Middletown transcript., 1921-11-12

cold. Git out. Two can play at a
dirty game an every dog must have
his day. This is my day, Glib. Scat!'
"Pers'nally," McGuffey announced
quietly, II prefer to die aboard the
Maggie, if have to. This amt mov'
in day with B. McGuffey, Esquire"
'Them's my sentiments, too,
Scraggsy."
'Then defend yourselves. Come on,
lads. Bear hand an We'll bounce
these muckers overheard" The
Squarehead hung back, having no In
tention Of waging war upon his late
comrades, but the engineer and the
new navigating officer stepped brlskly
forward, for they were about to tight
for their jobs. Mr.. Gibney halted the
advance by lifting both great hands
in a deprecatory manner.
"For heavens sake, Scraggsy, have
heart. Don't force us to murder
you. If we're peaceable, what's to
prevent you from givin' us passage
back to San Francisco, where we're
known an where we'll have at least
a fightin' chance to git somethin' to
eat occasionally"
"You know mighty we'll what's to
prevent me, Glib. I amt got no pas
senger license, an I'll be keel-hauled
an skull-dragged if I fall for your
cute little game, my son. amt layln
myself liable to fine from the inspec'
tors an maybe have my ticket book
took away to boot
Enough of this gab," Mr.. Gibney
roared. "My patience is exhausted
I'm dog-tired an I'm goin' to have
peace if I have to fight for it, Me an
Bart stays aboard the steamer Maggie
until she gets back to Frisco town 81
until we're hove overheard in the In
terim by the weight Of numbers. An
if any man, or set O. male bipeds thai
calls themselves men, is so foolish al
to try to evict us from this packet
then all I got to say is that they're
trifin with death. I got my arms left
even If my feet is on the fritz
Scraggs," he continued, "an' if yor
start anything I'll hug you an you
crew to death. I'm rip-roarin' grlz
zly bear once I'm started an there's
such a thing as drivin' man to des
peration."
The bluff worked! Captain Scragg'
turned to his retainers and with
condescending and paternal smile
said: "Boys, let's give the dumf
fools their own way. If they insis
upon takin' forcible possession O. m.
ship OH the high seas, there's only on
name for the crime-an' that's piracy
punishable by hangin' from the yard
arm. Well just let 'em stay aboart
an turn 'em over to the police whe1
we git back to the city"
He started for his cabin and tn
crew, vastly relieved, followed him
The pirates once more sat down ant
permitted their hot feet to loll over
board.
About ten o'clock next morning tn
little vessel completed taking on he
cargo. the lines were cast off, and tn
homeward voyage was begun. Messrs
Gibney and McGuffey were seated o.
the stern bits as the Maggie cam
abreast the Point Montara fog sigma
station, when Mr.. Gibney observed
long telescope poking out the side win
dow of the pilot house, and followin
the direction in which the telescop
was pointing he made out large bar
standing in dangerously close to tn
beach. In fact, the breakers were tun
bling in a long white streak over tn
reefs less than a quarter Of mil
from her.
In an instant all was excitemen
aboard the Maggie. ''That looks lik
an elegant little pickup. She's plum
deserted" Scraggs shouted to his nav
eating officer. II don't see any distres
signals flynn an yet she's got a
: anchor out while her canvas is hangil
$780,"
IF she had any hands aboard, you
think they'd have sense enough
clew up her courses" the mate al
swered.
At this juncture, Mr.. Gibney an
McGuffey, unable to restrain their CT
riosity, and forgetful Of the fact tha
they were pirates with very sore fee