The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-05-16

night possibly. Az we have mace
rather slow progress, we are reaAy
not 80 far from shore. Yes, on second
thought, | 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
Dare after tonight. Is my meaning
clear?"
Jim was watching, as we'll as ne
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 it 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
off his guard. He threw his head
back and laughed aloud.
But before his laugh. had time to
echo in the narrow fo'casle, Jim
leaped from his bunk upon his tor
mentor, like cat upon 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 1t took
: one 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.
. bit breathless. but not greatly discom-
, posed, peered out at him from the
1 edge Of the opposite bunk, where he
, sat uncomfortably His cynical voice
n capped the struggle like streak OF
q pitch
4 Pray keep the weapon. You are
r welcome, though your methods are
e somewhat surprising. Had | known
r. them earlier, might have offered you
my little toy"
r. "Oh, don't mention It," said Jimmy
d II thought you might not be used te
Q firearms. that's all"
D The vanished surface Of Monsieur
Chatelard's countenance gave no evi
D. dence of his having heard Jim's re
X mark
Or Don't fancy that your abrupt move
ID ments have deprived me Of what au
70 thority | may happen to possess Of
this vessel. My request as to your FL
s. ture action still stands, unless you ha
e rather one of my faithful men shout
Us assist you in carrying out my pul
x pose"
III Hambleton stood with legs wild
IS. apart to keep his balance, regardin
d. the weapon In his hand, from whic
Mt his gaze travelled to the man on tn
IN, bunk. When 1t came to dialogue, b
to was no match for this sarcastic pu
ut veyor of words. He wondered whet
tie er Monsieur Chatelard was actually
ed cool as he appeared. AS he stoc
NIX there, the Jeanne D'Arc pitched TO
ats ward until 1t seemed that she cou
never right herself, then slowly and
nd boriously she rode the waves again.
tic you are a more picturesque villa
My than | thought" remarked Jane
IN you have all the tricks Of the sta
or hero-secret passages, fancy weapon
in and-crowning glory-a fatal gift
ide gab!"
on Monsieur Chatelard arose, makil
en-, his way toward the hatch.
'er, Many thanks. can not return t
e.. compliment in such happy choice
aid. English. he scoffed. but can tru
bod fully say that l have rarely seen
'as, striking and unique figure as | NJ
He behold; certainly never on the stai
the to which you SO politely refer"
In But James was too deeply intent
we'd his next move to be embarrassed
his lack OF clothes Not In vain b
ted his gorge risen almost at first sight
ent this man He stepped quickly In fri
of Monsieur Chatelard, blocking
he exit up the ladder, while the revol'
in his hand looked straight betwe
ken the Frenchman's eyes.
al Whateve- Chatelard's crimes we
ven- he was not a coward He did
rea- finch, but his eyes cleaned like C
IL steel as Jim cornered him.
mo- Now" said Jim, Il have my TUT
to Wrath burned in his heart.
aon- Captain Paquin! Antoine,
eng toine!" called Chatelard. No one
say swered the call of the master of
TINS ship, but even as the two men me-
ured their force one against the (
can er, they were arrested by com
JIM ton above Voices were heard sh,
lofe- ing, trampling feet were running b
luce and forth over the deck, and MON
anu later the ships cook came tumbl
no' down the hatchway, screaming
Dig terror. He glared unheeding at
the two men, and his teeth chatte
ppeo Fear had possession of him.
Jim lifted his revolver well ou
uosO roach and hacked off from Charel