The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-08-22

the roundabout method or stealing
stuff from the hulk must appeal to
the stratagem loving Chinaman.
A plot Of such magnitude necessitat.
ed the employment of many confed.
lain had received his share there mus,
be goodly portion for the chief plot.
ter: hence business must he done on
large scale
As Philip pondered these things his
ears were strained toward the upper
landing. where a confused murmur
rose and fell. Presently II Increased
to roar, and II was apparent that
whatever had been Transporting IN the
fog had been interrupted and intense
excitement was rampant among the
coolies and boatmen.
Then there was silence for several
moments while they sat listening
Suddenly Philip uttered warning
cry:
Let her go. Teter. Great Scott,
we're In for 1t! Look OUT"
There was hurried rush down the
stone steps. the dull thud Of many bare
running feet. and then Il score of phan-
tom hands seemed to take possession
of the launch and its occupants.
While the two men in the launch had
expected an attack Of some kind If
their presence in that vicinity should
be discovered, they were unprepared
for such Il sudden and fierce onslaught
For an instant only were they dis
concerted; then they sprang to meet
their ASSISTANTS halfway-nay. three
quarters way-for that is an Ameri.
can trait.
Peter Cook grabbed wrench and
laid about him Justify among heads
and hands that he could only guess
were bobbing about in the darkness
which surrounded the launch.
Philip was wrestling silently with
pair of strong. half naked coolies. who
had seized upon him and were endeav-
oring to pin!on his arms.
AS he struggled Philip was conscious
that numbers We're being added to the
attacking party. He heard the breath
Ills va anu ne w ~ Nv arc VI tiG
presence of many human beings about
him-iD the water. on the stone steps
AMI on the wharf above him.
Philip knew that he and Peter would
soon be overpowered by the increasing
numbers, and so, with a great and des-
perate effort. he thrust aside the cling
ing hands that were menacing him
and. bending down to the engine. open
ed the valve and In breath's time had
returned to his fight. and now he found
three coolies to deal with instead Of
two. and the fighting was hard.
With sudden swish the launch
backed violently away from the land.
Ing. overturning the swarming coolies
ard cutting swath through the crowd
which had gathered in the water about
them.
Philip struggled with his three as
sailants, expecting every moment to re-
ceive a knife thrust or to feel gar.
roter's cord encircie his throat The
odds were much against them. but 1t
was evident that it WAS the intention
of the attackers to take the foreigners
elive-to make them prisoners. but not
to harm them
The launch cleared herself from the
swarTEing coolies. leaving wake OF
broken heaGs and angry yelps.
With ii final effort Philip dealt a Wig
orous blow through the darkness to
the man on bis left The coolie dou-
bled Imply. poised on the gunwale and
then disappeared into the inky black
ness. AS he struck the rail the boat
lurched. and this sudden shock knock.
ed the two remaining coolies from
their feet. and. with jabbering shrieks.
they, too, vanished.
Then Philip turned his attention to
Peter Cook. whose PROSTATE form he
could dimly discern in the bottom Of
the boat.
He took a small dark lantern from a
locker and turned its ray on the face
of the boy.
Peter opened bis eyes, blinked and
stared curiously at Philip.
"Are you all right. PeterT' asked
Philip anxiously.
'Sure thing!" said Peter briskly as
he struggled to his feet and took the
wheel. 81 hope l wouldn't squeal for
a burned chink. Whe-e-e. but that
fellow gave me clip! expect I'll
be dizzy the rest Of my life"
The lantern disclosed knob-like
bunch on the back Of the boys head.
II am glad It's no worse" said Phil
ip as he dipped his handkerchief in
the water and applied 1t to the injured
spot whats that?" he asked sharply.
THAT" was the crack Of a revolver
and. together with the sharp spat Of
bullet in the water near by, testified
that they were still pursued.
They were dashing through the wa
ter at top speed now and, aided by the
wouldssoon be abreast of the
foreign quarteN Although the thick
fog still encircled them, the blurred
dimness Of houseboat lights along the
shore indicated that they were well in
the middle Of the stream.
Suddenly dark shape doomed before
them, and the launch crashed into an
obstruction and then rebounded, only
to I'll at once and sink out Of sight
Philip and the boy Jumped at the in