Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-02-09

the low littoral Of Holland, and was
glad to dodge below once more and
dry himself
He had the pleasure of the mates
company at dinner, the captain re-
naming on deck until Hobbs had fin
ished and gone up to relieve him; and
by that time Kirkwood likewise was
through.
Stryker blew down with blustery
show of cheer. "Well, we'll, my little
mani" Ut happened that he topped
Kirkwood's stature by at least five
inches.) "Enj'yin yer sea trip"
about as much as you'd expect"
snapped Kirkwood.
cow" The captain began to shovel
food into his face. (The author re-
grets he has at his command no more
delicate expression that is literal and
illustrative.) Kirkwood watched him,
fascinated with suspense; it seemed
impossible that the man could con-
tinue so to employ his knife without
cutting his throat from the inside.
But years of such manipulation had
made him expert, and his guest, keenly
disappointed, at length ceased to
hope.
Between gobbles Stryker eyed him
furtively.
Treat you all right?" he demand
ed abruptly.
Kirkwood started out of brown
study. What? Who? Why, sup
pose ought to be-indeed am CRATE
full he asserted. Certainly you
saved my life, and"
COW, l don't mean that" Stryker
gathered the imputation into his paw
and flung it disdainfully to the four
winds of Heaven. BLESS yer art,
you're welcome; wouldn't let no dorg
drowned, + could 'elp it. No. he
declared, NOR loonatic, neither"
He thrust his plate away and shift
ed sidewise in his chair. ri 'uz just
wonderful he pursued, picking his
teeth meditatively with a pen-knife,
COW they feeds you in them as-ylums.
AVN never been inside one, myself,
it's ony natural I'd be Gurus.
There was one of them INSTRUCTIONS
near where I war borned-Birming-
am that it. | used to see the loonies
playin' in the grounds. l remember
lust as we'll! y = One of 'em and
me struck up quite an acquaintance
Naturally he'd take to you on
sight"
low? strynge ow we it it off,
eigh? . g you myke me think of
i'm. Young chap, e was, the Twin
spit n-hinnage of you. 1t don't hap
pen, does it, you're the same MANI"
ooh. go to the devil"
Naughty" said the captain Sc
renely, wagging reproving fore
finger. bad, naughty word. You'll
be sorry when you find out wot it
means. Only e was allus plannin'
to run awe and drownd 'is.self.'' =
He wore the joke threadbare, even
to his own taste, and in the end got
heavily to his feet, starting for the
companionway. Land you this arter-
noon" he remarked casually, come
three o'clock or thereabaits. Per'aps
later. l don't know, though, as Tad
ought to let you loose"
Kirkwood made no answer Chuck
ling, Stryker went on deck.
In the course of an hour the Amer
lean followed him.
Wind and sea alike had gone down
wonderfully since daybreak-a circum-
stance undoubtedly in great part due
to the fact that they had won in I'M
der the lee of the mainland and were
traversing shallower waters. On
either hand, like mist upon the hori
zon, lay a streak of gray, a shade
darker than the gray of the waters.
The Alethea was within the wide jaws
of the Western Scheldt. AS for the
wind. it had shifted several points to
the northwards; the brigantine had
it abeam and was lying down to it
and racing to port with slanting deck
and singing cordage.
Kirkwood approached the captain,
who, acting as his own pilot, was
standing by the wheel and barking
sharp orders to the helmsman.
Have you Bradshaw on board?"
asked the young man.
"Steady!" This to the man at the
wheel; then to Kirkwood: "Wots that,
me lud?''
Kirkwood reported his question.
Stryker eyed him suspiciously for a
thought.
"Wot d'you want it for?''
Iwant to see when can get boat
to England"
Hmm Yes, you'll find Brad
shaw in the port-locller, near the
for'ard bulk'ead Run along now and
pl'y-and mind you don't go tearin
out the pyges to myke pyper boatses to
go sylin' in"
Kirkwood went below. Like its
adjacent rooms, the cabin was unten-
anted: the watch was the mates, and
Stryker a martinez. Kirkwood found
the designated locker and opening it,
saw first to his hand the familiar
bulky red volume with its red garter.
Taking it out he carried it to a chair
near the companionWay, for better
reading light: the skylight being still
battened down.
The strap removed the book open.
ed easily, as if by force of habit, at
the precise table he had wished to
consult; some previous clinet had left
marker between the pages-and not
an ordinary bookmark, by any manner
of means. Kirlzwood gave utterance
to a little gasp of amazement, and
instinctively glanced up at the COM