Evening star., 1911-05-28

HURRICANE HAZARD
Continued from page 10

something creeping along the companion
way-something implacable grim with pur-
pose.
A sudden shock of the wheel reused him.
He staggered, falling on his knee to the deck.
A woman's anguished scream pierced his
1t all happened together. He saw Molly's
terrified face in the hatchway; he saw big
Casco bound inboard from the main chains
But over him, as he turned, puzzled, another
huge form loomed up, deadly threatening
1t was the giant mutlneer, gr1nn1ng faced,
with familiar uplifted knife.
There was no chance for Hazard to deal
that terrible right hand blow now. Why not
let him do it? 1t was better so, maybe. 1t
was unfair, after all he had gone through;
but But Hurricane Hazard was not one
to take death cringing. He saw the cruel
eyes flash warning, and he saw the blow
coming. AS it fell, he sprang in from his
knees, clutching the negro round the waist.
The blow fell. Specks and flashes danced
before his eyes-the sound of great bell
tolled in his head. As the negro rose, shak-
ing himself free to face the boarding party,
Hazard fell over on the deck, defiant cry
choking in his throat.
CLOSE squeak, I call it, that crack on the
- head" the Sandy Hook Captain said.
"If you hadn't gone at him, the fellow would
have got you in the back instead of glanc-
ing blow. Reckon he never saw us coming.
By George! but you've had lively run in
Bunker's old schooner, from looks Of things,
Lad!"
Dazed and faint, Hazard found himself
sitting on the hatch, answering duly the
eager questions of the Life men. They had
chased him out to sea all night, they said,
after Casco and his crew reached the Hook,
picked up by the Morgan liner Apache.
Casco would not quit. By George! he ought
to have salvage, for what he done!
Listlessly he answered them. There was
nothing more for him to do now. His work
was over. The life savers had taken charge
The Nancy Lee was racking homeward
down coast.
He did not care how soon they made port
sooner the better. He heard the voices in
the cabin, happy voices Casco and his
wife and boy-and Molly. They naturally
Just then from below came Skipper Bun
ker's hoarse voice. "Saved the ship and
saved all hands, that's what the lad did! 1t
was worth the price to see him bowl over
that black rascal-fell down like the walls of
Jericho, the fellow did! You and your Life
Service! Half owner of this ship Hurricane
Hazard is, and skipper to boot, from last
night! Glory be! have no kith or KIM
An appreciative chuckle ran round the
deck The Sandy Hook Captain patted
Hazards shoulder by way of congratulation.
But Hazards eyes were fixed on slim girls
figure, clinging to Big Jem Casco's arm, as
the life Captain crossed the deck to him.
Captain Casco of Ships Bottom was not
a man of words-not today, anyway. But
his hand was out, and Hazard, flushing hot
and going white, grasped it, his eyes on the
girls
$50 you'd join the Life, would you, Lad?"
Casco said, sweeping away the past in one
broad smile. II for one say aye! We want
men like you. But you heard Bunker, and
he's man of his word, if he is wooden
headed crew driver"
Hazards eyes still held to the girl, ques-
ton in them. Casco guessed it, and his
booming laugh rang out.
"You'd do the Life proud; but women do
like man O property-and Molly here
takes naturally to shipping the right
skipper. Eh, Girl?"
Miss Molly laughed too, and blushed as
she properly should, and Hurricane laughed
joyously, and the Sandy Hook Captain
laughed, backed up by the Sandy and Ships
Bottom crews. Life or sea-let the girl de-
eide! And without possibility of adverse
fate, Hazard knew that Mollys decision