The Washington times., 1908-12-30

lon-way, seized the scattered documents
lying on the table. crumpled them in his
hand. and gaining the deck once more,
tossed them feverishly overheard
Then ne tumbIed in a swoon to the
planking. and lay there as one dead.
With his return 20 consciousness.
hswever. strange dreams and half
recoIIecuons interfused curiously with
his disordered perceptions.
At times he would be racing down
the cliffs with Helene ahead OF the
infuriated high priest at Vartra
Island. Again, the scene Of the chase
would be changed to Upper Broadway,
and he would find himself unable to
run on account OF tight shoes.
But always he was being pursued,
and always his heart throbbed agon-
lzedly at the possibility Of being
caught.
And then as he awoke TO a fuller
senslDility the memory came OF what
It was had seemed to be pursuing him
and he raised his head TO glance tim
orously back over the waves now red
denfng in the flush OF dawn
Nothing. thank Heaven! Deluslon or
reality. image Of delirium or goblin
damned" the old captain had vanished
with the night. Satisfied by the return
OF his pape-S, he
Angels and ministers OF grace! What
was that?
Clutching at the roof Of the deckhouse
70 support himself. Harrison glared
aghast toward the east.
1t had not gone, then, this thing which
was dogging him? It had simply
changed It's guise
No longer did the Old captain walk
the water, but followed him in a phan-
tom boat. See. there IS rose against the
sky over in the golden arch OF morning
"a counterpart Of the Helene in every
/ respect.
It was after him, too. There could be
no doubt OF that; for already it had
squared away on a long port tack which
would bring It in his wake.
Frenziedly, Jim sprang to the sheet
and set every inch OF his little square
OF canvas to the wind. How he cursed
himself now for wasting the night IN
idleness, Instead OF bending on the new
sails
But the spector should not catch him,
ne vowed desperately. his breath COM
Ing IN painting sobs. the cold sweat
dripping from his brow.
Hither and thither he ziS-za cEed the
boat upon a CrazIly erratic course. He
grasped at any expedient to get away
Into the wind he sailed, out Of It, for
ward. back. starboard and port, any
thing to elude that grim pursuit,
Yet is was all in vain, as he had
known IL must be from the start. How.
indeed could he hope 70 outmatch that
cOnsummate master Of seamanshlp.
Captain Ezra?
Foot by foot minute by minute. the
phantom follower overhauIed him, and
now he could hear the rumblinc rail
OF the mad skipper commanding him.
to stop.
"Ye won't eh27 Il threatened. Then
III sail right over ye. and ok you
up as I pass. For I need a crew. and
I'm gOin' TO get YOU, I'm goin' TO get
you. I'm goin' 70 get your
on. if he only had a weapon,
thought jim. he would at least en-
deavOr TO put a stop to that madden
ing sing-sOng.
There vas the shotgun IN the
cabin, but he did not dare so after
that He knew If ne once clasped it
in his hands, he could not resist the
same impulse which had seized his
predecessor on the sloOp.
I'm goin' to get you. I'm goin' 10
get you. I'm goin' TO get yOui" the
mocking chant rang nearer and near
er.
After all. was not the shotgun the
onIv way Of escape2 Was not any
thing better than 10 have those cold.
spectral hands clutching at ones
throat?
He half-turned toward the companion
wa, but as he did so, remembered the
slinE-shot in his pocket That at least
would give him one more chance It.
had stayed the venomOus high priest,
might it not also possibly halt this
other relentless pursuer?
He left the wheel to It's own devices,
and hurrying amidships. carefully TT
ted the stone TO the pouch OF his rude
weapon.
Then poising himself, he waited until
the captain's baleful shape should pre-
sent a fair target, for the two boats
were now not half q cables length
apart.
neared for a moment behind the main
sail came into view again as the slOop
swung about. and with a gasp Jim let
the sIIng-shot fall from his astOnished
hand.
Blinking and staring. he gaped in
credulousIy. for the form upon the
other boat was evidently no malignant
wrath OF his former partner, but solid
aesb-and-blood stranger. smiling a
CHEEKY. II somewhat bewiIdered greet
ing
Nor was the hail he raised that hate
frl I'm going to get you, I'm goin' to
get you, I'm going to get your
Instead, he called across with a
slightly injured air:
What's the matter with you, Sany-
how? Are you such surly cuss that
Won can't even pass the time OF day
with a fellow navigator? saw you
were trying to get away. but I was
bound I'd have a look at you, any
way"
Who are your" stammered Jim. still
scarcely able TO believe In the mans
reality
",,ie?' with his gay laugh why,
not TO know me is TO argue yourself
unknown. I am Thomas Kirby, owner.
master, and crew Of the sloop Streak
OF Foam, now halfway on her voyage
around the world"