The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1911-02-23

1ected on the ground That Drury SINCE
the infection OF his wounds had never
reSained his general health and
strength. But Drury would not listen
TO their objection, and a meeting was
arranged. Ii must take place when
the captain was in his bunk. he
would not allow fighting among the
crew. since he considered that SUCH
liberty would eventually cost him
every man jack of them. The junior
officers were not SO particular, and Ii
the captain could be eliminated their
interference was not to be feared. so
1t was agreed that the affair should
take place an hour before the coming
aft of the. midwatch. or O'Clock In
the morning. AT that hour in fair
weather the captain was below asleep,
and the second mate, who was In
charge of the ship, had promised TO
accidentally fall asleep himself on the
poop deck.
The night before the meeting was to
take place Ralph Bronson stepped up
to Parsons and said to him:
Parsons, you're a dog to force
fight on a disabled man. Why don't
you take well one!
$50 you're going to chip into this al
fair, are you? We all know that you're
tackled ON to Drury and must be treat
ed as he is treated After I'm through
with him I'll rub your nose in the
scuppers."
"Just as Drury once served you"
Parsons, with scowl, went off
about his duties. Bronson was disap-
pointed. He wished to pick quarrel
that he might take Drury's place. Go
ing below, Ralph, who was to be his
friends hacker in the fight, had
final talk with his principal, and 1t
was arranged that he should awaken
Jack in the morning.
At four bells Ralph went to Jacks
bunk. Jack was sleeping quietly.
Ralph stood looking at him for a few
moments, then stole away on tiptoe,
took up cutlass and went on deck.
whats the natter? said Parsons
as Ralph approached. "Has he backed
out?"
'No; he's asleep. I've come in his
stead"
"Oh, don't want to fight a boy.
must have the man who challenged
me-"
You'll fight me before you fight
him, for I'm between you and him,
and you can't get at him without GO
ing past me-
With that Bronson took up posi-
ton he had learned in the British
army. Parsons went at him as he
would attack a Malay pirate. Ralph
stepped lightly aside. Parsons turn
ed and brought his cutlass down over
Ralph's head Ralph received it on
his own weapon. His arm was barred,
his sleeve being rolled above the ell
bow. The arm was round, but there
was a fair muscle on it. Parsons, an
cry at not being able to get at his en-
envy, thought little Of caution and ex-
posed his left side, and Ralph rammed
his weapon clean through it. Parsons
looked about him wildly for few mo-
ments, the blood spouting out of his
wound, then fell in a heap on the
deck. Then Ralph Bronson toppled
over too.
When Drury awoke and saw the
sun shining in through a portfolio he
could not understand the situation.
There was no one near him at the time
Of whom to ask questions. So. spring
ing up, he got into his clothes and
went on deck. Everything was peace
full. The crew were going about their
duties, as usual. The only noticeable
feature was man on his knees swab-
bling place on the deck. Drury went
up to him and, seeing that the water
in his bucket was red, became more
mystified than ever
What are you doingg' he asked the
man.
"Swabbing Parsons blood"
Parsons bloOd!'
Eyes; he was killed in a fight this
morning at three bells"
"WhO fought him?" asked Jack. fair
~ aghast.
"Ralph Bronson"
'Then," said Drury, "I'm going to
kill Bronson"
But Bronson knew what his friends
nrst emotions upon knowing that he
had been tricked would be and had
gone into hiding.
nrury sought the boy, half minded
to carry out his threat, but could not
md him. Then Ralph's devotion be-
gan to dawn upon him, and he sought
him to take his hand and gulp out his
thanks. Still not finding him, he wait
ed till it was time for Ralph to go on
watch. Ralph did not appear. Then
Tor the first time 1t occurred to him
that Bronson might have been killed
or at least mortally wounded. But a
member OF the crew reassured him,
telling him that the boy had not re.
ceived scratch.
Then what's he hiding from me
for?" asked Drury.
"Dcnno. After the fight they ink
him to the captains cabin. The CAP