The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1921-11-25
CHAPTER Viii.

Webster's trunk went aboard the
steamer early the following morning,
and at noon he entered a taxi with his
hand baggage and was driven to the
levee where La Estrellita lay tugging
gently at her moOring lines. Owing to
the congestion Of freight and traffic the
chauffeur stopped his cab little dis
lance from the gangplank, where
Webster discharged him with a liberal
tip.
The latter, however, swung his
passengers bag and suitcase to the
ground, picked them up and started
for the gangplank.
| "Never mind my baggage. lad"
Webster called after him. "One of the
deck boys will care for it."
The chauffeur turned. you've been
| generous with me, SIR" he answered
$50 / think ] had better carry your
baggage aboard. If you permit deck
boy to handle it. you merely have to
| give another tip, and that would be
sheer wantOn waste. Why shouldn't
l earn the one you gave me?"
81 hadn't figured 1t out that way.
son, so here's another half dollar for
being the only existing specimen of
your species in captivity. My state.
/ room is No. "a upper deck. port side"
Webster answered, smiling. The man
took the tip eagerly and hurried to-
ward the gangplank; the quartermas.
ter on duty shOuldered way for him
and he darted aboard.
Webster followed Ieisurely. At the
gangplank the purser's clerk halted
him. examined his tickets and punched
| them. 49,
where IS the other mann" he asked.
You have two tickets here"
"Oh. that blamed valet Of NINE"
Webster answered. and glanced around
as If in search Of that mythical func-
tiOnary. 1T would be like the stupid
fellow to miss the boat" he added.
'When he comes"
Webster ceased speaking abruptly.
He was looking straight into the
malevolent orbs Of Pucker-eye. who
was standing just behind the clerk at
the foot of the gangplank.
II wonder if Pop-eye's around, Also"
Webster thought. and he faced about.
POp-eye was standing in back of him.
leaning over the railing of the gang
way.
(which Is the valet?' the purser's
clerk asked, scanning the names on the
tickets.
Andrew Bowers"
"All right. Mr.. Webster" the other
answered. with that genial camaraderie
that seems inseparable from all of his
calling. when Andrew comes I'll
send him aboard"
He started to pass the tickets back
to Webster, but OBTAINING hand rest
ed on his arm, while a dark thumb and
forefinger lifted the trailing strips of
tickets. Pucker-eye was examining
them also.
The purser's clerk drove his elbow
backward violently into Pucker-eye's
midrff and shook him off roughly.
what do you mean. you black-and-
tan hound?" he demanded. "Since
when did you begin to o. K my work ?"
Pucker-eye made no reply to this
stern reproof. He accepted the elbow
with equanimity and faced Webster
with an evil smile that indicated mu-
tual recognition.
"BuenO.' he said. 1.-THE senior he
ees sail on La Estrellita for San Bue-
naventura, nO?"
| 80 you came nOsing around to sec
about it, eh? Doing little plain gum
shoe work, see."
Pucker-eye bowed. BY the simple ex-
ercise of courage and bad manners he
had looked at John Stuart Webster's
ticket and was now familiar with his
name and destination.
Webster glowered darkly at Fucker
eye and said:
well, you scOundrelly cutthroat,
what are you going to do about it?
Try littleAof your knife work on me,
SUPPOSED"
The fellow grinned-the kind of grin
that is composed of equal parts of
ferocity and knowledge of superior
strength. That grin did more to dis
| concert WEBSTER tnan the knowledge
thar he had earned for himself two
bioodthirsty and implacable enemies
for Pucker-eye was the first of his
breed that Webster had ever seen
smile unfier insult. That cool smile
Infatuated him.
Pucker-eye took out a cigarette case
selected d cigarette and presented the
Ease 70 Webster. His bad manners in
selecting his own cigarette first was