The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1913-01-31


thought. l would by all means advise
you to take your departure tonight.
Swim back to shore the way you came.
In any case, your absence Is desired.
There will be no room or provision
or water for you on board the Jeanne
OArc after tonight. Is my meaning
clear?"
Jim was watching. as well as he
could. the immobile, expressicnless
lace. and did not Immediately note
q a 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
on his guard. He threw his head
back and laughed aloud.
But before his laugh had time to
echo In the narrow io'cas1e. Jim
ieapeo from his bunk upon his tor.
mentor. like a cat upon a mouse.
seized his right hand in a paralyzing
grip, n was himself thrown vio-
ientiy to the floor. The struggle was
trief. for the Frenchman was no
match for Jim In strength and scarce
~ superior to him in skill: but IL tool
\ OF Jim's wrestling feints to get
the better OF his opponent. He came
OUT. In five seconds. with the pistol
IN his hand. Monsieur Chatelard. q
DIT GREATNESS. but not greatly discom.
posed. peered out at him from the
ecge or the opposite bunk. where he
sat uncomfortably. His cynical voice
capped the struggle like a streak Of
pitch.
Fray keep the weapon. You are
welcome. though your methods are
somewhat surprising. Had / known
them earlier. ! might have offered you
my little toy"
Oh, don't mention IT," said Jimmy.
i thought you might not be used to
firearms, that's all"
The vanished surface Of Monsieur
C~hatelard's c~ountenance gave no evi.
dence OF his having heard Jim's re
mark.
Don't fancy that your abrupt move
ments have deprived me OF what au.
thority | may happen C possess on
this vessel. Ny request as TO your fu-
ture action still stands. unless you had
rather one 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 Oh the
bunk When II came TO dialogue. be
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 DArc pitched for.
ward until II seemed that she could
never right herself. then slowly and Ia.
b~ortously she rode the waves again.
You are a more picturesque villain
than ! thought" remarked James.
You have all the tricks OF the stage
nero-secret passages. fancy weapons.
and-crowning glory-a fatal gift OF
CAB"
Monsieur Chatelard arose. making
his way toward the hatch.
Many thanks. ! can not return the
compliment in such a happy choice Of
English" he scored. but | can truth
fully say that I have rarely seen so
striking and unique a figure as | now
behold; certainly never on the stage.
TO which you so politely refer"
But James was too deeply intent on
his next move 10 be embarrassed BY
his lack OF clothes. Not In vain had
his gorge risen almost az Arst 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.
Whateye- Chatelards crimes were.
he was not a coward. He did O
finch, but his eyes cleaned like cold
steel as Jim cornered him
Now" said Jim. Il have my turn"
Wrath burned IN his heart
Captain Paquin. Antoine. An.
toine!' called Chateiard. No one an.
swered the call OF the master OF the
ship. but even a. the tvo men meas
ured their force one against the 9th.
CT. they were arrested by a commo-
ton above. Voices were heard shout.
ing. trampling feet were running back
and forth over the deck. and a momen,
later the ships cook came tumbling
down the hatchway. screaming In
terror. He glared ~unheeding at the
two men. and his teeth Chartered
Fear had possession OF him.
Jim lifted his revolver well u OF
reach. and backed OF from Chatelard.
For the frst time during the inter.
view between the American and the
F~renchman. the two now faced each
other a. man TO man. with the mask
OF their suspicious. their vanities and
their hate cast aside.
What In the matter? wha, Ia this
fool sayingT' Jim asked in ioathine
At last Monsieur Chatelard looked
At Jim with eyes Of fear. His face be-
came 30 pale and drawn that IL re-
sembled a sponge from which the Las,
drop OF water had been pressed.
He says the yacht Is half full of
waier-that she 10 sinking" the
Freedman said
Sinking" echoed Jim, bearing
doun sraiu with laxernA rovol,~-