The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-22

that the black cluster on her forward deck loomed larger than any coyote.
 Six reports from the pursuers came In quick succession, splinters flew; Murphy, at the wheel. cursed; Salters stepped be- hind the wheel house. covetng the cover of seven -eighths inch pine Masters. a fine target in the full blaze of the moon, spun his forty-four by the trigger guard on his index finger and measured the distance again.
 Them fellers is gainin' snarled Sal ters, the ingyne ain't working like she d oughter. Why don't you open up on 'em. Masters, you're such a dandy with a gun?"
 All right, old pard---" answered Mas ters, indifferently. He sauntered aft and stood by the taffrail, reckless. light heart ed, in a rollicking mood born of this new, strange exhilarating experience, the salt icy spray, the tumbling tide-rip , through which they swashed he threw his weapon above his head and stood a sharp target against the glaring white of the deckhouse.
 Three shots from the tug cut loose. Look out, boys," called Masters, and be- gan 10 shoot into the bunch' as he would have said. Men dropped behind the bulwarks, some of their own accord. some of hls; then. when he had emptied his big revolver, he noticed that the beat of his own engine had altered fin rhymth. Previously 1t had sung: 'Juba-this, Juba- that Juba-had- -yellow-cat' What it now said was: "Juba- this, Juba-that. Juba- this, Juba that" and no mention what ever was made of the yellow cat ln- terested in this phenomenon, Masters looked into the engine room and saw Salters lowering over the machine, span ner in one hand. oil can in the other, scraping wires with his knife, and soon he noticed that the oyster tug, whatever it might be, got no nearer
 "She ain't sparlSn' right-them dyna- mos is on the bum" he heard Sal ters complaining below; and then 1t oc- cured to him that the woman in the cabin might be frightened at the sound of firing, and he hastened to reassure her.
 As he went below she shrank away from him: it was an inperceptible movement. but his frontlersmans sensbilities had in many ways the keen edge of childs.
 Don't you be afraid. ma'am," he said comfortingly; that shootin was just a little fun There's some boys a-chasin us on d sort of little tugboat. and since they got shootn l kinder returned the compliment"
 "Was-was any one hurt?" she asked tremulously.
 T reckon not, l wasn't uyln very hard. It's most too pretty a night to kill people" he continued cheerfully
 'Too bad it's so cold though; you'd ought to set up there and SC them big waves Why even this ships beginin to rock, There d you feel that?' he cried excitedly. Did you feel her tip? There she goes agenn He leaned toward her. his eyes sparkling like a boys, one hand steadying himself against the bukhead The woman stared at him curiously. You are not used to the sea? she asked, and her voice had lost It's trembe
 Masters laughed. Me? I never saw 1t until today. l declare, I never did think they was that much water in the world" He laughed again. His face darkened suddenly and he turned away. embar- ra assed.
 I'm a cattleman." he said. "I got in some trouble out there and then met up with Salters who was laying low down in Sonora. He got me into this. not that r m kickin' any" he went on hastily. "only I wouldn't ha' stood for carryin off any ladies if I'd knowed it in time. But never mind. maam, don't you worry ] none I'll make 1t my particular busl-