, 1908-12-03

ldll hhth oioiVo NJ III
him. and rose to his feet. We'll, what
n hell, Say, this is damn cheerful"
Il fancy we are in a nasty fix. But
say. my man, there is a pres
mt, and your language, you know"
Blake turned and fixed the English
man with a cold stare.
Look here, you bloomin' lud," he
aid. there's just one thing you're
koing to understand, right here and
bow. I'm not your man. and we're not
koing to have any Of that kind of blat.
er. Any fool can see we're in a
light hole, and we're like to keep com.
bany for a while-probably long as we
asst"
"What-ah-may I ask, do you mean
BY that"
Blake laughed harshly. and pointed
rom the reef-strewn sea to the vast
btretches of desolate marsh. Far in.
and, across miles Of brackish lagoons
md reedy mud flats, could be seen
kroups of scrubby. half-leafiess trees;
en- or twelve miles to the southwark
rocky headland jutted out into the
Eater: otherwise there was nothing in
light but sea and swamp. II 1t could
lot properly be termed a sea-view, II
vas at least a very wet landscape.
Fine prospect" remarked Blake.
bryly. Wei be in luck II the fever
bon't get the last of us inside a
month; and as for you two. you'd have
s much show of lasting a month as
toad with a rattlesnake, II 1t wasn't
or Tom Blake-that's my name-Tom
Blake-and as long as this shindy
asts. you're welcome to call me Tom
pr Blake. whichever suits. But I'M
herstand, we're not going to have
my more of your bloody, bloomin'
English c~ondescension. Aboard ship
Eou had the drop on me, and could
lille on dog till the cows came home.
Here I'm Blake and you're Win
(hrope."
BELIEVE me. Mr.. Blake, l quite ap-
b~reciate characterization. And now.
fancy that. instead Of wasting
inc"
It's about time you introduced me
the lady," interrupted Blake. and
e stared at them half defiantly. yet
18th a twinkle in his eyes.
Miss Leslie flushed. Winthrope
wore softly. and bit his lip. Aboard
@hip. backed by Lady Bayrose and the
Eaptain, he had goaded the American
t pleasure. Now, however. the sit
alton was reversed. Both title and
uthority had been swept away by
he storm, and he was left to shift for
imself against the man who had
very reason to hate him for his over
caring insolence. Worse still, both
e and Miss Leslie were now depen-
ent upon the American. in all prob
bility for life Itself. 1t was a bitter
i'll and hard to swallow.
Blake was not slow to observe the
fnglishman's hesitancy. He grinned.
bis is mine" he said. Take your
me. II it m hard. l a imagine
Is a pretty stir lose for your ludship.
but why in-why in frozen hades an
merican lady should object to an in
DEDUCTION to a countryman who's 60
g to do his level best to save her
fetty little self from the hyenas-
ell. 1t beats me-"
Winthrope flushed redder han the
lrl.
Miss Leslie, Mr.. Blake" he muir
Uured, hoping to put an end to the
'1ltuation.
But yet Blake persisted. He bowed,
openly exultant.
you see. miss" he said, Il know the
1orrect thing quite as much as your
gells. Knew all along you were
enny Leslie. I ran q survey for your
ar papa when he was manipulating
b @. T. railroad. and he did me out
my pay"
frOh. but Mr.. Blake. l am ure 1t
)ust be a mistake: l am sure that II
Is explained to papa" ..
Eyes; well cable papa tonight.
Ieantime, we've something else to do.
impose you two get a hustle on your
elves. and scrape up something to
- I'm going out to see what's left
a that blamed old tub"
"Surely you'll not venture to swim
Id so fart" protested Winthrope. II
the steamer sink az we cast on"
"Looks like a mast sticking up out
ERE. Maybe some of the rigging Is
1ose."
t"But the sharks! These waters
warm with the vile creatures. You
must not risk your life!"
"'cause why? II I do, the babes In
he woods will be left without even
he robins to cover them. poor things!
hut cheer up!-maybe the mud-hens
IN do 1t with lovely water-ilies."
please, Mr.. Blake, do not be so
ruel!" sobbed Miss Leslie, her tears
PARTING afresh, THE sun makes my
cad ache dreadfully. and ! have no
at or shade, and I'm becoming 80
hirsty!r "a. LtHL
And you think you've only to wait
nd half a dozen stewards VIII come
inning with parasols and Ice water