The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1916-07-06
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CHAPTER XVI
Battle on the Beach

IAO 4CCA ~ SoAAC Ia M ~A~ ~
came swiftly. AS soon as the sQuall
had passed, Hemenway and his com
panions hurried to the lagoon to as
certain how the yacht had ridden the
storm. -~.+"~~~.
Happily, they found the protection
had been sufficient, and the Wanna
rode at anchor as though a storm had
not been within a thousand miles of
her.
The three villainous looking men
followed the other five to the lagoon.
After sizing up the situation Tyler
started the trouble.
"Now then, you young fellows get
your stuff aboard and we'll start right
away" he growled.
"What's that?" exclaimed Hemen-
way, flaring up. The tall man turned
m him.
"You heard what I said. Shake a
leg, now" he roared with his wild
eyes blazing. Hemenway bristled up
like a bantam rooster.
mot so fast; not so fast, capt'n
Ive got just a little to say about this.
We leave this place when we are good
and ready. Understand that?"
Tyler flew into a furious passion,
raving and ranting and cursing a full
two minutes.
"You've got a lovely disposition"
remarked Hemenway when the tall
mans streak of profanity had run it's
course.
Keep your mouth shut, you shrimp
or I'll knock your teeth down YOU
throat" cried Tyler. "Im going
aboard that schooner. Bill, get that
boat in the water, you and HAWKINS
The eight men were on the narrow
strip of beach that bordered on the
lagoon. There was hardly room to turn
around. Bill and Hawkins moved to-
ward the dingey.
Keep your hands off that boat!'
'%thundered George Carteret.
"Stand back, you white livered
slob!" yelled Tyler, still foaming with
passion He made a movement toward
the big collegian.
The twins dashed past Tyler like
end-rushers covering a punt, and were
on top of his two companions in a
twinkling.
"Out with your knives, men! Cut
their hearts QUIT" roared Tyler, reach
ing for his sheath knife.
"Tha1's your game is it?" snapped
Mcdonald, poking a gun in the tail
mans belt.
Leave him to me; leave him to me;
let him have his knife!' screamed
Hemenway, pushing Mcdonald aside,
Then, with incredible swiftness, he
stopped and gathered two handfuls OF
fine, dry beach sand and as he arose
he dashed the sand directly in the
eyes of the tall man.
With a roar of pain Tyler shot his
hands upward, and as he did SO Hem.
>enway kicked him full in the stomach.
The man fell writhing to the ground.
Without an i~nstant's hesitation, Hem.
eenway kicked him again in the same
place with all the force he could put
in his boot.
Then he jumped and came down
Will luc lul lOICE VI lis hllccS I'll
Tyler's body and began tearing at his
throat. He bore down with all his
strength on Tyler's windpipe, %snarling
like a wild animal.
For Gods sake, Archie, don't kill
him." cried Mcdonald. He came
from behind and grasping Hemenway
under the arms, pulled him off the
inert form of Tyler. Hemenway strug.
gled to free himself, but Mcdonald
held tight.
Finally Hemenway became calm.
He even grinned when he caught sight
of the twins. George was sitting on
the sand playing mumblety-peg with
Hawkins sheath knife, while Jim was
rolling a cigarette.
OF the enemy Hawkins was flat on
his back in the dingey, his legs hang
ing over the gunwale. He was knocked
out and hadn't come to. Bill the big
brute, was standing waist deep in the
water, with Lent standing guard over
him, revolver in hand.
"Wot no, shipmates!n cried Hem
enway, his good humor returning at
sight of his friends. "Watchmen, wot
of the night"
1--WE beat 'em to it," replied Jim.
"They didn't last a round. Before
they could get their knives George
landed a haymaker on my friend
Hawkins, and the old scout took the
count. He's taking it yet. 1 happen
ed to catch Bill off his balance and
staggered him with a punch.
Ills legs became tangled and he
Topped in the water. Before he could
scramble to his feet Joe had him Gov
cred with q gun. That's all. Bill, toss
your knife ashore, like a good fellow
dennis. I didn't know you and Joe
carried guns al the time" said Hem
nnWAv.