Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-05-29
thought. I would By an means advise

thought, I would by an means advise
you TO take your departure tonight
Swim back to shore the way you came.
In any case. your absence is desired.
There win be no room or provision
or water for you on board the Jeanne
D,Arc after tonight. Is my meaning
| ciear?"
Jim was watching. as well as he
could, the immobile. expressionless
face, and did not Immediately note
that Monsieur Chatelard had drawn a
small, shiny object from his hip
pocket and was holding 1t carelessly
in his lap. AS his gaze focused on
the revolver. however, he did the one
thing, perhaps, which at that mo
ment could have put the Frenchman
of his guard. He threw his head
back and laughed aloud.
But before his laugh had time to
echo in the narrow fo'cas1e, Jim
leaped from his bunk upon his tor
mentor, like a cat upon a mouse,
seized his right hand In a paralyzing
grip, and was himself thrown vio-
lently to the floor. The struggle was
brief, for the Frenchman was no
match for Jim IN strength and scarce
ly superior to him In skill; but It took
one of Jim's wrestling fetnts to get
the better Of his opponent. He came
out, in five seconds, with the pistol
in his hand. Monsieur Chatelard, a
bit ~breathless, but not greatly discom-
posed, peered out at him from the
edge Of the opposite bunk, where he
sat uncomfortably. His cynical voice
capped the struggle like a streak of
pitch.
Pray keep the weapon. You are
welcome, though your methods are
somewhat surprising. Had l known
them earlier, 1 might have offered you
my little toy"
"Oh, don't mention It," said Jimmy.
Il thought you might not be used to
firearms, that's all"
The vanished surface of Monsieur
Chatelard's c~ountenance gave no evil
dence of his having heard Jim's re-
mark.
Don't fancy that your abrupt nov
ments have deprived me of what au-
thority | may happen to possess on
this vessel. My request as to your fu-
ture action still stands, unless you had
rather n of my faithful men should
assist you in carrying out my pur-
pose"
Hambleton stood with legs wide
apart to keep his balance, regarding
the weapon in his hand, from which
his gaze travelled to the man on the
bunk. When 1t came to dialogue, he
was no match for this sarcastic pur-
veyor of words. He wondered wheth-
er Monsieur Chatelard was actually as
cool as he appeared. AS he stood
there, the Jeanne dare pitched for
ward until it seemed that she could
never right herself, then slowly and la
boriously she rode the waves again.
"You are a more picturesque villain
than / thought" remarked James.
you have all the tricks Of the stage
hero-secret passages, fancy weapons,
and-crowning glory-a fatal gift Of
gab!"
Monsieur Chatelard arose, making
his way toward the hatch.
Many thanks. l can not return the
compliment in such a happy choice of
English" he scoffed, but l can truth
: fully say that have rarely seer 30
, striking and unique. a figure as l now
: behold; certainly never on the stage,
Z to which you sc politely refer"
: But James was too deeply intent on
his next o to be embarrassed by
his lack of clothes. Not In vain had
: his gorge risen almost at first sight Of
this a He stepped quickly In front
Of Monsieur Chatelard, blocking his
, exit up the ladder, while the revolver
in his hand looked straight between
the Frenchman's eyes.
Whatever Chatelard's crimes were,
he was not a coward. He did not
finch, but his eyes cleaned like cold
steel as Jim cornered him.
e Now" said Jim, 81 have my turn
Wrath burned in his heart.
Captain Paquini Antoine, An.
toine!" called Chatelard. No one an
y swered the call of the master Of the
. ship, but even as the two men meas.
ured their force one against the 9th.
r er. they were arrested by a commo-
6 ton above. Voices were heard shout
d ing, trampling feet were running back
and forth over the deck, and a moment
later the ships cook came tumbline
d down the hatchway, screaming in
terror, He glared u~nheeding at the
g two men, and his teeth chartered
o Fear had possession Of him.
g Jim lifted his revolver well out Of
reHch, and backed off from Chatelard
1t FCI the first time during the inter
u view between the American and thu
Frenchman, the two now faced eacf
other as man to man, with the masl
of their suspicious, their vanities ant
their hate cast aside.
e. What is the matter? What ia thi,
s. fool saying?" Jim asked in loathing
A At last Monsieur Chatelard looked
e. at Jim with eyes of fear. His face be
10 came so pale and drawn that It re
N sembled a sponge from which the las
n drop of water had been pressed.
HE says the yacht is half full O
water-that she Is sinking" tn,
r. F~renchman said