, 1921-12-17

Ienee, we're pirates under the law. nj
It don't take much Imagination to see
three pirates swingin' from the same
yard-arrn. No, sir. Mac. 1 ein't got
no wish, now that we're fixed nice an
comfortable with the worlds goods, to
be hung for n pirate in the mere skunk
o. my youth. Why. l amt nfty year
old yet"
by the tail o. the Great Sacred
Bull" chartered Scraggs. "Gih's right"
McGuney was plainly disappointed.
81 hadn't thought O. that at all Glib. l
been cherlshln' the thought o. lammin'
the whey out'n that mate. but II you
say so I'll give up the ides. But II
bringin' the Maggie II into home wa.
ters Is invitin' death. whit In blue
blazes'rc we goin' 10 do with herr"
Mr.. Glhney smlled-an arch. cunning
smile. "wem give her t. that muir
derin' mnte, free gratis"
Captain sernggs bounded out OF his
chalr, struck the hot deck with his
bare feet. cursed, and hoped back
into the chair again. McGuffey stared
lncredulously. "Glb, my dear boy"
quavered Scraggs, SAY that agin."
Yes" continued the commodore
pIacidly. wen Just get shet o. her
%peaceable like by givin' her to this
mate. Don't forget. Scrnggsy. old tar
pot. that this mates been passin' him.
self on for you in Honolulu. an II
there's ever an investigation, the trail
leads TO the Maggie II. This mates
admitted being Captain Scraggs. an II
he's found with the schooner in his
possession TN take a heap o. evidence
for him 10 prove that he amt Captain
Scrnggs. Wen Just keep this here mate
in the brig while we'rc disposing OF
Il black coral, pearl. shell and copra
In Honolulu, an then. when we've
cleaned up, an got u passages
booked for Snn Frnnclsco--
But who says we're goin' back to
San franciscan" cut in McGuffey.
"NNhy. where else would men with
money In their pockets head for, you
oil-soaked piece Of i~gnoranee7 Amt
you had enough adventure to do you q
spellT' demanded Captain scragss.
me an GIBBS for goin' back to San
Francisco, so shut up. II you got any
objection. you're outvoted two to ono
In the syndicate"
McGurey subsidized. growing, and
Mr.. Gibney continued:
"When we're ready to leave Homo
iulu, wen bring this mate on deck.
make him a kind Christian tnlk n
give him the Maggie II with the COM
pllmonts o the syndicate. He'll think
our sufrerin's on that island has
touched us with religion an he'll be so
tickled he'll keep his mouth shut.
Then, with nil three OF US safe an out
O. the mess, an the evidence OF our
hands. wen clear out for Gawd's coun-
try an look around for some sort Of a
profitable Investment"
The commodore sighed. "she's a
love of a boat an 1t breaks my heart
to give up the only command I've ever
had. but the fact is, Mac. her possess
sion by us Is dangerous, an we don't
need her, in we can't sell her because
her records got blurs on 1t. We can't
convey a clean an satisfactory title.
Anyhow. she didn't cost us a cent an
there amt no real financial loss If we
give her TO this mate. He'd be glad to
get her II she bad yellow Jack aboard.
an II he's caught with her hen have
to- do the e%xplninin'. When you're
cnught with the goods in your posses
sion. Mac, It makes the expialnin' all
the harder. Besides, we're three TO
one. an II II comes to a showdown
later we can outswear the mate"
Captain ScragEs picked his snacgle
teeth with tho little blade OF his Jack.
knife and cogitated a minute.
well" he announced presently. "far
be It from me to fly In the face o. a
felon's death. I've made q heap o.
money, follerin' GIBBS advice. n n bust
my hob-stny If I don't stay put on this.
Glib, It's FOUR lead"
Cro be Continued