Evening journal., 1910-06-21
A NOVEL
CONTEST
BY EDWARD TOwNE.
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
Association.

1
II Association.
Captain Crofton of the sealer Benicia
Boy, cruising in Bering' sea, was in a
quandary Among his crew were Dick
Turner, a southerner. and Olaf Jacob
son, Swede These two mems dis
positions partook Of the climates IN
which they had been reared. Turner's
being fiery, Jacobson's peaceful. Tur-
ner had taken a dislike to jacobson
and let no opportunity slip to injure
or annoy him. Unfortunately for ia
cobson, Turner was strong man
thirty years old, while the object OF
his dislike was a youth of eighteen.
Turner could easily thrash Jacobson,
and as for more serious weapons than
fists, the southerner was sufficiently
skilled either with the pistol or the foil
to poke hole In the northerner with
out any risk whatever to himself.
Captain Crofton knew about the
trouble, and it caused him serious an
noyance No commander likes to have
those under him lighting among them
selves It diverts their attention from
their duties and interferes with their
efficiency. The captain had remou
strated with Turner, directing him to
let the boy alone. Turner declared
that it was Jacobson who was making
all the trouble.
One day when Turner and Jacobson
were sitting opposite each other at the
mess table Turner thrust his legs over
on TO Jacobson's side. jacobson In a
mild voice asked him to remove them.
Turner kept his legs where they We're.
giving jacobson a look as much as to
say. what are you going to do about
IT." jacobson raised his cowhided
foot and brought his boot heel down
on Turner's instep. Both rose from
the table. but were not permitted by
their messmates to come together.
Turner sent one Of the crew to Jacob
son with a challenge to fight in any
way he chose, Turner offering to sub
init to any handicap to equalize differ
ences.
This fracas having been reported to
the captain. he sent for Jacobson to
come 70 his cabin.
do you wish to fight TurnerT ask
ed the commander.
Eyes. SIR"
"well. / will permit the affair tc
take place on one condition"
"what is that. sir?"
/ Il to name the weapons"
"Do you propose something harm
less. like feather dusters?"
mot at all. / shall name weapons
TO kill"
every we'll. sir. will leave the termI
70 you"
send a message TO Turner that yol
will fight him tomorrow morning a
two bells and say that the weapons
will be provided"
jacobson left the captain withou
further inquiry as to the nature of tn
weapons with which he was to figh
and sent his acceptance Of Turner
challenge
The news spread among the crey
that there was 10 be a meeting be
tween Turner and Jacobson the mex
morning with the captains sanction
} Great interest was manifested as {
the kind OF weapons to be used, bu
on this point there was no informatlo
forthcoming. The next morning q
two bells the combatants left the for'
. castle and went on deck. They foun
/ two sets Of hose attached 20 the ship
! pumps with an inch nozzle on each ll
ing on the deck twenty PAGES apart.
} "Cap'n's orders is," said the quarter
! master. ''thems the weapons-cold WI
ter FOR ammunition"
II may be supposed this meant thi
! the affeir was 10 be turned into jok
, The men who stood looking on kne
. that such was not the case. Not
man there but would rather has
faced a sword or a pistol than ice W
a ter in a temperature OF 20 degrees b
4 low zero Turner looked at the wea
: ons and shuddered Jacobson loolll
at them and took heart He saw.
4 once that the captain had given him
great advantage. A northerner. he w
a used to the cold and could at lea
q stand such a bath better than his q
n taS"hisls ne plchtu up us uo11ie 81
:. stood ready for the fray. Turner tO'
N up his with evident reluctance. Thl
!. the word was given. the principa
Is turned the spigot. and the battle W
!, on.
u jacobson received the FIRST impa
"a Of the water without any appare
10 shrinking At home in Sweden he b
u been accustomed to 60 in the morni
a. to river flowing near his home. bre
"A the ice and take his dip. Turner,
= the contrary. WINGED. He had be
> used to bathing when at home in wal
between 20 and so degrees. Nevertl
less he was in for It and sums-S