Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-08-25

II - ~ y ~ -
(CHAPTER xIx.-Continued.)
Once more the captain shouted:
What do you want? 2"
>Cne of your assengers-Emerson
Heave to. You're passing u.s."
That's bloody hard luck, Mr.. Elmer
son; can't help myself" the captain
declared. But again Boyd blocked him
as he started for the telegraph.
81 won't stand it, sir. It's con-
spiracy to ruin me-"
But, my dear young man
Don't touch that Instrument
From the launch came cries OF grow
ing vehemence, and a startled murmur
of voices rose from somewhere In the
darkness of the deck beneath.
"Stand aside" Peasley ordered,
gruffly; but the other held his ground,
saying quietly:
IT warn you. am desperate"
"Shall stop her, sir? the quarter
master asked from the shadows OF the
wheel house.
"No!" Emerson commanded, sharply,
and in the glow from the binnacie
light they saw he had drawn MS re-
volver, while on the instant up from
the void beneath heaved the massive
figure Of Big George Bait, behemoth,
more colossal and threatening than
ever in the dim light. Rambling curses
as he came, he leaped up the pilot
house steps, wrenched open the door,
and with one sweep Of his hairy paw
flung the helmsman from his post,
painting:
Keep her going, Cap, or I'll run
them down."
eve stood by you, old man." Elmer
son urged; you stand by us. They
can't make you stop. They can't come
aboard"
The launch was abreast of them now,
and skimming along so close that one
might have tossed biscuit aboard OF
her. For an instant Captain Peasley
hesitated; then Emerson saw the ends
of his bristly mustache rise above an
expansive grin as he winked por-
tentously. But his voice was con-
yincingly loud and wrathful as he re-
piled:
what do you mean. sir? III have
my blooming ship libelled for this
"I'll make good your loses,' Emer.
son volunteered, quickly. realizing that
other ears were open.
"Why, it's mutiny, SIR
Exactly! You can say you went out
under duress." :,
81 never heard of such a thing,
stormed the skipper. Then. more
quietly: "But don't seem to have any
choice in the matter; do II"
"None whatever"
"Tell them to go to hell" growled
Bait from the open window above their
head. ~
A blasphemous cutlery foated up
from the launch, while heads protruded
from the deck house openings, the
faces white in the slanting glare. "Why
don't YOU heave to-" demanded a
voice.
Peasley stepped to the end of the
bridge and called down: II can't stop,
my good man, they won't allow 1t, y
know. You'll have to bloody well
come aboard yourself" Then, obed-
lent to his command, the searchlight
traced an arc through the darkness
and died out, leaving the little craft
in darkness. save for it's dim lantern.
Unseen by the amazed quartermas-
ter who was startled out OF speech
and action, Emerson gripped the cap
tains shoulder and whispered his
thanks, while the Britisher grumbled
under his breath:
"Bli' me! Won't that labor crowd be
hot? They nearly Dashed in my head
with that iron spike. Four hundred
pounds! My world"
The sputter of the craft alongside
was now punctuated by such yolley
of curses that he raised his voice
again: Delay that clatter, will you?
There's lady aboard"
The police launch sheered off, and
the sound of her exhaust grew rapidly
fainter and fainter But not until 1t had
wholly ceased did Big George give
over his post at the wheel. Even then
he went down the ladder reluctantly,
and without a word of thanks, Of ex-
PLANTATION or of apology. With him this
had been but part Of the days work.
He saw neither sentiment nor humor
in the episode The clang of the deep
throated ships bell spoke the hour.
and, taking Cherry's arm, Boyd helped
her to the deck.
Nov let's eat something" said
she.
eyes" he agreed, relief and triumph
in his tone, "and drink something,
too
well drink to the health Of Fin
gerless' Fraser"
ITO the health Of 'Fingerless' Fra