Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-11-10

away toward an adjacent HOat where
small boats landed. He climbed
YEARLY up on the float and sat there,
gazing across at Hicks and Flaherty
without animus, for 10 his way OF
thinking he had gotten off lightly, con-
sidering the cnOrmity of his offense.
The least he had anticipated was three
months In hospital. and so grateful
was he TO Hicks and Flaherty for
their forbearance that he strangled n
resolve 10 "lay" for Hicks and Fla
herty and thrash them Individually
something he was fully able TO do
and forgot his aches and pains in
lively interest rs 10 the fate of Cap
tain Scraggs at the hands OF the tow
boat men. He was aware that Cap
tain Scraggs had failed ANONYMOUSLY
to rally to the Gibney appeal to repel
boarders, and in his own expressive
Technology he hoped that what the
enemy would do to the bastard would
be "a-plenty."
The enemy, meanwhile had turned
their attention upon Scraggs, who had
lodged below like frightened rabbit
and sought shelter i'm the shaft alley.
He had sufficient presence of mind, as
he dashed through the engine room. TO
snatch Il large monkey wrench Off the
tool rack on the wall, and kneeling
just inside the alley entrance he
turned at bay and threatened the in
vaders with his weapon. ThereupOn
Hicks ana Flaherty pelted him with
Jumps OF coal, but the sole result Of
this assault was TO force Scraggs
further back into the Shaft alley and
out Of range.
The towhoat men held council OF
war and decided TO drown Scraggs out.
Dan Hicks ran up on deck and re-
turned dragging the deck fire hose be-
hind him. He thrust the brass nozzle
into the shaft-alley entrance and in
vited Scraggs TO surrender uncondi-
tionally or be drowned like kitten.
Scraggs, knowing his own fire hose.
deiied them, so Dan Hicks started the
pump while Flaherty turned on the
water. Instantly the hose burst UP on
deck and iScraggs' 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 cupful Of
chloride of lime (for they found n can
Of this in the engine room in Captain
Scraggs' face, when shadow dark
ened the hatch and Mr.. Bartholomew
McGuffey demanded belligerently:
whats goin' on down there? Who
the devils takn' liberties in my en-
CINE room?'
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 few moments and made his
decision.
IF what you say is true-an' I amt
in position TO dispute you, not havin'
been present when you hauled the
Maggie off the beach, j don't blame
you for feeling sore. What do blame
YOU for. though IS carryin' the war
aboard tina Maggie. If you wanted TO
whale Glib an Scraggsy you should la
laid for EN- on the dock. Under the
circumstances, YOU make this per-
snail affair." an as Il member o the
crew o. the Maggie I got to take
hand an defend my skipper agln youse
two. Fact is. gentlemen. l got q date
TO lick him first for what he done TO
me last night. Howsumeyer, that's
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
ont Of there, you swab, and fight. Fla
herty, YOU stay below until I send for
you; If 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-boy."
you're on, McGufrev. 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 him and drew
him of to the stern Of the Maggie.
"Therell be no fight" he declared,
although Wen thud around on deck
an yell n couple o times TO make
Scraggs think we're goin to II. He
figgers that by the time I've fought
you an Flaherty I won't be fit for
combat with him, even If lick you
both; he's got 1t all figgered out that
I'll wait n couple o days before
tacklln' him, an he thinks my tenn
peril cool by that time an he can
argy me out o my revenge. Savey?"
81 twig."
Mr. Gbney had returned 10 the
Maggie by this time and he now took
his station at the engihe-roOm hatch
and growled at Flaherty and abused
him. Keep up your courage
Scraggsy," he called, as Hicks and Nc
Guffey pranced around the deck in
simulated combat. MACS whalin the
whey out o Hicks an Hicks couldn't
touch him with buggy whip
At the conclusion Of the three min
utes of horseplay, Mr.. McGuffey came
TO the hatch again. up with you,
Tlaherty," he called loud enough for
Captain Scraggs to hear, cup with you
before | go down after you"
Flaherty was about to possess him