The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1914-09-12

made for tho forecastle. His mates
save those who were doing their
watch. were all In their hunks. An
oil lamp dlmly illuminated the for
ward partition. Steye'a bunk was
almost In darkness. Very deftly he
rolls q back tho bedding and Sc
GREETED tho box under his pillows
and then stretched himself out with
tho prctense OF snoozing I'll the
bell called him 60 duty.
lie was rich; and tho moment a
man has money no has troubles
there N always some one who wants
10 take Il away from you. His bunk
was on the port side. and there waa
plenty OF hiding space between the
Iron plates aud the wooden parti.
ton. He intended 20 loosen three
or four planks. and then when the
time came. slip the box behind
them. Some time during the morn.
Ing the forecastlc would be empty.
and then would DO his time.
But he suffered the agonies OF
damnatlon during his four hours
watch. Surprising some fool should
go rummaging about hts bunk and
discover the box Suppose /.
But he dared not suppose There
was nothing TO do but wait. II he
created any curiosity on the part
OF his mates he was lost. Hswould
have 10 divide with them all, from
tho captain down 10 the cooks boy.
10 1ua n h.. - r.ua0ur ebauats
From being the most open and
frank man aboard, he became the
most cunning. From being a man
without enemies. he saw an enemy
even In hts shadow.
At o'clock he turned In and
slept like a log.
In the morning he found his op.
portunlty. For half an hour the
forecastle was empty OF all save
himself. FeverIshly no pried back
tho boards. found the brace beams.
and gently laid the boz there II
was a mighty curious looking box.
Once he had stocked up tho Chinese
coast from tho Philippines and he
Judged II 10 be Chinese IN origin.
lie tried 20 pry open tho cover and
feast his eyes upon tho treasure:
but under tho leather and ivory and
mother OF pearl was impervious
steel. II would take an ax or a
crowbar 20 stir that I'D. lie sighed.
He replaced tho boards. and be
came TO all appearances his s,oiid
self again.
But all the way down TO the Bar
hamas he was moody. and when he
answered any question II was with
words spoken testify and ierkily.
Il know whuts tn matter" said
Dunkers. Hes IN love"
shut your mouth"
Didn't tell yuh?" laughed the
tantaliEer. dancing toward the com
panionway. "Steye's In love. r he
didn't sit drunk enough on shore &
satisfy his whales BELLY"
A boot thuddcd spitefully against
the door lamb.
You fellahs let me alone. r I'll
bash in couple o. heads'"
20. yuh will. win yuh7" cried
Dunkers from the deck. IF yeh
want a little exercise. yuh can be-
gin on mo. yuh moonsick swab,
What's tn matter with yuh. any
how? where'd yuh git this grouch7
whut've we done Z yuh? Huh?
You keep out o. my way. that's
all. I'm mindin' my watches. an
don't ask no odds OF you buffers.
What II I have n grouch7 Ia II any
o. your blame business7 All right.
When we no ashore at IN Bahams.
Mister Jim Dunkers. I'll tear the
ropes out o. your pulley blocks. But
TIL we git there. you { tn upper
bunk an me Z mine"
Leave tn oil crouch alone. Jim.
Tn mate won't stand for no scrap
pin aboard. Wen have tn thing
done right in tn custom sheds.
Well have finish fight. Queens
berry rules. an may tn best man
win"
I'm willin'," said Jim.
Som l." agreed Steve. But his