Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-10-18

came to him. Ee laughed gloatinSiy
deep in his throat, as though the en-
counter were merely some rough sport
The girl shuddered. for the desperate
silence of the attacking men terrified
her more than Il din, and yet she
stayed. crouched against the wall.
DeNtry swung at dim target and
missing 1t. was whirled off his balance
Instantly his antagonist grappled with
him, and they fell to the floor, while a
third man shuffled about them. The
girl throttled scream.
"I'm goin' to kick I'm, Bill" the man
painted hoarsely. lie me fix i'm"
He swung his heavy shoe. and Bill
cursed with stirring eloquence.
COW! You're kickin' me! I've got
i'm safe enough. Tackle the big un."
Bits ally then started toward the
others, his body bent, his arms tlcxed.
| yet hanging loosely. He crouched be-
side the girl ignoring her, while she
heard the breath wheeling from his
lungs; then silently he leaped. Clients
ter had hurled n man from him, then
stepped back to avoid the others, when
he was seized from behind and felt the
mans arms wrapped about his neck.
the sailors legs locked about his
thighs. Now came the girls first
knowledge Of real fighting. The two
spun back and forth so closely in
twined as to he indistinguishable. the
others holding off. For what seemed
many minutes they struggled. the
| young man striving to reach his adj
versary, till they crashed against the
wall near her and she heard her cham
| pion's breath coughing in his throat
Mt the tightening grip of the sailor.
Fright held her paralyzed for she had
never seen men thus. A moment and
Glenistcr would be down beneath their
stamping feet-they would kick his
life out with their heavy shoes. AT
thought of it the necessity Of action
smote her like q blow in the face. Her
terror fell away. her shaking muscles
stiffened. and before realizing what
she did she had acted
The seaman's back was to her. She
reached out and gripped him by the
hair, while her fingers. tense as talons
sought his eyes. Then the first loud
sound of the baltic arose. The man
yelled in sudden terror, and the others
us suddenly fell back. The next in
slant she felt hand upon her shout
der and heard Dextry's voice.
"Are We hurt? No? Come on, then,
or We'll get left" He spoke quietly,
though his breath was loud. and, glanc-
ing down. she saw the huddied form of
the sailor whom he had fought.
THAT'S all right He amt hurt It's
Jap trick learned. Hurry up"
They ran swiftly down the wharf
followed by Glcnister and by the
groans Of the sailors in whom the lust
for combat had been quenched. AS
they scrambled up the Santa Maria's
gangplank a strip Of water widenet
between the boat and the pier.
"Close shave. that" painted Glenister
feeling his throat ginscrly, but
wouldn't have missed it for a spotted
pup"
1--WE been through b'iler explosions
and snowslides, not to mention tri
fin Jail delivery but fer real spriShtly
diversions l don't recall nothin' more
pleasin' than this" Dextrys enthus
asm was boyllke.
what kind Of men are your" the
girl laughed nervously. but got no an
swer
They led her to their deck cabin
where they switched on the electric
light. blinking at each other and a
their unknown guest.
They saw graceful and altogethc
attractive figure in a trim short Skin
and long tan boots. But what Clients
ter first saw was her eyes, large ant
gray, almost brown under the electric
light. They We're active eyes. IL
thought, and they flashed swift, com
prchensive glances at the two men
Her hair had fallen loose and crinklet
to her waist, all agleam. Otherwis,
she showed no sign of her recent or
deal.
Glenister had been prepared for thu
!
tier-beauty that may stun. but tina
has the polish and chill of new
ground bowie. Instead this girl witt
the calm, rcposeful face struck a not,
almost painfully different from her sur
roundings. suggesting countless pleas
ant things that had been strange t,
him for the past few years.
Pure admiration alone was patent il
, the older mans gaze
81 make oration," said he, ''tha
, you're the gamest little chap eve
. fought over, Me1ikin, Injun or white
What's the trouble?"
, II suppose you think I've done some
thing dreadful. don't you?" she said
ABut | haven't. had to get ava.
t from the Ohio tonight for-certain rea
, sons. I'll tell you all about it tomor
row. 1 haven't stolen anything, no
. poisoned the crew-really l hnven't.'
She smiled at them, ard Gleniste
found it impossible not to smile witt
, her, though dismayed by her feebl
explanation.
r "WclI, III wake up the steward an
J find place for you to so" he said q
length. you'll have to double up wit
] some Of the women, though. It's aM
r fully crowded aboard"
She laid OBTAINING hand on his arm
He thought he felt her tremble.
mo, no! l don't want you to
= that. They mustn't see me tonight.