The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1909-04-24
THE FATE or A THIEF

messmates was something almost In
credible. for he was well liked and
thorough seaman.
Yet the evidence seemed indisputa-
bic. Ned Hicks pipe had been found
In his kit. and petty thlevlng had been
going on for some time. His accuser
was Gus Gaines. known as "Kanaka
Gus" who had formerly been petty
chief among the Maoris. He was
man Of sullen nature and revengeful
disposition.
Mocking laughter followed Harry as
ne went into the forecastlc after his
kit No one would help him, and he
tugged his chest on deck and placed e
where IL would be out OF the way His
clothing had been tumbled about In
utter confusion, and as ne stopped 10
arrange II something fell from the
folds OF jacket He picked II up
with cry and shouted 10 the mate:
"Mr Foster. viii you come herer
The mate approached, and Harry heM
up ring OF bone. carved in the shape
OF "a deaths head" "Kanaka Gus"
made n leap ana tried TO snatch II
from his hand. but Harry dealt him
blow which sent him Keeling 20 the
deck.
"You see this. matesT" cried Harry.
Every one here knows that 'Kanaka
Gus never parted with this ring Will
ingly. Now, as ! have been openly
accused, ask justice. Let the chest
Of 'Kanaka Gus be searched, and II
more missing articles are not found I
give you the right TO call me thief
II you Will.
1T is only fair" replied Mr.. Foster.
"Send whip down into the forecastle
and hoist Gus Gaines chest on deck"
The chest was hoisted on deck and
opened, and one OF the men began TO
hand out the articles II contained,
making running comments as he did
so.
"Why. It's a regular curiosity shop.
Mr.. Foster Here's that pair Of braces
you lost and that six bladed knife.
Here's a can OF cavendlsh with Harry
Maitlands mark on the lid Catch
hold OF this sheath knife. Ben Brace
and II you was TO sink 1t into 'Kanaka
Gus two or three inches nobody would
be very sorry. | guess we may as
well beg Harry MaitIand's pardon, for
this black and blue chss is the thief"
There was a rush OF furious men at
"Kanaka Gus" but the mate waved
them back.
Take hold Of him, Ben Brace. Hur-
ry! Take him on the other side and
bind him to the lee ratlinesr
The villain was quickly tied up, and
the mate went into the cabin and
called out the captain. He heard the
story quietly.
"Glve him forty" he said. "Flog-
cling may be played out In the mer-
chant service. but I'll take the law into
my own hands"
Ben Brace took the cat and handed
It TO Harry, but he shook his head.
81 won't touch the thief" he said
"Glve me the cat" said Foster. I'm
touch him"
The cat whistled through the air ana
allghted upon the bare back OF tho
thief a yell OF agony broke from his
lips as the eat rose and fell. At the
fortieth stroke the captain raised his
hand and the man was let down.
Harry sent hls KIT back to the fore
castle, and "Kanaka Gus" took his place
on deck Two days passed, and not a
word was spoken to the detected thief.
The men passed him with averted
faces. and his life was made very
he'll 10 him. Harry never looked az
him, and this cold scorn or his former
messmates cut him worse than the cat.
The second night came. and a sudden
gale called all hands on deck and sent
them aloft. II was pitch dark, and
they could only feel their way along
the yards. But the heavy sail was
furlcd. and the men sprang upon the
yard TO reach the top. In the dark
ness Harry could not see who was
working next 10 him; but, TO his hor-
I ror. as he grasped the hand rope and
bore his weight upon the foot rope nm
derneath he heard kissing execra-
ton. and the rope parted under his
feet. The weight OF his body tore the
hand rope out OF one OF the rings, and
he hung suspended 10y his hands alone
three feet below the yard. Just then
the lightning flashed, and above him.
/ crouchlng on the yard, with his knife
IN his hand. was the ominous figure OF
| "Kanaka Gus"
"My turn" he Kissed as the blade OF
the knife approached the rope. down
you goT'
Harry uttered n cry for help, when
the sail suddenly Tapped and struck
the crouchlng form OF the would be
I murderer. and before he could seize
i anything 60 stop himself he plunged
headforemost into the darkness below.
/ AZ the same r1oment strong hand
/ graspcd Harry BY the collar and raised
I him so that he could reach the points
\ and drag himself up
Get into the tops" said the voice OF
Mr.. Foster. II saw the whole thing