The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1921-12-02

hind him. He thrust the brass nozzle
into the shaft-alley entrance and In
vited Scraggs to surrender uncondi- |
tionally or be drowned like q kitten.
Scraggs. knowing his own fire hose,
defied them. so Dan Hicks started the
pump while Flaherty turned on the
water. Instantly the hose burst up on
deck and Scraggs' jeers OF triumph
filled the engine room. The enemy
was about to draw lots to see which
one OF the two should crawl into the
shaft alley and throw a cupful Of
chloride Of lime (for they found can
OF this In the engine room) In Captain
Scraggs' face. when a shadow dark
ened the hatch and Mr.. Bartholomew
McGuffey demanded belligerently:
WHATS goin' on down theref Who
the DEVILS takin' liberties In my en-
CINE roomr
Dan Hicks explained the situation
and the Just cause for drastic action
which they held against the fugitive
In the shaft alley. Mr.. McGuffey con-
sidered a few moments and made his
decision.
IF what you say Is true-an' I aIn't
In position to dispute you, not havin'
been present when you hauled the
Maggie of the beach, don't blame
you for feeling sore. What do blame
you for. though. Is carryin' the war
aboard the Maggie. II you wanted to
whale Glib an Scraggsy you should ha'
laid for 'em on the dock. Under the
circumstances, you make this a per-
snail affair. an as a member O the
crew O the Maggie I got to take a
hand an defend my skipper agin youse
two. Fact is, gentlemen, l got a date
to lick him first for what he done to
me last night. Howsumever, that's a
private crouch. The fact remains that
you two jumped my pal Bert Gibney
an licked him somethin' scandalous.
Hicks. I'll take you on first. Come up
out Of there. you swab. and fight. Fla
herty. you stay below until I send for
you; II you try to climb up an horn In
on my fight with Hicks, Gibney'u brain
you"
A faint cheer came from the shaft
alley. Good old Mac. At-a-boyl"
"You're on. McGuffey. Nobody ever
had to beg me to fight him." Dan
Hicks replied cordially. and climbed
to the deck. To his great surprise
Mr.. McGuffey winked at himsand drew
him of to the stern Of the Maggie.
"Theren be no tight" he declared
although we'll thud around on dech
an yell a couple O. times to make
Scraggs think we're goin' to II. He
fggers that by the time I've Tough,
you an Flaherty won't be fit fol
combat with him. even II lick yor
hssh; he's got It all Hggered out tina
TIL wait a couple O. days before
tacklin' him, an he thinks my TEN
peril cool by that time an he cal
argy me out O. my revenge. Saveyr
II twig."
Mr.. Gibney had returned to tn,
Maggie by this time and he now tool
|. his station at the engine-room hatcl
and growled at Flaherty and abuses
, him. keep up your courags
. X-raggsy," he called as Hicks and Nc
, Guffey pranced around the deck 4
| simulated combat. ''Aiac's whalin' tn
, whey out o. Hicks an Hicks couldn'
, touch him with a buggy whip"
At the conclusion of the three mir
{ utes Of horse-play. Mr.. McGuffey cam
to the hatch again. up with 70,
Flaherty," he called loud enough fo
, Captain Scrsggs to hear ''up with 70
4 before so down after YOU"
). Flaherty was about to possess hin
a self Of a harchet when the face Of b
J. confrere. Dan Hicks, appeared ovt
e McGufYey's shoulder and CRIME
n knowingly at him. Immediately, FIJI
0 herty hurled defiance at his enemis
3 and came up on deck. and once mol
n to Captain Scraggs came the du
i sounds Of apparent conflict overhead
! Suddenly cheer broke from M
0 Gibney. "All Off an gone to Ccope
/. town. Scraggsy," he shouted. ICON
n up an take look at the fallen
d Out Of the shaft alley came Scragl
= with a rush, tossing his wrench a-it
= the better TO climb the ladder. He WI
e half way up when Mr.. Gibney reacht
down great hand, grasped him
d the collar. and whisked him out I
q deck with single jerk. Here, to b
e horror. he found himself confront,
= by sihgulariy scathless trio wi
e grinned triurnphantly at him.
d "Seein' Is helievin', Scraggs," D.
e. Hicks informed him. That's q less
y you taught me an tiaherty last nigs
Of hut evidently you don't profit by g
n perience. You're too miserable
e. beat up, but just to show you II all
&c POSSIBLE for dirty hay Pirate Ii
III YOU to skin the likes o. me an F.
Or herty we purpose hangin' the seat
n your pants M around your coat c
a lar. Face him about. Gibney."
: With quick twist. Mr.. Gibney p
: sented Captain Scraggs for his pt
ance; Flaherty and McGuffey follow
p Dan Hicks promptly and Capts
" Scraggs screamed at every kick. A
p now came Mr.. Gipney's turn. IF
ly failin' to stand up like q m,