Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-02-28
cigarette butt into the sea and turned

cigarette butt into the sea and turned
back.
well, wish you Joy Of your double
wages" he Knocked.
So he knew that after all! How
much more Of his ignorance was pre-
tended l had no means of guessing
His eye cleaned sarcastically as he
sauntered toward the companionway.
Handy Solomon was at the wheel,
steering easily with one foot and an
elbow. Els steel hook lay fully ex-
posed, glittering in the sunlight OAR
row glanced at 1t curiously and at the
mans headgear.
Well, my genial pirate" he tlrawl-
ed, IL you had line to Mt that hook
you'd be equipped for fishing" The
mans teeth barred like an animals, but
barrow went on easily as though un-
conscious Of giving offense. "If were
you, I'd have It arranged SO the hook
would turn backward as well as for
ward. 1t would be handler for some
things-nghting, for instance"
He passed on down the companion
Handy Solomon glared after him, then
down at his hook. He bent his arm
this way and that, drawing the hook
toward him softly, as cat does her
claws. His eyes cleared, and look Of
admiration crept into them.
by God, he's rightr' he muttered,
and after moment: I've wore that
ten year and never thought of It. The
little son of gum"
He remained staring for a moment
at the hook. Then he looked up and
caught my eye. His own turned quiz
zicnl. He shifted his quid and began
to hum:
''Ihe bos'n laid aioft aloft laid he
Blow high, blow low, what care we!
There's ship upon the wind ard
wreck upon the lee,'
Down on the coast of the high Bar
bare-e-e.'
We had entered the trades and were
making good time. l was content to
stay on deck, even in my watch be-
low. The wind was strong, the waves
dashing, the sky very blue. From I'M
der our forefoot the flying fish sped;
the monsters pursued them. A tingle
OF spray was In the air. 1t was all
very pleasant. The red handkerchief
around Solomon's head made pretty
spot of color against the blue of the
sky and the darker blue of the sea.
Stlhouetted over the fiawless white of
the deckhouse was the sullen, polished
profile of the niger. Beneath me the
ship swerved and leaped, yielded and
recovered. breathed deep and saw
cutlasses In harmless shadows. 1t was
two years ago. was young then.
AT the mess hour stood in doubt.
However, was Informed by the cap
tail's falsetto that was to eat in the
cabin. As the only other officer. ate
alone. after the others had finished.
helping myself from the dishes left on
the table. 1t was handsome cabin,
well kept, with white woodwork spot
lessly clean, leather cushions - much
better than one would expect. / after
ward found that the neatness of this
cabin and of the three staterooms was
maintained by the nigger-at the peril
of his neck. A rack held dozen rifles,
five revolvers and, at last, my cutlass-
es. l examined the lot with interest.
They were modern Irresponsible new
high power 30-40 box magazine rife,
shooting government ammunition-and
had been used. The revolvers were Of
course the old ass. This was an ex-
traordinary armament for peaceable
schooner Of $50 tons burden.
The rest of the cabins fittings were
not remarkable. BY the confguration
OF the ship guessed that two of the
staterooms must be rather large. 1
could make out voices within.
Z On deck ! talked with Captain Sell
over.
..she's snug craft" approached
him.
He nodded.
You have armed her we'll"
He mpttered something Of pirates
and the China seas
! laughed.
"4ou have arms enough to give your
crew about two magazine rifles apiece,
unless you filed all your berths for
ward
Captain selover looked me direct in
the eye.
Talk straight, Mr.. Eagen," said he.
What is this ship and where is she
bound7" I asked, with equal simple
fly.
He considered.
..As Tor the ship" be replied at
length, y don't mind saying. You're
my frst officer, and on you I depend IL
It comes lowell, the small arms be-
low. Il the ships a little under the
shade, why, SO are you. She's by way
Of being called manner of hard
names by some people. do not see 1t
myself. 1t is q matter Of conscience.
II you would ask some interested,
they would call her a smuggler, n
thief, wrecker and all the other evil
titles in the catalogue She has taken
in Chinks by way Of Santa Cruz is
land, II that is smuggling. The coun-
try Is free, and Chink Is a man. Be-
sides, It paid $40 head for the land
ing. She has carried In cargo or SO
Of junk. It was lying on the bench
where fool master had piled 1t, aud
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