Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-06-05
CHAPTER y.
The Cut Direct.

down to his room. With the dull OBJ
stinacy of a drunken man, he refused
to stir; he was perfectly satisfied to
stay where he was. The three brown
men stood irresolutely and helplessly
around the man. Every one had gone
below. The hose was ready to flush
the deck. 1t did not matter; he, Craig,
would not bulge.
Leave me alone, you black beg
gars!"
But, Sahib." began one of the Las
cars who spoke English.
Don't talk to me. l tell you, get
out" striking at their feet with his
swollen hands.
Warrington. who had not lain down
at all. but who had wandered about the
free decks like some lost soul from The
FLYING Dutchman, Warrington, hearing
voices, came out Of the smoke-room. A
glance was sufficient. A DEVILS humor
took possession of him. He walked
over.
Get up" he said quietly.
Craig blinked up at him from out of
puffed eyes. Go to the devil! Fine
specimen to order me about"
will you get up peacefully? These
men have work to do"
Craig was blind to his danger.
What's that to me? Go away, all OF
YOU, to the devil, for all care. I'll get
up when l get damn good and ready
Not before
Warrington picked up the hose.
"Sahib!" cried the Lascar in pro-
test.
BE still" ordered Warrington.
Craig. for the last time, will you get
up?"
No"
Warrington turned the key, and
deluge of cold salt water struck Craig
full in the chest. He tried to sit up,
but was knocked fiat. Then he rolled
over on the deck. choking and sputter-
ing. He crawled on his hands and
knees until he reached the chair rail,
which he clutched desperately, drawing
himself up. The pitiless stream never
swerved. 1t smacked against the fiat
of his back like the impact of a hand.
For Gods sake stop it," cried Craig,
half strangled.
will you go below?"
Yes, yes! Turn it away" sober
enough by now.
Warrington switched off the key, his
face humOrless, though there was
sparkle of grim humor in his sleep
hungry eyes. Craig leaned against the
deck house. shaking and painting.
81 would 1 could get at your soul
as easily" Warrington threw aside
the hose, and the Lascars sprang up
on it, not knowing what the big. blond
Sahib might do next.
Craig turned, venom on his tongue.
He spoke a phrase. In an instant,
cold with fury, Warrington had him
by the throat.
You low base curl" he said, shak-
ing the man until he resembled
manikin on wires. Had you been
sober last night, I'd have thrown you
into the sea- HOnOrless dog! You
wrote to Miss Chetwood. You insult
ed her, too. If you wish to die, speak
to her again"
Craig struggled fiercely to free him.
self He wasn't sure, by the look OF
the other mans eyes. that he wasn't
going to be killed then and there.
There was something cave-mannish
and cruel in the way Warrington wor-
ried the man, shaking him from side
to side and forcing him along the
deck. Suddenly he released his hold,
adding buffet on the side of the head
that sent Craig ree,lng and sobbing
into the companionway
Here, | say what's the row.
Warrington looked over his shoul-
der. The call had come from the first
officer.
"A case of drunkenness, cOolly.
But, l say, we can't have brawling
If the mans conduct was out of or
der, you should have brought your
complaint before the captain or me.
We really can't have any rowing, sir.
w Ills soll lNpilth SlsNNNlN 80
pediency was quite necessary"
Whats this" the officer espied the
soaked bedding "Whu turned the
hose here"
Il did" answered Warrington.
Il shall have to report that to the
captain, sir. Its against the rules
aboard this steamship for passengers
to touch anything of that sort" The
officer turned and began violently to
abuse the bewildered LaScarS.
Il shouldn't bullyrag them. sir,
interposed Warrington. "They pro-
tested | helped myself. After all,
perhaps il was none of my affair; but
the poor devils didn't know what to
do"
The officer ordered the Lascars to
take the mattress and throw it on the
boat-deck, where it would dry quick
~ when the sun rose. Already the
world was pale with light. and Il
slash of crimson lay low on the rim of
the east.
Il shouldn't like to be disagreeable.
sir" said the officer. Il dare say the
man made himself obnoxious; but I'm
obliged To report anything of this or
der"
Don't be alarmed on my account.
My name is Warrington, cabin IS.
Good morning"
Warrington entered the companion
way: and Il moment later he heard
the water hiss along the deck. He
was not in the least sorry for what he
had done: still. he regretted the act
Craig was Il beast. and there was no
knowing what he might do or say. But
the hose had been simply irresistible.
He chuckled audibly on the way down
To his cabin. There was one thing Of
which he was assured; Craig would
keep out of his way i'm the future. The
cXhilaratiOn of the struggle suddenly
left him. and he realized that he was
dreadfully tired and hcartachy. Still
dressed, he flung himself i'm his bunk.
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