The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-11-07


But His Gun Was Out. AS He RAISED
1t Rainey Gripped With Him.
captains room. Carlson wheeled or
Rainey, his face once more mask OF
hate.
''i'Il put you where you belong. you
id interlOper," he said. what in
HI do you mean by asking her that
question:
That's my business"
I'll make it mine. And I'll settle
yours very shortly, once and for all. J
suppose you're soft on the girl your
self" he sneered. Think yourself 9
hero! Do you think she'd look at you
q beggarly newsmonger? Why, She
"You can leave her out Of It." said
Rainey, quietly. "As for you, think
you're a dirty Backyard"
Carlsen's hand shot back to his hip
pocket as Rainey's fist flashed through
the opening and caught him high on
the jaw, sending him staggering back,
crashing against the partition and down
into the cushioned seat that ran
around the place.
But his gun was ont. As he raised IL
Rainey grappled with him. Carlson
pulled trigger, and the bullet smashed
through the skylight above them, while
Rainey forced up his arm, twisting 1t
fiercely with both hands until the gun
fell on the seat
simultaneously the girl and Lund
appeared.
"Gun-play?" rumbled the giant.
'That'll be you, Carlson! You're too
fond of shooting off that gat OF yores."
Rainey had stepped back at the
girls exclamation. Carlson recovered
his gun and put it away, while Peggy
Simms advanced with blazing eyes.
you coward ~ she said. IF had
thought-oh
She made a gesture of utter loath-
ing, at which Carlson sneered.
I'm show you whether I'm a cow
ard or not, my lady," he said, before
/ get through with all of you. And
I'll tell you one thing: The captains
life is in my hands. And he and are
the only navigators aboard this vessel,
except fool of a blind man." he add
ed, as he strobe to the door of Simms'
cabin, turned to look at them, laughed
deliberately in their faces and shut
the door on them.
"Well?" asked Lund, what are you
goin' TO do about it, Rainey? Stick
with me, or line up with the rest OF
'em, work y0re passage, an thank EN-
for nothing when they divvy the stuff
an leave you out?"
'You havn't said outright what you
are going to do yourself replied
Rainey. "As for me, 1 seem to be be
tween the devil and the deep sea. Carl
sen has got some plan to outwit the
men. It's inconceivable that he'll be
willing to give them equal shares. And
he has no use for me-"
"You haven't said outright what YOU
of his before he did" said Lund. Hell
put you out of the way If he can, but
now his temper's billed over bit, he'll
not shoot you. Not afore' the COLDS in
the hold.
"As for me-" he went ON, his voice
deepening, II found this gold, an they
didn't. 1 don't have to divvy with 'em
an won't. If emmy of 'em thinks he's
my equal all he's got to do Is say so
an I'll give him a chance to prove 1t
Feel those arms, matey,. size me up
Man to man, / c'ud, break emmy thret
of 'em in half. Put me In a room with
emmy three of 'em, an the door locked
an one 'ud come out. That 'ud be me-
This was not Dragging, not buster
ing, but calm assurance, and RaineI
felt that Lund merely stated what b
believed to be facts. And Rainey be
lieved they were facts. There was 1
confident strength of spirit aside from
his physical condition that emanatet
from Lund as steam comes from ket
tie. 1t was the sort Of strength tina
lies in steady gale. wind that on
can lean against, an elastic powe
with big reserves of force. But tn
conditions were all against Lund
though he proceeded to put then
aside
Man TO man." he repeated, Il en-.
beat 'em into Hamburg steak. An ~
got brains enough TO fool Garrison. EV
outgueSsed him so far"
Hes got the gun" warned Rainey
Never mind his gun. amt afraii
Of his gun" He nodded with such 50
preme confidence that RaIney fel
himself suddenly RELOCATING the doc
tors possession Of the. gun to tn
background. IF his guns the onl,
thing trubblin' you. forget it. You ar
me got TO know where we stand. It
up TO you. / won't blame you 70
shiftin' over An can git along with
out you. If need be. But we've 60
along together fine; I've took MOTTO
to you. I'd like 10 see you get whac
of that gold, an all the devils In h
an out Of IL amt goin' to stop me fror
gittin' it!'
He talked In low voice, but II run
bled like the distant roar Of a bull
Rainey looked at the indomitable jaw