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

red beard
Somers had no sympathy for the man; but
with destruction ahead he burned to justify
himself in Thorsen eyes-and so in the eyes
of the girl he had tried to save. He went on
steadily. "You had run your course, and
the commander was bound to take you. We
planned it all, the court martial, my diSmis-
sal from the ship, and the NARROWING, to that
one end-and that cowardice thing" Som
ers WINGED.
Thorsen threw back his head with his
deep chested laugh. Il can guess that. By
Thor that old gray fox astern of us wanted
me badly to set that mousetrap, with you
for bait! That must have grilled the soul of
an officer and a gentleman"
Il acted under orders!" Somers retorted
hotly. The Buffalo couldn't catch you,
and | meant to do it single handed, if | had
to wait six months.
But the Fates interviewed. Well, the COM
mander guessed right. Sooner or later l
should have passed the island, even if | had
not been looking for you. l should have
taken you off for my own selfish reasons.
And now" Thorsen said with grim laugh,
you turn traitor and help the pirate to es-
cape And, by heaven! | believe We II make
it yet"
The schooner, out of control of the wheels
man, was racing before the storm, threading
the deep sea lanes like sentient creature.
The cruiser mile away, followed doggedly
in her wake. Somers knew the gray old Off
Ger who commanded her. Despite thou
sand monsoons, he would follow to the bitter
end indeed-for Thorsen, for him, for the
girl.
A SHOUT from Thorsen as the giant
sprang forward recalled him to the peril
at hand. The red reef rocks rose out of the
mists like belated danger signal. He saw
Thorsen leap to the sheet ropes and cast
loose the foresail.
''Luff, man! Luff up, for your life!'
Thorsen's wild call reached him through
the threshing of the sail and the whine of the
following wind. A great sea washing under
the schooner lifted the little craft high in the
air. When she dropped it was with the
booming sound of turret gun. On the
breast of the storm Somers saw the white
sided cruiser flash past, swing round in a
semicircle to the seas, and head up to the
wreck. His eyes were caught on a string of
signal flags streaming from the watchful war
ship again marking time in sight of her prey.
Drop down to us in the boat" he read
aloud. We'll pick you up" He swung on
Thorsen inquiringly.
The big man was already hauling in the
painter of the whaleboat over the stern. He
/ L.
The Fills went over the side like bronze au-
donations.
"If the cruisers boats can't live in this
sea, mine can, and my boys will take her
through anything" Thorsen said He shot
glance at the distant island and the tum-
bling waste of waters between and shook his
head. Its no good!" he said grimly. GO
over, and I'll hand her down."
For an instant the young officer hung back
irresolute, his eyes on the frail figure that
chung to Thorsen. He knew the giant free
booter was facing death, or worse than death
to a man like him. If there lurked in his
mind vague hope of escape, Somers realized
how vain that hope must be. Then he re-
called the look in Thorsen's gray eyes when
ever they rested on the girl, look of yearn-
ing and dawning hope.
Get over!" Thorsen said impatient1y.
"Man, it's coming again! Those monsoons
travel in circle. The ship can't stand an
other such faying as the last-and it is
WE'LL"
A breath like sob checked the reckless
laugh that accompanied the last words.
Thorsen caught up the form of his daughter
in his great arms. The Fiji boatmen, bright
eyed and confident in their own familiar
element, awaited their master with out
hoa r5aI Tbo Il IT,