The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1916-04-21
CHAPTER XIII.

mere was deal or curstng ana
groaning as the men at the bottom OF
the ladder crawled to their feet.
Somebody strike a light. my
thumbs out Of joint" said one OF the
men, Parsons, a swarthy, saturnine
man. boat steerer In Standlsh's boat, in
which Harrison was puller.
You'll find 1t knockin' about by the
bits" Leach said. sitting down on the
edge of the bunk in which was con.
cealed.
There was fumbling and q scratch
ing of matches, and the sea-Iamp
fiared up, dim and smoky, and In its
weird light bare-legged men moved
about, nursing their bruises and caring
for their hurts.
! How did he get away?" Johnson
asked.
He was sitting on the side OF his
bunk. the whole pose OF his figure In
dicating utter detection and hopeless
ness. He was still breathing heavily
from the exertion he had made. His
shirt had been ripped entirely from
him in the struggle. and blood from
. cash In the cheek was flowing down
his naked chest. marking red path
across his white thigh and dripping to
the floor.
because he is'a devil. as told you
before" was Leach's answer; and
thereat he was on his feet and raging
his disappointment with tears In his
eyes.
All the while l had been apprehen-
sive concerning my own predicament.
What would happen to me when these
men discovered my presence? l could
never fight my way out as Wolf Lar
sen had done. And at this moment
Latimer called down the scuttles:
'Humpl The old man wants you'll"
called back.
yes he is." said. sliding out OF the
bunk and striving my hardest to keep
my voice steady and bold.
The sailors looked at me In conster-
HE amt down here!" Parsons
nation. Fear was strong In their
faces, and the devillshness which
comes OF fear.
I'm comingl" ! shouted up to Lati-
mer.
NO you donti" Kelly cried. step
ping between me and the ladder. his
right hand shaped into a veritable
strangers clutch. You damn little
sneaki III shut yer mouth"
"Let him go" Leach commanded.
mot on yer life." was the angry
retort.
Leach never changed his position
on the edge Of the bunk. Let him
so. say" he repeated; but this time
his voice was gritty and metallic.
The Irishman wavered. ] made to
step by him. and he stood aside. When
I had gained the ladder. turned to
the circle of brutal and malignant faces
peering at me through the semidark.
ness. A sudden and deep sympathy
welled up in me.
Il have seen and heard nothing. be-
lieve me" said quietly.
Il tell yer. he's all right" I could
hear Leach saying as went up the
ladder. He don't like the old man
no more nor you or me-"
I found Wolf Larsen in the cabin.
stripped and bloody. waiting for me.
he greeted me with one Of his whim-
steal smiles.
Come. get TO work. doctor. The
signs are favorable for an extensive
practice this voyage. I don't know
what the Ghost would have been with
out you. and II could only cherish
such noble sentiments would tell you
her master is deeply grateful"
knew the run Of the simple medi.
cine chest the Ghost carried. and while
was heating water on the cabin stove
aud getting the things ready for dress
ing bis wounds. be moved about, laugh
ing and chatting. and examining his
hurts with q calculating eye. ] had
never before seen him stripped. and
the sight Of bis body quite took my
breath away. II has never been my
weakness to exalt the iesh-far from
n: but there Is enough OF the artist In
ma 70 appreciate In worder.