The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1907-05-03
THE IRON PIRATE
a Plain TaIe Of Strange
Hoppsnin6S on roe Sec
~ max pEnBERToH
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Temps ct intervals, and having the doors
Of many rooms on the righs-hand side
OF II. Several of these dserx were open
and ! saw the interiors of well-furnished
bedrooms. of smaller sitting rooms, and
of beautifully furnished billiard room.
At the end Of the passage We descended a
flight of stairs to another landing. This
proved the way to a small stretch OF
beach. and here l found several substan-
tial buildings Of stone, evidently for the
nse OF Blacks company. The largest OF
the houses seemed to be kind of hall.
well lighted BY arc lamps. Into this we
passed, lifting heavy curtain Of skins:
and seated there, on all sorts Of rough
lounges and benches were the men had
seen in Paris. with City or sixty others.
no less ferocious looking.
Men," said Black, Il want to tell ycu
that we've GOT stranger with us; but
he's here to stay, and he's nv charge"
Has be jinedT asked a blear-eyed
man. who had eyed me with much curios-
ity; but the captain answered:
That's my affair, and you keep your
tongue still If you don't want me 60 cut
1t ont: he'll join Us by-andlby."
That's agen rules, said Roaring John.
"Agen what?. asked Black in TOM
of thunder.
"Agen rules" replied Roaring John;
his man broke my Jaw, and I'll pay
him. or, you guess"
Maybe you're right. No stranger
stays here unless he joins. excep. them
from the mines but I've my own ideas
on that, and when the time comes I'll
abide b. what's done. If any man would
like to dictate 10 me. LET him step ont
The fellow skunk away under the
threat. Black was master beyond all
question. and he protected me.
We went hack with him to the long pas
sage where ] had seen the doors OF bed
chambers, and there he babe me good
night. The doctor showed me into q room
cut In the solid rock, but with windows
towards the sea. But first he said:
You must have been born under a
lucky star: you're the FIRST man to whom
BLACK ever gave IN hours grace"
CHAPTER XVI.
The bed III which lay was wondrous
soft and downy: and the cold gave me
deep sleep. 30 that awoke at late hour
10 find the sun streaming through my
rock window. and the negro telling me
that my bath was ready. When we re-
turned to my sleeping place, found the
bed calrtained on. leaving eommodious
apartment, with books, armchairs, 4 writ
ing table and fireplace, In which coal
Gre burned brightly. But the greater sur
prise was the view from my window
over 4 snnlit ford. away to mountain
peaks, snow-capped and shining and be-
tween them to . vista Of an endless snow
plain, white aud dazzling.
The doctor came To me while was al
breakfast. aThe captain sends yon his
be said. 'sThe men are In
clin4i 70 resent the exception that has
been made HI yonr ease. am afraid it
will lead to trouble unless you choose to
close with the oGer that Black makes to
you."
How kas an exception been made In
my case. and what i the offer?"r
Captain Black has brought thirty or
forty Enxlishmen OF your position to this
place within the last three years: not one
Of them has lived twenty hours from the
time he ct foot in the rock house. The
time will come when you must sign an
agreement such as have signed. and
theee men hare signed--and l don't be-
lieve that you viii refuse"
"You lay II all down very clearly"
replied. @but ron can have my answer
now II ron Ike"
BLACK won't hurry you. You can't do
better than take things easy. and - the
place.
The idea Of inspecting TIE placs pleased
me. followed Doctor 0sbart to the
beach. The coast-line was lofty and awe
inspiring. / stood entranced with the
yiror born Of the life-giying breeze. At
last he touched me upon the shoulder, and
pointed 10 whore the nameless ship lay
snngiy noored.
Look" he said. aat the instrument Of
our power. Il not she magnificent? with
her We defy the world. Aboard her, We
are superior 10 fleets and nations: We
laugh AZ the fastest cruisers and tbs big
gest warships."
lie spoke with extraordinary enthusi-
ssm. The great ship was indeed bean
teous object. lying there golden. yet swan
like, the guns uncovered a. the men work
I'd nj them.
s.She Ii wonderful Ship said 1. .'and
built of metal never met with"
Her hull II constructed Of phosphor-
hronse." he answered. -and she Is driven
BIZ gas. II was one OF Blackss inspsra-
TONS 10 cheese Greenland for his hole
Il y enc Il the few comparatively unin-
hahited counfaies In the world where coal
Is 10 be had
Who are your minersss asked.
Honest British seamen whose Voyages
hare been Interrupted. We give them the
alternative 81 work 10 the mine. Or their
liberty on the snow youder.~
sRnt how can they live in such i place 7"
'-Thsy don't live" said ~. 'srhey die
Iiks vse1in.s
CHAPTER XVII
Fee rome days saw no more Of Doctor
0xhsrt or Of Captain BLACK. Once Or
frrzfM I eaw fka ssnx ssEatsr. Eyes and