The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-11-09

streak over the reefs less than quar- ter of a mile from her. | In an instant all was excitement an elegant little pickup. She's plumb deserted" Scraggs shouted to his navigating. officer. .I don't see any got an anchor out while her canvas is rangin' so-so.'
 eff she had any hands aboard, you'd dnink they'd have sense enough to clew up her courses" the mate answered.
 At this juncture, MT. Gibney and McGuffey, unable to restrain their curiosity, and forgetfu1 of the fact that they were pirates with very sore feet, came running over the deckload and invaded the pilot house. t'Gimme that glass, you sock-eyed salmon. tore the telescope from the owners hands. "Hum-m-i American bark Chesapeake. Starboard anchor out; lan'-s'ls clewed up; course hangin' in the buntlines an clew garnets, Stars an'-Stripes upside down." He lowered the glass and roaded at wheel, "Starboard your helm, Square head. Don't be afraid of her. We're goin over there an hook on to her. I should say she is pick-up!"
 Mir. .Gibney had abdicated as a pi- rate and assumed command of the $. s. Maggie. With the memory of a scant breakfast upon him. however, Captain Scraggs was still harsh and bitter
 "Git out O my pilot house an aft where the police can find you when they come lookin for you" he screeched. Don't you give no orders to my deckhand."
 stow it. you ass. Wonders a prize. but it'll require Imagination to win 1t: consequently you need Adelbert P. Gibney in your business, if you're contemplatln' hookin' on to that bark, sna}1ir' her into San Francisco bay, an nbeMn' her for ten thousand The Squarehead here have sailed this stIip O roast too long: together to quarrel oyer the first good piece O salvage we ever run Into. Come Scrasgsy. Be decent, forget rhe past. an let's dig in together.'' The new navigating officer drew in his ear. Make it up with these Smart Alecks. Scraggs. They got it on us. but if We can send you an Halvorsen. McGuffey an CHgbney over her an what with the wind helptn' us along the Maggie can tow her all right"
 MT. Gibney saw by the hopeful. Scraggs' eyes that the problem was about to be solved without recourse to the Gibney imagination. So he re- solved to be alert and not permit himself to be caught out on the end of a limb. Well, Scraggsy?" 2" he demanded.
 T guess I need you in my busi- ways wrong. It's a fact. I ain't 1 got no more imagination than | chicken l think. Scraggs, for once in my life I | have you where the hair IS short I'm | wilEin to dig in an help out in a pinch, but it's getuin' me an Mae l Fp m mo a hot 4eeTy of you We won't take your word ! for nothin.' since you fooled him on | the new boiler an me on the paint; 1 consequently, we're off you an this salvage job unless you give us a ! clearance, in writin', Statin' that we | are not an never was pirates. that we're good. law-a.bidin' citizens an aboard the Maggie as your guests, talk in the trip at our own risk. When you sign such a paper, with your crew for witnesses. I'll demonstrate how that bark can be salvaged. My dnaginatton's .better'n my reputation, | nothin' !''
 | "Gib, my dear boy, You're the | m ost sensitive man I ever sailed | with. Can't you take a little joke?'' 1 Sure, I can take a little joke, It's Il1e big ones that stick in my craw nm stitile my friendship, Gimme a log book an Til draw up the affy- davit for your signature | ScraSSS cofIDpIieu pfeclp1tately with 1 this request, Whereupon MT, Gibney spread his great bulk over the chart ease and with many a twist and flip | of his tongue on the up and down | strokes, produced this remarkable | document; 1 At Sea, off Point Mentara,
 | aboard s. s. Maggie,
 eof San Francisco,
 June i, 19-.
 t"This is to certify that A. r. Gib-
 ney Esq.. and Bart AfcGuffeY, Esq, is | law aibidin sitisens of the U. S. A and the eonstitootion thereof, and in no way pirates or such; and be it further resolved that the said parties hereto are aboard said American | steamer Maggie this date on the spe- | cia1 invite of Phineas P. Scraggs, own CT. as his guests and at their own risk.
 1 Witness nay hand and seai:'' i (Continued Tomorrow.)