El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-11-30


an hour and 5000 bushmen on the
beach Said you couldn't see Malaita
for the smoke Of the signal fires Any
way, they cleared out for Tulagi"
But why didn't they fght?" Shell
don asked.
1T was funny they didn't, but they
/ got separated. You see. two-thirds of
them were in the boats. without weap-
ons, running anchors and never dream
ing the natives would attack. They
found out their mistake too late"
But what is Miss Lakeland intend
ing to do"
Captain Auckland grinned
shes going to try to get the Mar
tina of. l should say. or else why did
she pay 50 guild for her? And if
she fails she'll try to get her money
back by saving the gear spars. you
I know. and patent steering gear and
( winches. such things. At least that's
what I'd do if / was in her place.
When l sailed the little girl had char
tered the Emily I'm going recruit
/ ing says Munster. Hes the skipper
/ you net on the cruiser asks she. oh.
| 90 quid.' says he. Good. says she.
| You bring your Emily along with
me and you'll get 70. You know
/ that big ships anchor and chain
/ piled up behind the coal sheds? She
was Just buying that when / left
She's certainly a hustler. that little
girl Of yours"
''Sbe is my partner" Sheldon cor
rected
well. she's a good one. that's ALL
and a cool one. Ny word, a white
woman on Malaita and at Poonga-
Poonga Of all places! Oh. 1 forgot to
tell you. She palavered Burnett into
lending her eight rifles for her men
and three cases Of dynamite. You'd
laugh to see the way she makes that
Guvutu gang stand around. And to
see them being polite and trying to
give advice! Lord. Lord. man. that
little girls a wonder. a marvel, a-a-a
catastrophe. That's what she is-a
catastrophe. She's gone through Gu
vutu and Tuiagi ike a hurricane.
Every last swine Of them in love with
her, except Raf. Hes sore over the
auction. and he sprang his recruiting
contract with Munster on her. And
what does she do but thank him and
read it over and point out that. while
Munster was pledged to deliver all re-
cruits to Morgan and Ran, there was
no clause in the document forbidding
him from chartering the Emily.
." There's your contract says she.
passing it back. And a very good con
tract it is The next time you draw
one up insert a clause that will ct
emergencies like the present one And
Lord, Lord. she had him too!
But there's the breeze. and Pm OF
GoOdDy, old man. Hope the little girl
succeeds. The Martha's whacking fine
boat, and she'd take the place OF the
Jessie"
The next morning Sheldon came in
from the plantation to breakfast to find
the mission ketch Apostle at anchor.
her crew swimming two mares and a
FLY ashore.
Miss Lakeland sent them" said
Welshmere. the missionary doctor.
stepping ashore and shaking hands
with him. There's also a box OF sad
dies on board AID this letter from
her. And the skipper Of the Flibberry
Gibbet"
The next moment and before he coulo
greet him Oleson stepped from the boat
and began.
'She's stolen the F1bberty. Mr.. Shell
don Run clean away with her. She's
a wild one She gave ne the fever
Brought it on by shock. And got me
drunk as well"
DR.. Welshmere laughed heartily.
Nevertheless she is not an unmiti-
gated evil. your Miss Lakeland. She's
sworn three men on their drink or. 10
the same purpose. shut of their whis-
ky. You know them-Brahms. Curtis /
and Fowler. She shipped them on
the FHbberty Gibbet along with her
"She's the skipper Of the Ftibberty
now" Oleson broke in. And she'll
wreck her as sure as God didn't make
the SOlOmons."
DR.. Welshmere tried to look shocked.
but laughed again.
She has quite q way with her," ne
said. Il tried TO back out Of bringing
the horses over. said couldn't
charge freight. that the Apostle was
under a yacht license. that was 60
ing around by SavO and the upper
end of Guadalcanar. But it was no
use. Bother the charge. said she.
You take the horses ike a good man.
and when l doat the Martha IN re-
turn the service some day"
'And bother your orders. said she
to me" Oieson cried. I'm yOar
boss now. said she. and you take
your orders from me- Look at the
load Of ivory nuts. / said. Bother
them. said she I'm playin for some
thing bigger than ivory nuts. Wen
dump them oversize as soon as we get |
under way. What 1 want TO know
is she your partner or amt she:
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