Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1918-02-22

"Blow mel" he calculated in star
tied voice. 1.-THE fellows not herel
he's got away!"
Red laughed, and pushed past, but
still blocked the door with his grea,
body.
SCOT away! Where could he have
got to with the door locked? Hei
sre all right"
| Stood up and faced the two, the
desk still between us, but took the
precaution to grip the stool by one
leg.
II am certainly present" said cold.
~, ''if your reference is to me; but
advise you both to keep your dis.
lance. I'll brain the first man who
attempts to lay hand on me-"
Red must have felt the challenge OF
my words, and [ could tell he was in
liquor by the vivid fame of his face
An oath broke from his lips.
'You tried that before; twill pay
yer to be civil now.''
"There were some of your ragamuf.
fins who tasted the weight of my
blow" I answered, land I only hope
it may be your turn next, you dirty
dog of mutineer."
You'll git no chance to ever break
your stool on me, d-yer," he roared,
jerking a revolver from his jacket
do you see that? Well, we've got
the ship"
Mccain grasped his sleeve.
'Let up on that, Red" he said short
ly, his voice having a tone of com.
mand in it, which surprised me. eve
didn't come here to beat Hollis up,
but to talk with him. This is my
game"
The other did not resist, only to
mutter behind his teeth. The gun still
gliStened in his hand, but I felt no
fear of the fellow, and returned the
stool TO the deck.
"Tell me what you mean, and be
brief about it,"
McCann's eyes met mine, and I read
In them uncertainty. He was not yet
quite sure that he had my measure !;
how far 1 would resist, or what form
my opposition would take. Perhaps
for a moment money did not seem to
him quite so important a weapon as
he had found 1t elsewhere.
"Pm sorry the crew beat you up
the way they did," ne began apologet-
lcally. 'They are a rather rough
set"
Don't waste your time over that"
| interrupted in disgust. II can deal
with an Out-and-out fighter, and still
respect him, but your kind only en-
genders disgust. There is no love
lost between US, Fergus Mccain, so
state your purpose plainly, and with
put lying"
by God! I WILL" he snapped, land
I'll put it straight enough this time
to satisfy you. The only reason I
don't let Liverpool kill you is that you
are more valuable to me alive. I've
hated some in my time, but there never
was cur I despised worse than I do
you"
Thanks" said quietly, ST am hon.
Ored."
"And more than that, I pay my
debts" his temper now entirely ruined
by my pretense of Indifference. $50
advise you to keep civil tongue in
your hPad-you're no longer in COM
mand of this ship"
I smiled at the two of them, calmly
sitting down on the stool. / was not
certain yet what hand I held, but
determined to play the cards coolly.
$50 you fellows are in control; and
you come to me now with some sort
Of proposition. All right; what is it?"
1--WE need a navigator for a few
days; one who will lay out the course
we decide on"
"And I am the only one on board"
You are by far the most compe.
tent" he confessed. But you need
not think from that we are helpless
without you. / have no doubt I could
figure the matter out fairly well if
had to, and l am perfectly aware that
Miss Darlington possesses some knowl-
edge of navigation. / imagine you
might prefer doing this yourself, rather
than having her compelled to show her
efficiency"
where is Miss Carrington?"
''InSher own stateroom; have not
seen her since we took possession OF
The ship"
"And the others-Bascom, and the
Dfficers?"
They're all right" broke in Liver.
pool, except for some sore heads. We
dOwned the owner and the second mate
easy, but Leayord and the engineer
made some trouble, and had to be
soaked. We got 'em all quiet enough
now, where they can't make any
trouble"
where are they confined?"
He winked at me in half-drunken
eer.
(which is none o. yer business
hey, Mr.. McCann?'
The impudent manner of the fel.
low served to fully awaken me to q
realization of the helpless position
DccuDied / held back the first hot