Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-10

with defiant glance at the big form towering over
Well I'm not strictly on business now Thorsen
said slowly. No pearl shell. copra nothing con-
traband Fact is I'm crossing to Jolo to catch the
Borneo steamer. Sending my daughter back to
Manila
Your daughter?"
HIM" Thorsen's gaze was fixed on the channel
in the direction where his boat lay out of sight in
shore Somers could almost the gray eyes soften.
And. Lieutenant" he said if you come aboard,
I'm Captain John Williams in the copra trade.
Mazda mustn't know what blackguards area
free trader and dsgraced navy Policeman
''Maida Mazda Williams your daughter?'
The insult passed unheeded. The monsoon of fate
had completed the cycle and struck Somers again.
this time fairly between the eyes. Thorsens big
hand fell on his shoulder.
You met her in Manila you mean! That won't
matter. Mazda knows all about you, now"
The second deliberate insult was harder to bear:
but Somers had no mind for resentment In the
tumult of unexpected events he struggled to grasp
the full tragedy of his position. He was not now in
a position to make terms with Thorsen or to make
his peace with Thorsen's daughter, whose former
condolences concerning her father, merchant IN
the copra trade" were now so fully explained.
SOMERS checked groan which capped by
~ hoarse shout from his companion.
Name of Heaven! Look yonder!' Thorsens
deep voice trembled. He glaring down shore
with face gone suddenly gray.
Following the mans startled gaze, Somers saw
the whaeboat pulling away from the shore making
for the schooner. In her wake, cables length
away, followed Malay .proa crowded with red
capped men, also making for the anchored craft in
midchanne
The whaleboat reached the schooner and hung for
a her bows, while the Fiji sailors on deck
tumbed over the rail in panic Then, steered by
the little coxswan in white the boat shot up stream
A spear thrown from the prOa after the retreating
whaleboat flashed into the water at the coxswans
side The proa ranged alongside the deserted
schooner and the Maays swarmed upon her with
yell of triumph which sounded in Somers ears like
110fI for with 10 Cch q
all was lost
the whaleboat but ThOrsen passed him with the
rush and growl of an Infatuated grizzly. When the
Malay spear flashed in the sunlight, the big man, in
a rage, flung up his rifle and poured shot after shot
at the enemy.
THE fiends have got my ship Thorsen shouted,
but the whaleboats got clear, thank Heaven The
proa can't follow her into shallow water and those
black scOundrelS come ashore again He broke
off with cry of anger. oh, what fools we We been!
Don't you see? That attack back there from the
bush only blind lure to get me from my ship
island and jump the schooner. They knew my Fiji
boys wouldn't fight, even if they had arms
The whaleboat, spinning up the channel with the
speed of fear. turned into the lagoon. Thorsen
sprang into the shadows and swept up the
1.-the little figure from the stern like feather in his
great arm. The next moment Lieutenant George
Somers looking into Maida's startled blue eyes.
The girls glance fell upon the mutilated
navy jacket, and she checked sharp
1T is true then" she said breath
lessly about-what they told me?"
Somers stood like a doomed -
awaiting sentence. Without word
she turned away to her father
Il brought your pistol along, Dad"
she said, a little quaver in her voice.
. l made one of the boys fetch it from
the cabin and wouldn't take him off
till he did. Did you them try to
spear me? Oh! only wish they had! a
1Oyry1 ,Icnd XIarff r.