Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-12-17
CHAPTER III.
The worts Of FIRE.


dead calm. they did not see Blake on
his return until he struck shallow wa
ter and stood up to wade ashore. The
tide had begun to ebb before he
started landward. and though he was
a powerful swimmer. the long pun
against the current had so tired him
that when he took TO wading he
moved at tortoise-like gait
The bloomin ioafer," commented
Wlnthrope, He glanced quickly about.
and at sight OF Miss Leslies archiug
brows. FASTENED 20 add Beg par
dom He--ah--reminds me so much
OF NAVY, YOU know"
Miss Leslie made no reply
AT last Blake was out OF the water
and toiling up the muddy beach to the
SPOT where he had left his clothes
While dressing he seemed to recover
from his exertions In the water, for
the moment he had finished no sprang
to his feet and came forward at a
brisk pace
Az he approached. winthrope
waved his NTH cigarette at him with
heartily as his dry lips would per.
nit: u say. Blake. deueed glad the
sharks didn't get youi"
"Sharkss--bah! All you have to do
Is TO splash 4 little. and they haul of.
"How about the steamer. Mr.
Blake2s asked Miss Leslie, turning to
face him,
All under but the maintopmast--
curse itl--wlre rigging at that!
Couldn't even get bolt"
"A bolt2"
mot a bolt; and here we are as
good as naked on this Internal Hey.
youl what you doing with that match
Light your cigarette light it!-- Dam
nationi"
Needless of Blake's warming cry.
Winthrope bad struck his last vasta
and now, angry and bewildered. he
stood staring white the little taper
burned Itself out, With an oath. Blake
sprang 70 catch It as 1t dropped from
between Winthrope's fingers But he
was too far away. II fell among the
damp rushes. splmttered. and iiared
out.
For a moment Blake knelt staring
at the PUSHES as though stupefied;
then he sprang up before Winthrope.
his bronzed face purple with anger.
Where's your matchbox? Got any
more?" he demanded
Last one, | fancy--yes; last one.
and there are still two cigarettes. But
look here. Blake, cant tolerate your
, talking so deucedly--"
You idiot! you--you-- He'll and
every one for cigarettes"
From growi Blakes voice burst
into roar OF fury, and sprang upon
Winthrope like wild beast His
hands closed upon the Engiishman's
throat, and he began to shake him
about, paying no heed TO the blows
his victim showered upon his face and
body. blows which soon began to les.
sen In force.
Terrorstricken, Miss Leslie put her
hands over her eyes. and began to
scream-the piercing shrek that will
unnerve the strongest man. Blake
paused as though transtixed, and as the
half-suffocated Englishman struggled
in his grasp. he flung him on the
ground and turned to the screaming
girl
Stop that squawking." he said The
girl cowed down. SO; that's better
Next time keep your mouth shut"
''You-you brute'"
Good! You've got little spunk
eh?"
You coward--to attack man not
half your strength"
Steady. steady. young LADY, I'm
warm enough yet; I've still half a
mind to wiring his fool neck"
But why should you be SO angry
What has he done. that YOU"
"Why--why? Lord what hasn't he
done? This coast fairly swarms with
beasts. We've not the smell OF gun;
and now this idiot--this dough-head--
has gone and thrown away our only
chance--firean on his measly ciga-
rettesi" Blake choked with returning
rage.
Winthrope. still painting for breath,
began to creep away, al the same time
unclasping small penknife. He was
white with fear; but his gray eyes
which on shipboard Blake had never
seen other than extensively supercili-
ous--now giinted In manner that
served to alter the Americans mood.
"That'n do he said. Come here
and show me that knife"
I'm show ii you where 1t will DO the
most good" muttered Winthrope, ris-
ing hastily to repel the expected at
tack
so you've got a little sand. toe"
said Blake. almost gooi.naturediy.
Say, that's not so bad. Wen call 1t
quits on the matches. Though how
you could go and throw them away"
Deuce take 1t, man, How should
know? I've never before been In a
wreck
Neither have I--this kind But
tell you. we've got to keep our think