The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-09

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the cutwater. The thought of money and the
pleasures it will buy makes cunning the stu
pidest of dolts; and Steve was ordinarily
dolt. But tonight his brain was keen enough
for all purposes. 1t was hazardous job to
get the box OF the fluke without letting it slip
back into the Steve, however, accom-
plished the feat, climbed back on the rail and
sat down, waiting. A quarter of an hour
passed. No one had seen him. With his coat
securely wrapped about his precious find he
made for the forecastle. His mates, save those
who were doing their watch, were all in their
hunks. An oil lamp dimly illuminated the
forward partition. Steve's bunk was almost
il darkness. Very deity he rolled back the
bedding and secreted the box under his pill
lows, and then stretched himself out with the
pretense of snoozing till the bell called him to
duty.
He was rich; and the moment man has
money he has troubles there is always some
one who wants to take it away from you.
His bunk was on the port side, and there waas
plenty OF hiding space between the iron plates
and the wooden partition. He intended to-
loosen three or four rlanks, and then when
Tue tAAue Cdme3 slip the DOX Den1nO them.
Some time during the morning the forecastle
would be empty, and then would be his time.
But he suffered the agonies of damnation
during his four hours watch. Surprising some
fool should 60 rummaging about his bunk and
discover the box? Suppose -. BIT he
dared not suppose. There was nothing to do
but wait. If he created any curiosity on the
part of his mates he was lost He would have
to divide with them all, from the captain down
to the cooks boy. 1t was a heart-rending
thought. 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 his shadow.
At 4 o'clock he turned in and slept like a
log.
Ir the morning he found his opportunity.
For half an hour the forecastle was empty of
all save himself. 'Feverishly he pried back the
boards, found the brace beam, and gently lail
the box there. 1t was a mighty curious look
ing box. Once he had stocked up the Chinese
coast from the Philippines, and he judged it
to be Chinese in origin. He tried to pry open
the cover and feast his eyes upon the treasure;
but under the leather and ivory and mother
OF pearl was impervious steel. 1t would take
or a crowbar to stir that lid. He sighed
He replaced the boards, and became to all
appearances his stolid self again.
But all the way down to the Bahamas he
was moody, and when he answered any ques-
ton it was with words spoken testify and
jerkily.
Il know whut's tn NATTER" said Dunkers
He's in love-"
Shut your mouth"
Didn't tell yuh z" laughed the tantalizer,
dancing toward the companionway. "Steve's
in love, r he didn't git drunk enough on shore
t satisfy his whales belly!"
A boot thudded spitefully against the door
jamb
You fellahs let me alone, r I'll bash in a
couple O. heads!"
20, yuh will. will yuh?" cried Dunkers
from the deck. :" If yuh want little exer-
else, yuh can begin on me, yuh moonsick
swab! Whut's tn matter with yuh, anyhow
Where'd yuh git this crouch? whut've we
done t yuh? HUH"
You keep out O. my way, that's all. TT
mindin' my watches, an don't ask no odds of
you buffers. What if have crouch? Is it
any o. your blame business? All right When
we step ashore at tn Bahams, Mister Jim
Dunkers, I'll tear the ropes out o your pulley
blocks. But till we git there, you t tn upper
bunk an me t NINE"
Leave tn OF crouch alone, Jim. tn
mste won't stand for no scrappin' aboard
Wen have tn thing done right in tn custom
sheds. Wen have a finish fight, Queensberry
rules, an may tn best man win." e
I'm willin'," said Jim 81
Som ]" agreed Steve But his intentions
were not honorable He proposed to desert