The Elbert County tribune., 1908-07-09

you Is scandalous. showing you around
and insulting you whenever no feels
like It. don't see how you can
stand 1t. don't believe = really brave
man would put up with such con-
duct"
The mate flushed.
Il ain't afraid of him." he asserted.
doggedly.
We'll, you act like It," rejoIned the
girl, crisply.
See here" said Brennan. III show
you before the trips over that
amt afraid OF him, may come and
see you when we're ashoref''
DO that" said Miss Bardell. de-
cisively. ''and-and you can come to
see me as often as you like"
Her hand rested for q momeAs In
the mates broad palm and he ven
tured to squeeze 1t gently. The
pressure was timidly returned.
As the Uncas neared Chicago her
commander excelled all his previous
efforts in the terrific role of fresh
water martinez. The cabin-boy
crouched like frightened hare at his
approach and the deckhands fed be-
fore him like leaves in the path OF
hurricane. The dinner falling to
meet with his approval. he summoned
the trembling cook to his presence
and berated him with extraordinary
vigor, ending the harangue with an
order to the mate to convey the
culprit to the hold and have him
flogged. Mr.. Brennan, standing at at
tention, suffered his features to relax
into sardonic grin.
"Aw. cut that out" he said with
insolent emphasis. "and don't be
maxim monkey of yourself"
The captain answered what he sup
posed to be his cue. by producing his
revolver and presenting the shining
barrel at the mates head.
'Mutiny, by heavensi" he roared,
while the widow shrieked aloud and
her daughter gasped. Another word.
you hound, and I'll blow your brains
out!"
The mate took step forward and
loud report rang out. His next move
erred grievously from the schedule
arranged. for before the smoke faded
away heavy fist collided violently
with the captains jaw and he dropped
with a resounding crash. Brennan
picked up the gun where 1t had fallen.
and thrusting the weapon into his
pocket assisted the fallen martinez to
his feet.
You amt fit to be trusted with fire.
arms" he said, curtly. open your
head to me again and I'll knock 1t on
your shoulders"
Boggs stared stupidity at the traitor
GUS destroyer OF his hopes and then
turned to the women. who were gazing
upon the heroic mate with intense ad-
miration.
1T was all a joke. Maggie" he said.
appealingly. but Miss Bardell tilted
her nose at a scornful angle and
walked away, holding her mothers
arm.
Look here" said the infuriated one
to the grinning mate. What kind of
game dye call this? Wot does 1t
mean?"
ITS all joke. as you said just
now" explained Mr.. Brennan, blandly.
Cant other folks have a little fun
as well as your
wait till we're ashore" stormed
the incensed captain. 'I'll show you
what 1t means to assault your superior
officer. my lad!"
"Oh. all right" responded the mate.
lightly. "P'raps you think the law al
lows you to pull a gun on a man for
nothin'. And remember. I've got wit
nesses that you tried to shoot me-"
He turned and made his way to the
cabin. where Mrs. Bardell and her
daughter sat discussing his act Of
valor.
When the Uncas' two passengers
disembarked at the Wells street
bridge Capt. Boggs stood watching
them gloomily. prey to the contend
ing emotions OF humiliation and rage.
Between the widow and her daughter
strobe the tall, erect figure of the de-
ceitful mate, his visage wreathed with
an expansive smile.
Copyright. by w. @. chapman.)