The daily Alaskan., 1919-05-24

against brute force, every #festiers trick knew flashing into my brain. Breathlessly, my flesh scraped and bruised, .I wrlggled partly free, and ripped him, his great body striking the deck with a thud. I <eil with him, dragged down by hls desperate grip, but WAS first upon my feet, saluted by a roar of delight from the lips ot those crowding about us. As he staggered up also, struck him. again, blow which would have ended the game. had not my foot slipped on the reeling deck. As it, was it drove him to hls knees, groggy, and with one eye half closed, yet with strength enough left to regain his feet as soon as l. This time he charged me like a wild bull, froth whitening his lips, scarcely ap- bearing human In the yellow light. In mad rage he forgot all caution, his one thought to reach me with his hands, and throttle me into lifeless pulp. I fought him back, driving blow on blow through his guard, side-step- ping his mad rushes, landing again and again on his body. Twice l got In over his heart, and at last, found the chance I sought, and sent right lab straight to the chin. All the force of one hundred and eighty pounds was behind the clenched fist, and the negro went down as though ioored by a uoleax. Once weakly he endeaVored to rise, but this time l used my left, and he never stirred again, lying there with no sign of life except the oIiverlng of the huge body. Assured that he was down and out, l stood above him, gazing into the ring Of ex- cited faces. -a
 "ThaPs one attended to-" l said shortly. "Now is there any more of you who would like to fight this out?'
 There was no answer although the ring widened under the threat of my eyes, and met sullen faces here and there. I was h no mood to take chances. D .a
 Garrison" l said, "you know all these men. Pick out those you can trust, and have them stand over there to the right. Call them out by name; be lively now"
 They stepped forth eagerly enough, and ranged themselves before. the hunks, the faces mostly those of north ern Europe, although a negro or two was among them. AS the SWeoe ceased calling, six or seven yet re mained clustered In front of me, motley lot, one of them an Indian, the others mostly half-breeds. glanced from face to face inquiringly.
 How about It, you?" I asked. Are there any more of you fellows who take a chance with us? This Is my last offer"
 "What's the gamer" asked sullen voice in English, and bearded fellow, burned black, pushed his way to the front. "I used ter be Scotch; now l don't know what I am. One flag IS as good as another ter me-only l want to know what sorter game I'm playin' in. Who are yer? An whar'd yer cum frumT
 q am an English seaman" an- swered shortly, "and how l came aboard makes no difference. Right now am the only navigator on the Namur. Estada is .dead-knifed last night by one of the buccaneers. Man. uel Esteyan had a hand in the buSi- ness, and he's safely locked in state room aft. Captain Sanchez is wound ed and helpless, and those cut-throats amidships are battened down below matches. LeVere and I are the officers left, and we control the deck"
 rYer mean those fellerS were aimin' ter take the ship2" .-... ...-
 Exactly that; now where are you lads? With Manuel and his bunch of pirates? Or with us?" ..
 "What CT yer going ter do with us, an this shlp7 That's the fu'st qdes- tlon."
 had not decided that even in my own mind, but the answer came promptly enough.