Rocky Ford enterprise., 1910-06-03
CHAPTER xII.-Continued.

Lay your hands on me again." !
threatened, sternly. land I'll floor you
10 the deck. I'll take that grin on
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.
he lcaped down the steps and ran
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
stcps at time. Tuttle 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 my hand.
You'd better keep back" | warned.
thrcaieningly. I'm ready to brain
the first man who attempts TO touch
me"
Tuttle stopped. his jaw working saw
agcly. 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. IN speak that ship yonder
II have to fight the crew OF you
single-handed."
Then fight. you cockerel. an be
and he pressed past the two of them
and sprang at me.
1t was hot, swift work. while II
lasted. 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 to do as well by Tut
tie, but the descending pin landed on
his uplifted arm. and. before l could
draw back for another blow. the Eel
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 rail | half tore myself loose
rising to one knee. and struck him
twice madly in the face: but Others
OF the crew came tumbling on top ol
us. pinning me helplessly down. II
was all the work of breathless mo
ment. and as | lay there. the knee oi
negro crunching into my chest. I saw
De Nova spring to the wheel and
whirl 1t hard down. while Tuttle. his
left arm dangling, his teeth set from
pain. began jangling the bells in the
engine-room. Scarcely had the echs
reached us when a strange voice hailed
sharply from out the dense fog:
Steamer. ahoy! What vessel Is
that"
Tuttlc's nasal voice answered:
Steam yacht Cormorant. Panama
to Easter island. for pleasure. Who
are you?"
H NJ. S. Victory. on cruise. Stand
by, while we send a boat"
A deep oath sprang to Tuttle's lips
his fingers convulsively gripping the
rail. Then he appeared to rally. the
very intensity of his fear making q
new man out of him.
They were certainly expeditions
enough in my case. dragging me bump
ing down the steps. and fiinging me II
between table and bench with a VIC
lence that made me groan. | caugh
the glimmer of steel barrel in ID,
Nova's hand as he drew close The
sliding door.
1T was not nice sing to do. Mons. Ste
phens." he said. not ill-naturedly, but
by gar. out re farsity row 1t was go
ing to be done. for | shoot ze pisto
very good"
That's all right, De Nova" l re
piled, realizing my complete defea
and holding no personal grudg'
against him. Il don't blame you. fv'