets.'
The captain set to work at once;
nor would he utter word in reply to
any questions until the handouts were
removed. 1t took some considerable
time, and while the fling went on
Philip noticed that the melancholy
man kept his eyes fixed upon the floor,
only occasionally indulging in that ex-
traordinary cough with which he had
been afflicted at the Chatter Arms.
at last, the handouts being safely
put out OF sight, the captain, turning
to the melancholy man. said abruptly:
Now then, Skerritt, my boy, let's
know ow this ere affair was brought
OFF, for the information of Mr.. Chatter.
This, Phil" he added, is "A man as is
to be trusted with anything I'M
told gold to w'islly--a man as former
ly sailed under me an as Joined me,
as sort of deputy clown. I'll own
added the captain, in a hoarse whis-
per behind his hand to Philip-"I'll
own e don't look it-but 'e's got a
way with I'm, wen 'e's painted up, as
would fairly astonish yer.
Mr.. Skerritt Immediately plunged
into an account of his doings, and OF
how he contrived to meet Philip; ex-
planning it all with many of those Curl
Gus sounds before referred to, and
with much rolling of one melancholy
eye. He had curious funeral voice,
as though it had sunk below the usual
level, at some period OF great de-
preston, and had never been got up
again.
s'The cap'n 'ayin' passed the word
as there was a shipmate in distress,
n started out fer ter sight i'm; got
wind that e might be expected in
Bambe wind an tide bein', so ter
speak, favorable. The cap'n ere comes
as far as the crossroads wi me, an
wy cAldAEC0s tl0l - sCdln q
fair rumpus In the village, an got up
jus in time to see the perliceman a.
jbein pounded in the ribs by ole gent
In his stockin' feet, an Mr.. Chatter a.
5layin about proper among the lubbers
as was a-tryin' to old i'm. shoves
imeself for'rard, an manages ter git
with i'm an the perliceman wen they
E<>,n
knows" Here Mr.. Skerritt laughed
again, in that peculiar fashion of his,
and looked more melancholy than
ever.
But, captain" urged Philip. you
don't seem to realize what d risk YOU
run in thus defying the law and be-
sfriending a man who is an outlaw. M
debt to yos, Is greater than i can pay;
and I cannot permit you to run any
further danger Oh my account
Old ard old ard, messmate,' y
cried the captain. 1Osses or no osses
circuses or no circuses-I stan by
u friend. 81 confess | don't understan'
the business an I don't like you a.
running under false colors; but
you've give me Yer WOfu as OW you're
innocent, an I'll continue for to res
cue yer, once a week. If necessary
It'll further orders don't take no
notice of objections or risks rescue
yer Will. agin yer will or with It. An
now, Phil. as we starts early tosmorrers
,inoriain, I d advise yer to turn IN an
git wot sleep yer can. An y In order:
that yer may sleep with q easy mind,
there's some one as I "a like yer ter
see afore II battens yer down for the
nigh \,
So saying. the worthy captain open
ed the door cautiously and crept down
the steps. In a few moments the door
was opened again BY another hand,
{ and q light figure darted in and fell
at Philips feet, III was Clara ssigggs.s
He was SO astonished and so de-
lighted ait this unexpected meeting
that as he raised her from the floor
and looked into her eyes. he bent his
head and kissed her, quite on an Inn Il i;
pulse. sIa
deaa ~, !, s he said this Is the
best part Of All to know that you are
safe and well and n good hands Tell