Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1917-01-03

water when his attention was attract
ed by a cleaning spot In heap of oys-
ter SHELLS at the waters edge. They
were dead shells bored by the stariish,
the great enemy of oysters. The water
here was twelve feet deep. the land
sloplng up above n little natural cave.
Overcome by excitement at his find,
which shone as brightly ms the moon
above, Sam Jack completely forgotten,
Nnbob brought his boat In to land and
stepped cautiously ashore. Then he
drew In Il deep breath, went under,
Keeping his eyes fixed on the pearl,
and stretched forth his hand to pluck
the prize.
Instantly his fingers We're impris-
oned IN wise. Nnbob knew what had
happened. 1t was the giant mussel,
that inocucus shellhsh so dreaded by
the Bahama negro. lie WAS trapped
under water.
OF n man who has just one minute to
live before his lungs give out. That
minutes anguish was the worst that
Nabob had ever lived through
The mussel, firmly anchored In its
oozy bed, bit into his fingers and
seemed immovable. But Nabob had the
strength of all his race. His muscles
stood out like cords Of steel aud his
great chest hcaved as he pulled.
And gradually the musseI began to
come from It's bed. Now Nabob could
see the cleaning lure still fastened be-
tween his fingers. lie pulled superhu-
manly. And The mussel was giving
way. II was question which would
give first, the mussel or NabObs
lungs.
A gasp, terrible heave and Naboh's
head appeared aboves the water. He
let the poisoned uir out of his lungs
and drew In fresh breath Then.
clinging to Il mangrove on the bank
with his free hand. he continued Ia
fight. II was doubtful even now which
would give first-the mussel, Nabobs
strength or the mangrovo.
The mussel ana the mangrove- gave
together. II came up out of it's oozy
pit just ns the tree broke, precipitat-
ing Nabch upon his back in the wnter.
But Nabob soon struggled To his feet
ana made for the lunG again. The
weight Gf the muSsel. heavy though IL
was, did not impede him, but his hand
was raw and bleeding and the great
shells were tightly clenched upon It.
Still, freedom was great. and Nabob.
lying upon his back on the mud, among
the mangroves, offered up the hearth
est thanks that he knew how.
This done. he looked at the mussel.
And now, to his utter amazement.
1t took the form of trap of steel. II
was trap of steel. Aud the lure was
nothing more or less than hn American
quarter, cunningly fixed in the edges
of the steel wise.
"oh, Lord :" groaned Nabob, who's
set this here thing for mef'
A ringing laugh from among the
bushes answered him. and out of them,
from behind the hut, there stepped Sam
Jack. as large as life, his mouth
stretched as wide as only Bahaman
negro's mouth can stretch.
You're smart, Nabob." he grinned.
but ! guess ! was too smart for you.
Whatll | do with you now got your
"Lemme go!" yelled Nabob.
Sam Jack STOPPED over Nabob,
hourishing the KNIFE which Nabob had
plunged into the drmmy clothes. Then
he remembered their cid partnership
and relented. He pressed the spring
and the trap few open, leaving Ma
bob's crushed hand free.
Forgive me, Sam Jack :" whimpered
Nabob.
'Thnt's all right, niger" answered
Sam jack. "Say, that boat of yours
don't amount to much. Come and be
my pardner again"
Nabob stretched out his crushed
hand and gripped Sam Jacks.