The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1910-04-21
CHAPTER xII.-cOntlnusd.

Lay YOU hands on me again, l
threatened, sternly, and I'll floor you
to the deck. I'll take that grin OF
your face. De Nova. II you attempt
any interference with me now"
He understood quickly enough what
/ meant, and evidently had no relish
for attacking me alone. for with one
swift. searching glance into the fog,
be leaped down the steps and ran
hastily aft. l knew he was seeking
the backing Of futile. and armed my
self with a Delaying pin. peering Gag
erly meanwhile for the nearby sail,
and cursing the fellow at the wheel
for not holding her up to the point
directed. They came up together. two
steps at n time. futile in his shirt
sleeves, and, as they attained the
bridge, Bill Anderson swung himself
out OF the hatch and started after
them. / backed away. the ugly iron
pin grasped in M hand.
You'd better keep back" / warned,
threateningly. I'm ready to brain
the first man who attempts to touch
me"
futile stopped, his Jaw working say
agely. his eyes on mine.
"Wm you promise to keep quiet, sir,
an let US get away out o. this?'
Damn you, no." stubbornly. all my
senses leaving me at sight OF his hate
full face. TN speak that ship youder
II I have 70 fight the crew OF you
singie-handed"
Then fight, you cockerel, an be
damned TO you," roared Anderson;
and he pressed past the two of them
and sprang at me.
II was hot, swift work. while Il
lasted. I struck twice. laying open the
big brute's scalp. and dropping him
so his head hung dangling down over
the deck. his body huddled against the
rail aimed Il do as well by Tut
tie, but the descending pin landed on
his uplifted arm, and. before ] could
draw back for another blow, the Eel.
low at the wheel released the spokes
and jumped az my back. ~throttllng me
with his hands as the weight OF his
body crushed me 20 the plnnks. Grasp
Ing the rail half tore myself loose.
rising TO one knee, and struck him
twice msdly In the face; but others
OF the crev cane tumbling on top OF
us, plnning me hclplessly down, II
was all the work OF a broathlcss mo-
mcnt. and as ! lay there. the knee OF
"a negro crunching into my chest. / saw
De Nova spring 10 the wheel and
whirl Il hard down. while futile. his
lott arm dangling. his teeth set from
pain. began iangling the bells Ia the
engine room. Scarcely had the echo
reached as when a strange voice hailed
sharply from out the dense fog.
steamer. ahoy! What vessel Is
that2"
Tuttle's nasal voice answered:
Steam yacht Cormorant. Panama
TO Easter island. for pleasure. Who
are you?"
III. n. s. Victory. on cruise. Stand
by. while We send a boat"
A deep oath sprang 10 Tuttle'a lips
his fingers c~onyulsiyely gripping the
rail Then ne appeared to rally. the
very intensity Of his fear making 4
new man out OF him.
They we're certainly expedition
enough IN my case. dragging me bump
ing down the steps, and hinging me II
between table and bench with a VIC
lence that made me groan. / caugh
the glimmer OF a steel barrel In ID
Noya's hand as he drew close thl
sliding door.
1T was not nice sing 10 do. Mons. ste
phons, he said, not il~l-naturedly, hui
by gar. out re farsity row II was 90
ing 10 be done. for | shoot 70 pisto
very good"
That's all right. De Nova" l r.
piled. realizing my complete defea
and holding no personal grudg
against him. Il don't blame you. Nv