The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-03-02

PASocohsAy' w Ci' uOh SuPpoS'
matters much anyway. My mates want
you pretty badly, and while they want
you, l guess you'll have to stop. Just
step down and take another look at
Harry Johnson, will you? He's raving
like a fool woman in the Doldrums.
You can turn in by and by-Fll see
what Williams can do for you-though
it's forward you must swing your ham,
mock, and no two opinions about that"
To this l answered, in tone as de-
cisive as his own, that my comings and
my gOings would be ordered by none
but myself, and that his friend must
await his turn. A long acquaintance
with rogues has conceived me that any
weakness of civility Is lost upon them,
and that firmness to the point of bru-
tally is the only weapon. / would
have shot this man dead had he given
me an impudent answer, and his sur
prise when he heard me speak was
something to sec.
mo offense, doctor" he said quickly.
TIL tell Harry you'll be along present.
ly. Don't think as we're not obliged to
you for what you've done. The boys
are ready enough to tell you so. You
take your own time, and do what's best
pleasing to you. There's work enough"
He spat his filthy tobacco Juice into
the sea, and, turning upon his heel,
went forward to Join his companions
Ny tHt ~ cdStle
Let me escape these decks. 1 re-
Elected, and how much farther was l
upon the road to flnality? I could tell
plain tale to the government, GER
tainly, and could open the doors ct this
temple of assassins to the world-but
who would crush so vast a conspiracy?
What unity OF national action, what
initiative would war upon the greater
truths Of it, hunting the tigers from
hni VII In tbA al tAs, nf hal
allies? All that / had done, all my
planning, all my thinking had left I'm
roth free man and sent me prisoner
on the deck of his ship.
This was the outcome Of my philos-
ophy as / stood by the gangway and
watched the shifting mists, here open
ing a little silvered pathways to an
arbor of delights; there beating down
again In dark clouds of vapor and
shutting all the hither scene from my
view. The men had left me alone for
the time being, but their absence
seemed greater peril. / could hear a
loud argument going on by the fo'cas-
tie and voices raised In persuasion or In
anger. The monster ship herself drift
ed helplessly, as a great stricken beast
lurching in agony and seeking only
place to end its woes. Every faculty
that I possess told me that I was in
great danger. These rogues would
come forward presently and put some
proposition to me. So argued nor did
the night give me the lie. Shutting
and hesitating they came. some 20 or
more of them, before another hour had
passed, all together in deputation, and
as ready, / would swear, to cut me
down here stool, as to drink the rum
which an obliging purser had served
out to them.
The American, perceived, was to be
their chief speaker, and with him was
the man called Bill Evans. Advancing
by the promenade deck in body, they
seemed to find some little. difficulty
when 1t came to expressing themselves
in plain English and had the situation
been less dangerous, 1t would have been
amusing enough.
well, my men," l cried, being careful
to have the first word at them; what
is it. now? Speak up, 1 shall not eat
you"
BEG pardon, sir, we wish YOU to
know that Will Rayner has been made
captain Of this Ship and that he wishes
you to go below"
The man named Evans spoke. and
must say his manner was diverting
enough.
THAT is very considerate of Mr.. Will
lam Rayner," said with a laugh. "Will
he not step forward--am 1 not to have
He's back there by the capstan, sir.
We're depytashun, IL you please. Will
won't have nobody aft the gallery, and
that's his plain words. You're to go
below and to wait until you're sent for"
I looked the speaker full in the face
and laughed at him contemptuously.
my men," I said calmly addressing
them all together, do you wish to be
afioat tomorrow morning. or is this ship
and all aboard her to be at the bottom
Of the Atlantic?"
They were evidently perplexed. The
gentleman by name Of Bill Evans con-
tinued to speak.
me and my mates, begin your par
don sir-we don't fall in with that.
YOU'RE fair marooned. and that's the
end Of 1t. Will says as he means well
by you. but while you're on this ship.
you'll obey him and nobody else. Hum
bly, representa- It, sir, well have to see
that you do as Will says"
took pistol from my pocket and
deliberately cooked it. This was touch
and go for my very life. Had I shot
one of those men, knew that 1t would
all be over in an instant. and that they
would either bow the knee to me or
murder me on the spot.
NOW, see here" said I. my yachts
lying out yonder not biscuit toss from
this deck. If you give me as much as
dnOtueT WOTu VI iIIlpuuelCe, LII SEM
you and every ruff1ian aboard here
to hades as sure as this Is a
revolver, and there are cartridges
in it, Go and tell Mr.. Will Rayner
what I say, for, by the Lord above
me, I will go myself and fetch him,
If you do not"
I have said that the moment was
critical beyond any through which I
have lived, and truer word could
not be spoken. There we. stood, the
angry seamen upon one side, myself
upon the other. each party knowing
that the issue was for good and all,
and yet neither willing to bring the
instant Of 1t upon us. AS for these
wretched fellows, do not believe that
they would have lifted hand against
me had 1t not been for the American
who melted them. He was the ring
leader despite the newly made captain,
and his mock authority. And he was
the dangerous man with whom I had
to deal
II guess your yacht may be where
you say she is" he remarked with
drawl "but she's got to hustle If
she wants to come up with us this
summer weather. Don't you be too free
with yoru pistol, doctor, or some of us
will have to take 1t from you. You're
clove-hitch, and had better keep q
civil tongue in your head, or maybe
we'll cut it out and see what it's made
of. Now just you come along o. me
and don't make no trouble about it..
In tv,b 20