The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-10-30

and CLASSY. Through the cleaning
with the aid Of glasses. figures might
be seen moving about her decks; and
az II grew still more dark she lowered
small boat that heretofore had
swung in davits. A little later faint
humming noise drifted across the tide
Power tender" the owner of the
Seaventure interpreted. Coming to
call, / presume. Sociable lot What
can't make out Is why they seem to
think 1t necessary to tow our dory
back. Uneasy conscience, maybe
what7"
He lowered the binoculars and
glanced inquiringly at his employer,
who grunted his disgust, and said no
more.
Don't take It 90 hard, old top" Bar
Gus advised with q change Of note
from irony to sympathy. Then he rose
and dived down the companionway,
presently to reappear with a mega
phone and double-barreled shotgun
No cutting-out parties In this out
fit." he explained, grinning amiably.
None Of that old stun, revised to suit
your infatuated female friend-once
aboard the lugger and the man L.
mine!"
Stationing himself at the seaward
rail, where his figure would show In
sharp silhouette against the glowing
sunset sky. he brandished the shot
gun at arms length above his head,
and beloved stertorously through the
megaphone:
Keep on! Keep OF! This means
you'll Come within gunshot and III
blow your fool heads ofY!"
| Putting aside the megaphone, he sat
down again. Not that I'd dare fire
this blunderbuss," he connded, with
this reek OF gasoline; but Just for
moral effect. Phew-w! I'd give dol
lar for q breath of clean air; I've In
hailed SO much gas in the last few
hours I'm dry-cleaned down to my
silly old toes!'
For thirty minutes nothing hap
pened, other than that the sound OF
the fisherman's launch was stflled 1t
rested moveless In the waters, two
figures mysteriousIy busy In the cock
pit, the Seayenture's dory trailing be-
hind 1t on a long painter.
Gradually these details became
blurred. and were blotted out by the
closing shadows. The afterglow in
the west grew cool and faint. The
crimson waters darkened, to mauve,
to violet, to a translucent green, to
blackness. Far up the coast two
white eyes, peering over the horizon,
stared steadfastly through the dark
Chatham lights" Barcus said they
were.
Abruptly he dropped the glasses and
jumped up. Hear that!" he cried.
Now the humming of the motor was
again audible and growing louder with
every instant; and Alan. getting to his
feet In turn, infected with the excite
ment Of Barcus. could Just make out
at some distance a dark shadow be-
meath the dim, spluttering glimmer of
light, that moved swiftly and steadily
toward the Seaventure.
What the devil!" he demanded,
puzzled.
You uttered a mouthful when you
said 'deviPi" Barcus commented.
grasping his arm and hurrying him to
the landward side of the vessel
"Quick-kick OF your shoes-get set
for a miIe-long swim! Devils work.
all right" he painted. hastily divest.
ing himself Of shoes and outer gar.
ments. II couldn't made out what
fhav ware mn m fiII 7 aaw tham lash
: the wheel. light the fuse. start the
motor, and take to the dory. They've
made on grand little torpedo boat out
of that tender"
He sprang upon the rail, steadyins
himself with a stay. -Ready?" he
asked. Look sharp!"
BY way of answer, Alan joined him
the two had Owed as one, entering the
water with a single splash, and com