The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-03-26

y ifif y ~ -
there. he returned Indicating BIZ
q gesture q srot concealed by the
4 donkey pump, but Z i don't know
where II goes. only It's dark fas fhells
1T comes out rnIer the forecastle,
SIR broke In a coal HEAVIER named
Davis. Leastwise there's a trap in
the deck there. with a ladder leadin'i
I down" /. 81 * sssssS
'I'll finish the trip through, then,
for j like TO know what Is; underimy
feet when 1 command a vessel. Where
is the engineer, Anderson"
He waved his big hairy hand in the
direction Of the boilers.
went to his bunk to lie down for
an hour; he was about all In"
"Are you capable Of standing watch
alone In an engine room?"
The fellow grinned, his, bulldog Jaw
protruding. 4 81.
well, I've had to do It on this trip
whether I'm capable or not. That
fellow can't stand II In here night an
day without no rest. I know how to
start an stop her. an watch the wa.
ter gauge. II anything else goes
wrong he's easy enough, called"
So 1t, was Mcknight who was play.
Ing the antics Of a ghost on board;
Mcknight who had discovered that
unusual passageway through the bulk
heads; Mcknight. who had conceived
the idea that in this manner he could
frighten us into turning back. Well.
truly, did not altogether blame the
man. and, now that my own fear Of
the supernatural was allayed, did not
feel any desire to punish him severely.
Still, his masquerade must stop be-
fore he thoroughly demoralized the
crew, frightening them beyond all
my power OF control.
l discovered the door concealed be-
hind the donkey engine, left 1t slightly
ajar behind me, and stepped forward
Into the black passage. l had CROPPED
along TO the very foot Of the ladder,
feeling nothing but bare walls, aad
hearing no sound except the slush OF
bilge water, when suddenly an mar
tIcuate cry sounded almost directly
above; something, hatch cover pos
sibly, seemed to settle into place, and
the ladder shook under my hand. !
drew back q step, permitting the fol.
low to come down until he reached
the floor. My eyes, accustomed to the
gloom, enabled me to dimly perceive
his shape. 1t was no more than
formless smudge he made, but !
struck straight for what seemed TO be
the head, and landed witlp force that
dropped him like a log. In an instant
I was on top, clasping. the. canvas
sheet he wore tightly about his arms,
and throttling him against the deck.
He fought like a Wild bnll for n mo.
ment, thoroughly frightened and
whimperlng, dazed by the suddenness
Of attack, yet following the animal
instinct Of struggle for life.
Damn you, Mcknight, lie still" !
painted. I've got you, and you might
Just as well take your medicine, my
man. Yes, that's gun You feel, and
] know how TO use II. So you're the
ghost Of the Sea Queen, are your !
guess you know what this means If ]
turn you over to those fellows, don't
you?"
He groaned, and ventured 10 70.
lease my grip on his throat, filnging
back the canvas from his head.
sit up. Well, I'll tell you, Mcknight
you would probably go overheard to
feed the fishes. Do you recognize
meg"
Eyes, sir" managing TO find his
voice for the FIRST time. you're Mr..
Stephens
Right you are. and you can bless
,,a,r I,,ol,,. eto re that am tho Ona