The Washington times., 1908-12-14

1
! his eye, lis dangerous.
Unconscious of this soliloquy, how
| ere. Jim continued 10 gaze after the
| steamer. He saw Helene give that part
| ing wave Of her hand, saw her 20 be
/ low; but still he watched in the hops
| that she might reappear.
He watched, indeed, until the vessels
hull was almost below the horizon. and
| only ceased then because he was inter
rupted by a sharp "Avast there, ye lub
oer," from the captain, and ducked
just in time - escape being Knocked
overheard by the boom as the sloop
came about on the other tack.
THE Etruric Is out Of sight" he
said, little dejectedly. when he had
recovered his equilibrium and again
glanced through the glass.
Yes" returned the captain, she'll
be of Nantucket tonight. an by tomor-
row, she'll be cut OF sight of land. It'll
be many long day, lad. afore we sight
her again. Al maybe all the better for
you," he added, under his breath. "con-
siderin' the turn she seemed 10 give
ye."
The two sat down to their first supper
afioat that night in the utmost good
tiAohSAAAp- anu lillSs II may mere Dt It-
marked, continued throughout the most
OF the voyage.
Jim. who was one OF the least quar-
Ielsome fellows In the world, soon
learned 10 gage the phases Of the cap
tain's uncertain temper, and TO keep out
Of the way when be saw a storm brew
ing.
As for the rest, he knew something
Ar
Michigan. and since he rapidly i'm
proved under the Old sailors tutelage.
he was soon able TO stand watch and
watch about with the other. In the
culinary department he shone, too, and
many an appetizing meal did he turn out
for them on the little oil stove in the
tiny galley.
In fact the voyage across the Atlantic
was delightful, only disturbed by one
pptoward incident.
This was when they were about two
days out from Fayal. one beautiful
moonlight evening. and as Jim was aft
erward to discover. the time of the full
moon was when the captains temper
was apt TO be most variable.
They had been lOunging on the deck
taking in a friendly way over the find
ing of the pOcketbook which had brought
them together.
90 Describe the cargo says TO you.
recOunted the captain; "an' back ye
come at me 'Twenty-seven dollars in
money you says, two tens, a FIVE, an
a couple o. ones: a promissory note foI
one hundred dollars. not worth the
paper it's written on; two certificates OF
Santa Teresa mining stock. ditto in
| value
by the way ne interrupted himself
how d you know that there stock IS
so ditto, as you say?"
How do I know laughed Jim,
why, man, the stuff has been a drug
on the market for years. surely ought
to know. for Z am a director OF the
company"
"a director of the company"
'Oh. it's nothing 10 swell up over.
They merely elected me, guess. be-
cause they couldn't get anybody else to
serve. And 1 have never attended a
meeting. Ed Bailey, their secretary,
did get me In there one day to sign up
a lot of minutes, but I have not more
idea OF what was in them than you
have
We'll" and the captain stubbornly
shook his head, If the stock amt no
good. what de ye mean by praisin' It
up so high In your Advertisements. an
tellin' how much it'll earn for a feller?''
"Praising II up in our advertise
ments?" cried Jim. I'VE have never
advertised. You must have got the
Santa Teresa mixed up with some other
mining company, captain"
Mixed Up Eothin'," Rngrily. Amt
I had circular after circular from EN-
seen one Of 'em today when 1 was
turning over my papers. an that's
what made me think to speak of It 70
you"
Circulars Regarding the Santa Te-
resa mine?'' repeated Jim. still incred-
ulous.
"Yes, sir. the Santa Teresa of Du-
range. Mexico. II you don't believe me.
I'll get it and show you. It's Iayin
right on top Of my papers
Don't you mind, captain" for the
old fellow was at the wheel. 4 can get
TO your locker easier than you, and I'll
fetch tt
Suiting the action to the word. Jim
turned to step into the cabin, but hear
ing a light sound close behind. whirled
just in time to escape a murderous blow
from long knife in the captains hand.
"rH teach ye to tamper with my
papers" snarled the old fellow, his eyes
giistening like a cats. Il know what
ye're up to- You want 10 steal my
charts, but you don't get EN-"
Again the long knife was raised for
a stroke. Jim saw there was but one
course to pursue.
He shot out his right fist square to
the point of the old mans Jaw and felled
him like an OK 10 the deck
Then as The sloop was yawing uncer-
tainly. her sail trembling in the wind,
he ran TO the wheel and Strengthened
her out upon her course
CHAPTER VIII.