The Washington times., 1912-07-12
CHAPTER III.
Food And Fire.
the sea within the reefs
was fast smoothing to CLASSY
plain in the dead calm, they did


not see Blake on his return until
he struck shallow water and stood up
so wade ashore.
The tide had begun to ebb before he
started landward, and though he was a
powerful swimmer the long pull against
the current had so tired him that when
he took to wading he moved at tor
toise-like gait.
The bioomin' loafer." commented
Winthorpe. He glanced quickly about,
and at sight Of Miss Leslie's archins
brows hastened to add:
Beg pardon! He-ah--reminds me 30
much of a nevvy, you know.
Miss Leslie made no reply.
At last Blake was out Of the n y, water ter
place where he had left his clothes.
While dressing he seemed to recover
from his exertions in the water, Tor the
moment he had finished he sprang to his
feet and came forward at a brisk pace.
AS he approached, Winthrope waved
his fifth cigarette at him with ianguid
a enthusiasm and called out heartily as
his dry lips would permit:
II say, Blake" deuced glad the sharks
didn't get you! o.
to splash a little and they haul OFF.
How about the steamer, Mr.. Blake?
asked Miss Leslie. turning to face him.
IAN under but the maintopmast curse
It. Wire rigging at that. Couldn't
even g, 2 g. boil"
a
as naked on this infernal-Hey, you!
What you doing with that match? Light
your cigarette! Damnation! Light It, l
Heedless of Blake's warning cry, Win,
lthrope had struck his last vesta, ana
|. now, angry and bewildered, he stoo9
7 staring while the little taper burned
With an oath. Blake sprang to catch n,cs
lit as 1t dropped from between Wn- IN
oil 3,
sputtered, and fiared out. ..
For a moment Blake knelt, staring at
the rushes as though stupened, theh ne ne
bronzed face purple with rage ,u
Where's your match box? Got any
more?" he demanded.
there are stili two cigarettes, But look
here, Blake, i can't stand for your
talking SO deuGediyw And everv one
for cigarettes .,
From a growl Blakes voice burst burst w,no Inro
a roar Of fury. and and he resp sprans upon WIN
His hands closed upon the English
mans throat and he began to shake hlla
ab9ut He p6t paid no Seea eS neoR his
face and body-blows which soon pc
gan to lessen in force. There was muir
der in Blake's glarin,g ,s. eyes: yss,,s nut her
hands over her eyes and began 70
scream-the piercing shrek that VIII
unnerVe the strongest man
Blake paused as though transnxeo
and as the half-suffocated Englshman
writhed in his grasp he flung him on
the ground and turned to the scream
"stop that squawkingT,, he Se,ssi said Nm, I9s
girl covered. 80: that's better. NeN'
time keep your mouth shut
. Good! You've got little spunk. eh?
You coward-toS attack man OF not
half your strength ~,
!
warm enough yet. tell you; I've still
half mind to wiring his fool neck
wbst nut bss whY he S6o9lo done that yIu you ou
"Wby? Lord! What hasn't he done
This coast fairly swarms with beasts
We've not the smell of a gun; and nov
this idiot-this dough-headLhas gon' g
and thrown away our only chance0hrTe
And on his measy cigarettes 1laK'
checked with returning rage.
Winthrope, still painting for breath .a,,t,
began to step away, at the same tim
unclasping small penknlfe; he va va
which on shipboard Blake had nevel
seen other than Extensively supercilious
now glinted in manner tnat served u
alter the Americans mood.
show me that knife
the most good!' muttered Winthrope
rising hastily to repel the expected at
tack ,..,o ., too" sai,
Blake almost good naturedly. Say
that's not so bad Wen call it quits ol
the matches: Though how you could s.
EDeuce take it, man! How should
know? I've never before been in
Neither have I-this kind. But I tel
you, we've got to keep our think-tank
and that's no Joke. Now do you won
indeed, no! I've been an ass an
here's my hand to tiff you really meal
"Its quits. all right, long as you don
run out Of sand" responded Blake. an
he gripped the others soft hand unit
the E4giishman Winced WIN tsn,n bnt tnaI dS9 SS
hold Rrudses Now where's your fish?
"IEWeli they were all spoiled"
The sun had shriveled them"
And you call that spoiled? We,r
like to eat them rotten before we'r
through 9th this picnic How aoou
pools? Do you know, Blake, neVe
thought of the pools. l stopped
watch. you, and then we were so anS
Blake grunted and turned on hi
heel to wade into the halt- dralne
pool in whose midst he had been oe
posted by the hurricane.
Two or three small fish lay faintl
wriggling on the surface. AS Blak
splashed through the water to sel2
them his foot struck against livln
body, which f1oundered violently an
mashed a brilliant forked tail aboN
the muddy water. Blake sprang oVt
the fish. which was entangled in tt
reeds, and with a kick flung 1t out c
the ground.
he ran forward to stare at the go
Eeously colored prize
"Coryphene? repeated Blake, 70
lowing his example. Good to eat?
Fine as salmon. This is only
small one, but
"Fifteen pounds, II an ounce! cri'
Blake, and he thrust his nand into
pocket There was a moments silenC
and Wlnthrope, glancing up, saw 4
other staring in blank dismay'
What's up?" he asked
Lost my knife.
When? In the pool2 II we ft
mo; aboard ship, or in the surf"
Here is my knife" ~
Yes; almost big enough to whit
match! Mine would have done
some good"
1T Is the best steel"