The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1910-04-08
CHAPTER xH.-Continued.

l~Ay yOoh NAl oh lax oSutA 4
threatened. sternly, land I'll floor you
to the deck. I'll take that grin off
your face, De Nova, If you attempt
any interference with me now"
He understood quickly enough what
I meant, and evidently had no relish
for attacking me alone, for with one
swift. searching glance into the fog,
he leaped down the steps and al
hastily aft. | knew he was seeking
the backing of Tuttle, 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 y time, futile in his shirt
sleeves, and, as they attained the
bridge, Bill Anderson swung himself
out of the hatch and started after
them. I backed away, the ugly iron
pin grasped In my hand.
You'd better keep back" l warned,
threateningly. Tn ready to brain
the first man who attempts to touch
me-"
futile stopped, his jaw working a v
agely, his eyes on mine.
will 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. 'IIl speak that ship yonder
II I have tc fight the crew of you
single-handed."
Then fight, you cockerel, an be
damned to you'll" roared Anderson;
and he pressed past the W of them
and sprang at me.
It was hot, swift work, while 1t
lasted. 1 struck twice, laying open the
big brute's scalp. and dropping him
X his head hung dangling down over
the deck. his body huddled against the
rail. / aimed to do as we'll by Tut
tie. but the~ descending pin landed on
his uplifted arm, and, before / could
draw back for another blow, the fell
low at the wheel released the spokes
and jumped at my back, throttling me
with his hands as the weight of. his
body crushed me to the planks. Grasp
ing the rafl I half tore myself loose,
rising TO n knee, and struck him
twice madly in the face: but others
Of the crew came tumbling on top Of
N, pinning me helplessly down. 1t
Wa all the work of a breathless mo-
meet, and as | lay there, the knee Of
I negro crunching into my chest, l saw
De Nova spring to the wheel and
whlxl It. hard down, while futile. his
left arm dangling. his teeth set from
pain. began jangling the bells in the
enaine-noom. Scarcely had the echo
reached, ~ when q strange voice hailed
sharply from out the dense fog:
.iotpaupor. ahoy! What vessel Is
TuttIaG nasal voice answered:
,s0toa3 yacht Cormorant, Panama
to Easter island. for pleasure. Who
II. 4. !. victory. on cruise. Stand
By. while We send . boat"
a deep oath sprang to Tuttle's lips,
his angers convulsively chipping the
rail. Then he appeared to rally, the
very intensity Of his fear making q
man out Of him.
They were certainly expeditions
enough IN my case. dragging me bump
Ing down the steps. and finging me in
between table and bench with q vio-
lence that made me groan. | caught
the glimmer Of q steel barrel In De
Nova's hand a. he drew close the
sliding door.
~ was not nice sing to do. Mons. Ste
pnens.' he said. not i~ll-naturedly. but.
~ gar. out re farsity row It was 60
ine 70 b done. for l shoot e pistol
very good"
1hat's al right, De Nova." l rel
ylsed. faelixing my complete defeat
14ng No personal erudge
g4z = Aea't blame you. I've
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