The Press., 1911-02-08

fight on a disabled man. why don'C you take a well oneT'
 ''So you're going to chip into this af- fair, are you? We all know that you're tackled on to Drury and must be treat ed as he is treated. After Pm through with him I'll rub your nose in the scuppers.''
 "Just as Drury once served you"
 Parsons, with a scowl, went off about his duties. Bronson was disap- pointed. He wished to pick a quarrel that he might take Drury's place. Go ing below, Ralph, who was to be his friends packer in the fight, had a final talk with his principal, and it 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 a cutlass and went on deck.
 ''W'hat's the matterY said Parsons as Ralph approached. "Has he backed out?"
 "No; he's asleep. I've come in his stead"
 ''Oh, I don't want to fight boy. I must have the man who challenged me-"
 You'll fight me before you fight him, for Pm between you and him, and you can't get at him without go- ing past me-"
 With that Bronson took up a posi- tion he had learned in the British army. Parsons went at him as he would attack 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 el- bow. The arm was round, but there was a fair muscle on it. Parsons, an gry at not being able to get at his en- emy, 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 porthole 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 a man on his knees swab- ping 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 doing? he asked the man.
 ''Swabbing Parsons blood"
 Parsons bloodv'
 "Yes; he was killed in a fight this morning at three bells"
 ''Who fought him?" asked Jack, fair. ly aghast.
 "Ralph Bronson"
 ''Then," said Drury, "I'm going to kill Bronson"
 But Bronson knew what his friends first emotions upon knowing that he had been tricked would be and had gone into hiding.
 Drury sought the boy, half minded to carry out his threat, but could not find 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 for the first time it 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 a scratch.
 "Then what's he hiding from me for?" asked Drury.
 "Dunno. After the fight they tux him to the captains cabin. The cap- tain gave i'm a bunk by hisself. That's all knows about it."
 Drury fretted and fumed. At four bells in the afternoon an American ship appeared, coming right on the Eaglet'S course. When she drew near she was spoken, and the Eaglet's cap- tain went aboard of her. He returned with bundle
 At six bells Drury received word that the captain wished to see him in his cabin. Drury hurried there and found not the captain, but Ralph Bronson in woman's clothes.
 That's the end of the story. In a few days the Eaglet stopped at New port, where Drury and the woman whatever her name might be-went ashore and were seen no more on the privateer. Later a sum of prize mon- ey was paid to John Drury and Emma Bronson Drury in equal shares.