Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1919-09-11
cHAPTER %.


Mo0s exp0&fuinte0 tno Scotch
trader. but you're fair dafti You're
but cut Of the Jaws Of death, and I'd
no say you're nh the way out at that.
Bide . BIT. there'll DO anither I'm q
monitor ID two. anyhow"
Walien. standing In the center OF
the little gaivanized-iron-roofed store.
house, his eyes on the native who had
entered q moment before. shook his
head.
I've got 30 get away. MacKnight.r
he said earnestly. There's no use
talking about q. What kind Of shir
does he say u Isl"
MaeKnight dung out q question IN
the native tongue.
sHe says IL u q big smoke boat, .
translated the trader, (which win be
by way Of saying it's some measly
steam coaster that's 30 small It's nc
able % accommodate its own cock.
reaches. dye mindi Mon. pay NO at.
tention to Il. What's anifher month
Or so-and you'Il be strong then. and
al. mon, but I hate TO have ye gors
Wallen. gaunt and thin from hls
Illness. shook his head decisiveiy
again. though the others words had
brought quick responsive smile 70
his lips.
SIX weeks ago proa from the VII.
iage here had picked him up at sea
and brought him, az Il were. to this
big-hearfed mans door. He owed his
life to MacKnsght.
'It's no use. MacKnighf." he an
swered. sTve got to go.c
-Tt'il be that black devil I'm Singn-
porei" calculated the trader. screw.
Ing up his wizened face and pulling
vici0usly nc his beard. "You'l no play
the fool, Wallen. It's not &c you are
to so. Listen to me. mon: It's q mat
ter o. twenty miles across the island,
AZ ye know well, and no conveyance,
20 mind. And It's no regular trader
that's called. for none is due-she'il
have put IN for water or the like, and
win be sailing again at daybreak."
Il can make Il by daybreak, Mac
knight" Wallen stated quietly.
For q moment MaeKnight stared af
Wallen. then his hands dropped from
Wallen's shoulders.
wei, 60. and be damned to you.
theni' he said grufiy. deep down In
his threat 60 hide his ernotion-and
turning. stepped abruptly outside.
There were not many preparations
20 make-very few.
WaIlen's worldly possessions were
bis only through the generosity Of the
trader. But MaeKnighf cid not stop
at that now. for. i've minutes later,
40 Wallen started for the nights
tramp ACROSS the island, q Malay
guide. well loaded with supplies, start
ed with him. while MacKnight cursed
with earnest profanity no they WIRING
each others hand.
At the edge o. the clearing Wallen
looked back. On the great bearded
inquire that leaned against the door
frame Of the solitary trading station
Wallen's eyes fingered.
The man waved HIS hand ana
shouted:
'Mon. zen No forget AlacKnizht o.
Arrnt Yen no forget MacKnight,
non r.
And then suddenly q mist dimmed
WalIen's eyes. &c tried TO shout
,ack-and could only wave his own
hand I'm return. And. then the frees
hid the trader from view.
Forget MacKnlghti The man who
had nursed him back to life m a
mother would nurse her childi For
get that solitary human OUTPOST of
civilizations man with an iron fist.
2. barbed-wire tongue and a heart rs
tender as a woman'si No: he would.
not forget MacKnighti
He forced a smile to his lips. One
made strange friendships In these far
parts Of the world. and made them
under strange circumstances. The
chances were q thousand 70 one that
he and MacKnight would never meet
again-but. for all that, Il wac a
friendship that would last.
Twenty miles across the island he
Wallen fell to wondering what sort
OF q ship and. more pertinent stiIi.
what sort OF q skipper was ON the ship
that had put into Pobi. He had re-
fused MacKnight's offer Of an advance
Of money. and he hadn't a penny-but
he was satisfied that he would not be
refused passage I'm any case He could
work his way.
A white man who knew his business
was worth his weight I'm gold On ship
any time In these parts. II was txss
ne wasn't any too at Jet: but hs was
nt enough fqr that. &C enough--a duIl
liush came Into his face. and his syes
hardened-at enough TO gef 60 sinxa-
pore somehow
He had not forgotten thai ghastiy
Afternoon IN the reek of TIE PEA shin.
Dor the Ohiaaman VINO nad die{l An har
arms whispering o. Drink-Houss sam
q singaporel Forgeti Ia had thourhs
g nothing else al theas weeka raVad
y 70 IN his delirfnm, % MacKnixhf
nd told him.
There was enc thing dominant m |
10 me now-Drink-HouBs Sam ~
sinsapores tAs man who had tried ma /
'sysesraoazly r. taks his me-. TO sab
Z him tzsaehsrously. without warnlnr |
nc q tAe Aark.
singAporei slngnporel N nm.
go CUT or his mind nov. 10 ret /
mere. % force sha truth. ths motive.
- reason. tAs STORY behind an tina
.ozn ne human spider that Iurked in |
- weo. and then-his flsts clenehed
.sEceay-snd then settle with TIE u,anl
- mat was why IN must noe An
~ esfers dayhessk. hsfors 80 ]