Evening star., 1912-11-10
Continued from page 2

1ufn1Sned TO a Sn1pped man Dy the DOardlng
masters, no matter how he has been shipped.
To his surprise, as he attacked the dinner,
he found Quincy and Bensen, each with a
similar outfit of tinware, toying with the
food, and paying no attention to the polyglot
discourse of the other men regarding the
ship, the mates, and the food. But they
glared menacingy at Rogers as he entered.
This your work, Rogers?' demanded
Quincy. Were you in cahoots with that
saloonkeeper?"
"Shut up" answered Rogers, stabbing at
piece of salt beef with his knife.
1--WE won't shut up!" said Benson, spoon
ing up pea soup with his brand new tin
extent of a shorter shrlft."
60 to the devil the pair of you! was
doped and shanghaied myself, and I've run
foul o the mates, same as you did-and for
less reason too
"Well, they'll sweat for this, and you too,
Rogers" said Quincy.
"Shut up! You're up against something
now that gunplay doesn't figure in. You're
aboard Yankee hell ship, and you We got to
make the best of it.
Il wouldn't if had my gun, said Quincy
moodily.
@Yes," added Benson, with a gun could
have my own way
Rogers Strengthened back, looked them
steadily in their faces, and said, IF you had
your guns, what would you do?'
"Make this ship put back and land us"
answered Quincy.
Benson" said Rogers, "what would you
do with a gum"
@Shoot 'ern full of holes until they turned
this boat back"
"Are you game?" asked Rogers? "Un-
derstand that you'll be alone. l wouldn't
help you; for, having been sailor, | know
what mutiny means in the courts. I'd
rather go back with either of you to stand
trial than to engage in open mutiny.'
Hang your mutiny!' said Quincy.
"Were not sailors; we never agreed to make
this VOYAGE I'm an officer of the law
"Feel the same way, Benson?' asked
Rogers.
"The same. Give me gun, and I Il make
that Captain and his two assistants walk
chalkline.
The rest of the men, engaged with their
dinner, had paid no attention to this dis
course, and Rogers rose up, reached into his
there on wakening. listen" he said:
BILL RoGERs.-You seem to be a square
fellow and up against it. l had to dope you
because you would not have signed if you knew
the other two would have gone along. But
needed just three men; SO | doped you all.
You'll find their guns and belts in your bag.
Of course. YOU will know what to do if you get
in trouble. Good luck.
"Now," said Rogers, @those guns are not
now in my bag, and you can't find them
without my say-so; but, if put you onto
them, will you two call it off? Will you let
up, and go back reporting that l had es-
capped? If you get ashore by any means, will
you take me with you and turn me loose?"
They each looked steadily at Rogers for
moment or two; then Quincy spoke.
3If you can furnish me my gun, Bill, it's
all off. I'll resign my job, if necessary; but
| won't hunt you any more"
Benson" asked Rogers.
"The Canadian Mounted Police and the
whole Colonial Government can go hang
Give me gun, Rogers, and III trouble you
no more!"
p OGERS was about to speak, when the
- big first mate appeared at the fore
castle door, and said in the forceful manner
of deep water mates:
Turn to. Where's that bloody minded
stage robber? Hey! Here you are. Get
aft to the wheel again. You can steer, if you
are a murderer
"All right, Sir" answered Rogers defer
entially, and then in whisper to the two,
he said, "In my bag, halfway down. Two
guns and two belts