The Detroit times., 1912-11-27

the boats skin keeps out their gas
pipe bullets, though l don't think II
will"
The kherbs had heard the steamers
coming by this time, as the renewed
phosphorescence from their oars show
ed very plainly. But they strung out
into a line and gave themselves over
as her prey. She had worked up by
this time to the full eight knots OF
her speed, and Kettle steered her into
the rearmost kherb, and drove over II,
and then held on for the next ahead.
| Those OF the lighters crew who were
wise struck out straightway for the
shore Those who had more talent for
! hghting leaped for the Wangaroo's
7 low rail- as they stamped the wreck OF
their own craft under water, and
hauled themselves up, and were met
! by trenZied white men failing al
them with iron clubs. Whaok, crash,
crunch went the, belaying-pins. and
true believers fell back into Paradise
or the lagoon.
The kangaroo scraped over the
ruins OF the hrst kherb. crunched
through the second. and OF her own
accord put In her celebrated sheer to
starboard and bagged the third. But
she was a slow little tub when all was
said and done, and, anyway, she was
not built for ram, and the impacts
had shaken her good deal. and
knocked OF her pace and upset her
steering, and kherb number four. furi-
ously rowed, managed To beach itself
and emit its crew intact
but still don't call that bad !" said
a quiet voice from behind, and Captain
! Kettle rang on his engines and turned
round TO gaze on a lighted cigar and
the face OF Sidi Mohammed Bergash.
Get down of my bridget
The little sailor yapped out the
words with venomous precision. and
then turned to the two other figures
behind. "As 70 you, sir, you may be
my owner, but OF your own free will
heard you offer TO serve under by
command, and I'm ashamed OF your
lack OF discipline. AS TO your place.
miss, make no suggestion, but II
you've heard all the language that's
been flying about on this bridge dur
ing this last ten minutes. and liked II,
I'm sorry for your taste. that's al"
Il apologize, Skipper said Sir
George
Very good, sir. Make It so. Take
that native gentleman with the Eng.
lish accent down below, and keep him
there till | come And II he doesn't
want to go. tell the bo's'n TO put him
In irons. BY James. I'm going to have
discipline on this ship, or I'll know
the reason Why"
When these had left the upper deck,
out OF sheer delight In his own skill
/ In seamanship land I'm afraid also
through knowledge that Miss Dubbs
was a spectator In the life-boat behind
thim) Kettle swung the steamer round
and, plotting course through the url-
relieved dark, made back for the spot
whence he had started.
He returned as he had come, full
steam ahead, and only slowed up TO
bring the steamers forefoot TO a stand
still on the anchor buoy.
We'll, OF all the beastly gallery
tricks ] ever saw" sneered Mr.. Treth-
ewy. the mate. on the forecastle head
as he oversaw the picking up OF the
buoy.
But don't you wish you could do II
yourself. my SOM" hiccoughed Mr.. Nc
Todd from under the break OF the fore
castle. Painting deck-houses IL about
all you're good at. | don't trust you
TO make fast a mOoring rope unless
oversee IL myself afterward TO make
sure you haven't slippery hitch. My
young friend, | tell ye that the officers
and crew OF this packet are a great
source or anxiety 10 the Old Man and
myself, and II anybody dislikes that
statement I'm free to fight him this
minute. And now, the night being
hot and maneuvers being over, I'm
going to drop into the lagoon for bit
OF swim. Leave me this ropes end
over the side TO climb back by"
In the meanwhile argument held
SWAY In the saloon.
I'm afraid" said the saint, from
your point OF view II must look uncom.
monty fshy,"
I'm sure my skipper thinks So"
Sir George agreed
Well, I'll ask you not TO let him
hang me out OF hand, which | gather
would be his agreeable method OF max
ing all things entirely safe: and, OF
course. II you Insist on keeping me
on board as a hostage, I shall have 10
stay. But, really, think should be
OF more use 10 you ashore. These
aren't my people, as I've told you, but
as kaid OF the big Berber tribe here
abouts ] have good deal OF local
influence"
Sir George Chesterman rubbed his
chin. This attack will take q bit Of
explaining, you know"
If you mean your captains I'M
provoked attack on some boats that
hadn't harmed him. | should say Il
will"
The big untidy Englishman laughed.
OF course. those four or five hun
dred armed ruffians had come ous
merely for Guiet evenings row!
However, my dear man, we won't
worry about past history. The ques-
ton Is; Whats going 10 be done
next. We, | should again like TO re-
mind you, have come here TO salvage
that steamer, and the sooner we get
it the better Il will be for the neigh.
borhood."
The Berber chief threw back his
head; there was a hard CLINT in his
blue eyes. We'll, you VIII not get
! the steamer. BY the customs OF this
coast she belongs TO the people OF
the coast, and | am going to see that
they get her."
II thought you said an hour ago
I that yon were q rich man. What
goods this wretched old wreck to you,
even II you can realize on her. which
Is doubtful"
l.. a. Ma