River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-01-30
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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 well as he
could, the immobile, expressionless
face, and did not Immediately note
that Monsieur Chatelard had drawn
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 a cat upon a mouse,
seized his right hand in a paralyzing
grip, and was himself thrown VIC
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 feints to get
the better of his opponent. He came
out, in five seconds, with the pistol
in his hand. Monsieur Chatelard,
bit GREATNESS, but not greatly discom-
posed, peered out at him from the
edge of the opposite bunk. where he
sat uncomfortable His cynical voice
capped the struggle like streak of
pitch.
pray keep the weapon. You are
welcome, though your4methods are
somewhat surprising. Had l known
them earlier 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 countenance gave no evil
| dence of his having heard Jim's re-
| mark.
Don't fancy that your abrupt move
ments have deprived me of what au-
thority l 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 it 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 Ia
boriously she rode the waves again.
you are 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 happy choice of
English" he scoffed, "but | can truth
/ fully say that | have rarely seen so
striking and unique figure as l now
behold; certainly never on the stage,
| to which you so 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.
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.
Now" said Jim, Il have my turn"
Wrath burned in his heart.
Captain Paquin! Antoine, An
toine!" called Chatelard. No one an
swered the call of the master of the
ship, but even as 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 a 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 off from Chatelard.
For the first time during the inter
view between the American and the
other as man to man, with the mask
of their suspicious, their vanities and
| their hate cast aside.
what is the matter? What is this
| fool saying?" Jim asked in loathing.
At last Monsieur Chatelard looked
| at Jim with eyes of fear. His face be-
! came so pale and drawn that it re-
sembled a sponge from which the last
drop of water had been pressed.
HE says the yacht is half full of
water-that she is sinking" the
Frenchman said.
"Sinking!" echoed Jim, bearing
down again, with lowered revolver, on
his enemy. well and good! You're
going to be drowned, not shot, after
all! And now you shall speak, you
scamp! Your games up, whatever
| Appeal to 4