The Detroit times., 1912-11-13


I gloom and threaded through II at a
decorous pace, or swung rhythmical.
ly on a station. wind from the
north and east blew chill across the
face OF the waters. and the outgoing
and incoming steam traffic hooted
helm signals in forty keys. The cool,
damp, muddy riversmell. with It's
tinge of sewage, came to him like an
old friend.
Rice. chopstickse and pigtails for
mine" Mr.. Kettle reminded himself
again. "But they say the Chinese
girls are fine" And then, humping
the dew-pocked gunwale with hard
fst-"No, I'm blowed II do he
swore. The beastly British board
OF trade shan't run me out OF my pro-
fession, simply because I've done my
duty In that state OF life to which II
pleased the lord to eaA me- Win
out in spite OF all their teeth, and conf
mand British ships for white owners
on the decent seas. And III marry
At that point, apparently from the
parting OF it's halyards, the lug'sali
descended suddenly and enveioped
Mr. Kettle In its damp dew-sodden
folds. The yard also hit him on the
head, and for an instant he was
driven below the gunwale level. But
II took more than a triie like that TO
knock a western ocean mate out OF
time. He was up again on the In
slant.
You clumsy swine" he bawled
from beneath his covering TO the boat
men. "I'll teach you TO rig boat.
Clear away this wreck"
He sat up, and the top OF his head
under the sail showed az a round
dome beneath the moonlight. On II,
at the full strength OF the steermans
arm, descended the oaken tiller, and
Mr. Kettle subsidized as q bull does
when 1t is poleaxed.
Said Alfred, the shabby man in the
bows, making no effort to move Or
help You've done II now. Arthur.
When you signed to me to cut the
halyards. never thought you meant
murder"
Murder be bowed" retorted his
friends. II doubt If I've put him 10
sleep for an hour. You'll see he'll
wake up again in sixty minutes pune
tual to the clock, and as full OF ginger
as he can stick He's n hard case,
mate, this one. II ever saw such g
fellow, and he'll carry a skull like u
cannon-ball, or he'd have had IL frac
tured long before this. Now we'll
just inspect his bank balance To be
true 10 his type he should carry the
bulk of il in money belt next the
meat Let's inspect. There, didn't |
tell you? And IL Just take the lib
erty OF dropping this revolver over
into the ditch. | don't fancy myself
as a marksman. and II | started any
fancy shooting with II should prob
ably, bag my dear, old pal. Alfred. in
stead OF the bearded one here Well,
old son. here's thirty bob, and I'll keep
the balance as my share and agents
commission"
But what are wa going TO do with
him? II we take him ashore he'll lay
a complaint"
Don't you believe II, old son. His
nibs here has kicked over the traces
killed deck-hano, as likely as not,
and was shy about going on to Liver
pool 10 meet the police on the pier
head. You can bet he didn't switch on
and come with us just on account OF
our looks. And when he steps ashore,
the only thing he'll ask for will be
to slip quietly away and no questions
asked"
Alfred shivered Il shall be glad
enough to see the last Of him. Hes
tough-looking customer. hope
he'll start to run quick"
He would II he was let. The
trouble for him will be that we've got
further Use for him"
Alfred was clearly distressed. Il
won't be a party to any more games
he babbled.
Wait till you're invited, old son."
But what are you up to? 1t isn't
murder? | couldn't stand that. IL
believe I'd inform II you did
My brave boy, calm your twitter-
ing nerves The gentleman Is far
more valuable. to us alive than dead.
He is going TO ship as fireman on a
voyage 10 Valparaiso. and we-or,
perhaps, I. should say as you don't
seem inclined to chip in-I will draw
his advance pay. Twig?"
But he'll come to before you can
get him to Birkenhead or Liverpoo,,
and shipped"