Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-04-12
THE FATE OF A THIEF

messmntes was something almost in
credible, for he was well liked and
thorough seaman.
Yet the evidence seemed indisputa
bic. Ned Hicks pipe had been founC
in his kit, and petty thieving had beel
! going ON for some time. His accusei
was Gus Gaines, known as "Kanaki
Gus" who had formerly been a petty
chief among the Maoris. He was {
man of sullen nature and revengefU
disposition.
hooking laughter followed Harry al
he went into the forecastle after his
kit No one would help him, and Ia
tugged his chest on deck and placed Il
where II would be out OF the way. His
clothing had been tumbled about in
utter confusion, and as he stopped tc
arrange 1t something fell from the
folds of a jacket. He picked 1t NJ
with a cry and shouted to the mate.
"Mr. Foster. will you come hereT'
The mate approached. and Harry held
up n ring Of bone. carved In the shape
Of "a deaths head" "Kanaka GUS
made leap and tried to snatch II
from his hand, but Harry dealt him a
blow which sent him Keeling to the
deck.
You see this, matesT cried Harry.
Every one here knows that 'Kanaka
Gus never parted with this ring will
ingly. Now. as l have been openly
accused, ! ask justice. Let the chest
OF 'Kanaka Gus be searched, and II
more missing articles are not found
give You the right to call me a thief
II you will.
1T is only fair" replied Mr.. Foster
"send a 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 It contained,
making running comments as he did
90.
why, it's a regular curiosity shop,
Mr., Foster Here's that pair of braces
you lost and that six bladed knife.
Here's can Of cavendish with Harry
Maitland's mark on the lid. Catch
hold OF this sheath knife, Ben Brace,
and II you was to sink It into 'Kanaka
Gus two or three inches nobody would
DO very sorry. guess we may as
well beg Harry Maitland's pardon, for
this black and blue cuss Is the thief"
There was rush Of furious men at
"Kanaka Gus" but the mate waved
them back.
take hold OF him, Ben Brace. Hur-
ryi Take him on the other side and
bind him to the lee ratlinesp'
The villain was quickly tied up, and
the mate went into the cabin and
called out the captain. He heard the
story quietly.
give him forty" he said. "Flog-
ging 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
1t to Harry, but he shook his head.
II won't touch the thief" he said.
"Give me the cat" said Foster. "I'n
touch him"
The cat whistled through the air and
alighted upon the bare back Of the
thief. A yell OF agony broke from his
lips as the cat rose and fell. At the
fortieth stroke the captain raised his
hand and the man was let down.
Harry sent his kit back to the fore
castle, and "Kanaka Gus took his place
on deck. Two days passed. and not
word was spoken to the detected thief.
The men passed him with averted
faces. and his life was made a very
hell to him. Harry never looked at
him, and this cold scorn OF his former
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 SAN was
furled. aud the men sprang upon the
yard to reach the top. In the dark |
ness Harry could not see who was
working next to him; but. to his hor-
ror, as he grasped the hand rope ana |
bore his weight upon the foot rope nm
terneath he heard a kissing exeera-
ton, and the rope parted under his |
feet. The weight Of his body tore the |
hand rope out OF one OF the rings, ana |
be hung suspended by his hands alone |
three feet below the yard. Just then |
the lightning flashed. and above him,
.rouchlng on the yard, with his knife |
N his hand. was the ominous figure OF |
'Kanaka Gus"
my turn he Kissed as the blade OF
he knife approached the rope. Down
rou gor'
Harry uttered cry for help, when
he sail suddenly Capped and struck
he crouchlng form OF the would be
murderer. and before he could seize
anything TO stop himself he plunged
into the darkness below.
AZ the same moment a strong hand
srasped Harry by the collar aud raised
aim 80 that he could reach the pOlnta /
Ind drag himself up.
Get into the tops." said the voice OF
Ar. Foster. Il saw the whole thing
md II ever a villain deserved death |
kanaka Gus was the man. Let hin