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

o SO 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 IL desired.
There will be no room or provision
or water for you on board the Jeanne
DArc after tonight. Ia my meaning
clear?"
Jim was watching. as well as he
could. the immobile, expressionless
lace, 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 n
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 fo'cas1e. Jim
ieape6 from his bunk upon his tor
mentor. like a cat upon a mouse.
seized his right hand in q paralyzing
grip. and was himself thrown vio-
ientiy to the floor. The struggle wal
trief. for the Frenchman was no
match for Jim in strength and scarce
~ superior to him in skill; but it 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. n
bit breathless. but not greatly discom-
posed. peered out at him from the
eoge or the opposite bunk. where. he
sat uncomfortably. His cynical voice
capped the struggle like q streak Of
pitch.
Pray keep the weapon. You are
welcome. though your methods are
somewhat surprising. Had I known
them earlier. ! might have offered you
my little toy"
"Oh, don't mention It." said Jimmy.
/ thought you might not be used TO
firearms. that's all"
The vanished surface OF Monsieur
Chatelard's countenance gave no evi.
enc 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 to possess on
this vessel. My 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 on the
bunk. When 1t came I 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 D'Arc pitched for
ward until II seemed that she could
never right herself. then slowly and Ia.
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. / can not return the
compliment in such a happy choice of
English" he scoffed, but can truth.
fully say that / have rarely seer SO
striking and unique a figure as | now
behold; certainly never on the stage.
to which you 30 politely refer"
But James was too deeply intent on
his next move to be embarrassed by
his lack OF clothes. Not in vain had
his gorge risen almost at first sight of
this man. 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.
Whateve- Chatelard's crimes were.
he was o a coward. He did not
finch. but his eyes cleaned like cold
steel az Jim cornered him.
Now" said Jim, Il have my turn
WTatn burned III MS neart.
Captain Paquin! Antoine. An.
toine!" called Chatelard. No one an.
swered the call Of the master of the
ship. but even a the two men meas
ured their force one against the 9th.
er. they were arrested by a commo.
ton above. Voices were heard shout.
ing, trampling feet were running back
and forth over the deck, and q moment
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 out 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 as man to man. with the mask
Of their suspicious. their vanities and
their hate cast aside.
What Ia the matter? What IL this
fool saying?" Jim asked In ioathins.
At last Monsieur Chatelard looked
at Jim with eyes Of fear. His face be.
came 30 pale and drawn that Il re-
sembled q sponge from which the last
drop of water had been pressed.
He says the yacht Is half full of
water-that she Ia sinking" the
Frenchman said.
"Sinking!" echoed Jim. bearing