The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-08-06
jaw and went on sweeping.

jaw and went on sweeping.
But the lure Of the pearl was toe
much for Louie Solomon. The pearl
fishers had filled him full Of it the
night before. He had to it at last: and
he had to come square. Taking off his
hat, he looked back over his shoulder
and again drew his sleeve across his
brow.
I'm hearin' you picked up a blue
4 one"
The Pearlhunter leaned his broom
against the table and came out upon
the doorstep. 1t was characteristic
question.
who was telling your"
| ooh, dey talk. You sell him?'
IF get my price, ii
The buyer put his hat back on and
returned to the step. The very pitch
and pith of the matter was up.
How much you want it?"
Five thousand"
The little Jew almost fell over. His
fat hands punched the air full of ex-
clamation points.
Five t'ousan'i Himmei! You pearl
fishers ISIS all alike-a1l crazy"
That's my price"
He stepped back inside the door and
reached for his broom. The other
hoped across the door sill and caught
him arm.
,HimmeI, Let 1t go dot brooml I
look at your pearl. You should jump
In de boat, undt we lok him over at
de bank. But know he turn out like
de rest-wort' mebbe five hundred;
mebbe no. You pearl fishers iss all
crazy. Himmel!"
The Pearlhunter followed in silence.
He did not ask how the other knew the
Blue Moon was in the bank, knowing
what river men were when drink had
loosened their tongues. After days and
weeks at the clam rakes and the
mucky watts, with little more than an
occasional grunt between them. three
fingers of squirrel" whisky would set
their tongues bobbing like cork in a
such hole.
sThere were three recognized grades
of whisky along the Wabash-good
whisky, bad whisky and squirrel
When a man got so far along that ne
couldn't tell the difference. the Mud
Hen served Squirrel" That's what
had doubtless loosened the tongues or
the river men. That's what had put
the .Ach Himmel!" head on the little
Jew and placed him at disadvantage
that morning. The Pearlhunter knew
IL the moment he saw him gulp down
the first gourdful Of water.
Louie Solomon carried three rowers
in his long skiff. an hardy river men
that had been with him for years.
Each man wore heavy six-shooter IN
Main sight at his belt Some said that
he employed them as much Tor tneir
ab;,itv with the revolver as for their
SIN at the oars. Solomon himself was
not a fighter, and never went armed, |
hut the case in which he carried his
naarIs was never out of sight OF at
last two of the three rowers. Nor
-vera the three ever allowed TO drink |
wben out on a trip. Whatever Solo
mon himself might do. his henchmen /
were required to stay sober.
Tbey were not a laxative bunch, /
these three. A nod and a grunt was
on the PearIhunter received as he took
his place in the bow. For that matter
he was no more laxative himself. Big
;ss,,es Law ahead. A man doesn't sell
a blue Moon every day.
louie solomon sat in the stern and
his head Squirrel whisky
leaves a mans head like that, and MS
tongue like a dry mole skin The man
{, the bow was just a tiny grain glad
Of that head. OF course, it was not
very sportsrnanlike to feel that way
about it; not so very unsportsnan-
ike. either, when one knew Louie Sol
ONION.
CONTINUED tomorrow.)