The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1916-05-19
CHAPTER xlx-contInued.

Mugridge had heard the Kanakas
warning cry and was screaming mad.
ly. ] could see black fin cutting
the water and making for him with
greater swiftness than he was being
pulled aboard. II was an even toss
whether the shark or we would get
him, and 1t was a matter Of moments.
When Mugridge was directly beneath
us. the stern descended the slope of a
passing wave, thus giving the advan.
tage to the shark. Wolf Larsen threw
his strength into one tremendous jerk.
The cockneys body left the water;
80 did part of the sharks. He drew
up his legs, and the man-eater seemed
no more than barely to touch one foot,
sinking back into the water with q
splash. But at the moment of con-
tact Thomas Mugridge cried out.
Then he came in like fresh-caught
fish on a line, clearing the rail gen.
erOusly and striking the deck in q
heap, on hands and knees, and rolling
over.
But fountain of blood was gush-
ing forth. The right foot was miss
ing, amputated neatly at the ankle.
i looked instantly to Maud Brewster.
Her face was white, her eyes dilated
with horror. She was gazing. not at
Thomas Mugridge. but at Wolf Larsen.
And he was aware OF 1t, for he said.
with one Of his short laughs:
"Man-play, Miss Brewster. Some
what rougher. ! warrant. than what
you have been used to, but still-man.
play. The shark was not In the reck-
oning. It."
But at this juncture. Mugridge. who
had lifted his head and ascertained
the extent of his loss, fioundered over
on the deck and buried his teeth in
Wolf Larsen's leg. Wolf Larsen.
stopped. coolly, to the cockney, and
pressed with thumb and finger at the
rear of the jaws and below the ears.
The jaws opened with reluctance. and
Wolf Larsen stepped free.
"As | was saying" he went on, as
though nothing unwonted had hap
pened. the shark was not in the
reckoning. 1t was-ahem-shall we
say Providence?"
We walked to the break of the poop,
where she turned and faced me.
glanced around to see that no one was
within hearing distance.
What is it," asked gently; but
the expression of determination on her
face did not relax.
Il can readily understand" she be-
gan, that this mornings affair was
largely an accident: but have been
talking with Mr.. Haskins. He tells
rae that the day we were rescued. even
while l was in the cabin, two men
were drowned. deliberately drowned
murdered"
There was query in her voice. and
she faced me accusingly. as though
were guilty OF the deed. or at least
party to II.
The Information is quite correct"
answered. "The two men were muir.
dered."
And you permitted IT," she cried.
II was unable to prevent It. is a
better way OF phrasing It," ! replied.
still gently.
but you tried TO prevent IT." There
was an emphasis on the tried" and
q pleading little note In her voice.
"oh. but you didn't" she hurried
on. divining my answer but why
didn't your"
| shrugged my shoulders. You
must remember. Miss Brewster, that
you are a new inhabitant OF this little
world. and that you do not yet under
stand the laws which operate within
1t. You bring with you certain fine
conceptions Of humanity. manhood.
conduct. and such things: but here
you find them misconceptions. have
found II so.' ! added. with an invol-
untary sigh.
She shook her head incredulously.
What would you advise. then?"
asked. THAT | should take knife, OF
q gun or an az. and kill this man?"
She half started back.
NO. not that"
Then what should | do, Kill my
self"
You speak in purely materialissic