The Tupelo journal., 1912-11-29

continued without giving his victim
time to analyxe this astonishing state.
ment-"it just wouldn't be you II you
didn't try to hand your friends the
doublscross. That bags stuffed with
loot-ths best part Of the truck they
were running this trip-jewelv for a
dollar. And hats why. ycv see,
they're 20 infatuated with the MeA OF
shaking your hand and wringing yoaf
neck before you get away; thA''vs
just discovered your psrndy. But
don't you fret. Here We are and long
before they can drive that seincboat
this far well be sailing merrily away"
With this assurance A~ppleyard rose,
catching the Echo's side - Coast
smoothly alongside the larger vessel.
"Steady on!" he said. Coast, you
FIRST, and give q hand to Mrs. Black
stock. Now, you"-to Blackstock.
when Coast had helped Katherine into
the cockpit-"and step lively! Your
close for comfort. Coast, I'd
suggest that Mrs. Blackstock step be-
low until we get under way; there's
apt to be a bit Of shooting, I'm afraid,
II We don't look sharp"
Katherine sought Coasts eyes; he
nodded a grave affirmation into hers.
"Only a few moments" he said, Of
fering her his hand. Without a word
she accepted it and let herself down
into the dark interior of the cabin.
Now. Coast, the anchor-lively!"
Coast Strengthened up hastily.
Blackstock was in his way, standing
in the corner of the cockpit between
the cabin-trunk and the coaming,
while Appleyard was h~urriedly taking
up the engine-pit hatch. So the young
er man stepped unsuspiciously to star
board across the center-board trunk
into the very arms of calamity.
What followed fell like a bolt from
the blue and passed with its rapidly.
A~ppleyard stood to port with his
back TO Blackstock. in the act OF put
ting the hatch aside. Coast On he
seward side was On the point Of lift
Ing himself to the top Of the cabin,
with intent to 20 forward and cast OF
the anchor. There was crossing his
mind the veriest hint of q suspicion
that the blackness In the shadow OF
the unfurled canvas, above the cabin.
was more dense and tangible than It
should be, when this shadow, Seeming
ly with a single movement, rose above
him like q cloud, towering As huge
and terrifying, its black human bulk
plotting put the blazing stars, as the
tabled jinnee of the fisherman's bottle;
doomed ~menacingly above him in the
enormous nakedness Of Chang, and
fell Upon him with the fury and re-
rocity of a panther.
For a few chaotic seconds he re-
manned conscious, feeling himself
crushed and borne down irresistibly
to the deck, then lifted like a bag Of
grain and hurled directly into the
black, gaping nav of the companion
way.
Something came in painful contact
with his skull, and the world vent up
IN y DlaZG OIL CTIulSUu udulCs
CHAPTER XXI.
Through the empty murk a the
blasted, blackened world strange
ghosts OF thoughts, cares, strange
blind weeping faces of things that he
had known scurried like mice through
the night of an empty house, came out
Of darkness, passed into darkness, and
returned, plucking at him with weak,
futile hands, crying unfortunately for
heed and recognition; but when he
tried to know them, they were gone,
leaving only the ache of effort. . d.
Then suddenly he was conscious,
lying at the bottom of q pit Of ever
lasting midnight, his limbs constrained
In unnatural positions, his head racked
by splitting pains, but singularly, soft
ly pillowed, his face gently believed
with drops of moisture, soft and warm.
He struggled to rise, stirred, muir
INJURED incoherently, and slid back into
insensibility.
When again intelligence returned to
him, there was light-a strong and
yellow glare flooding the cabin of the
Echo from the lamp rocking in it's
gimbals overhead. A face bent above
his-Katherine's; his head lay in her
lap; and another face, A~ppleyards,
was close beside that fairer one. On
both he read anxiety, compassion and
solicitude.
Hello he said weakly.
Feeling better?" asked Ap%pleyard.
Some" Coast essayed a smile,
and made a failure of it, then with
a sudden return to memory put forth
an effort that cost him the agony OF
feeling a jagged tongue of fame lick
through his brain, and sat up. What's
happened" he asked thickly.
"a little something Of everything un-
pleasant" said Appleyard. You had
Observation-Disclosures 1NNHIMNn