Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1921-11-10

until she gets back to Frisco town or
until we're hove overheard In the IN.
term by the weight of numbers. An
If any man, or set o. male bipeds thar
calls themselves men, Is so foolish as
to try to evict us from this packet
then all / got to say Is that they're
trifiin' with death. got my arms left
even II my feet Is on the fritz,
Scraggs," he continued "an' If Won
start anything I'll hug you an your
crew to death. I'm rip-roarin' griz.
ely bear once I'm started an there's
such a thing as drivin' man to des
peration."
The bluff worked Captain Scragg,
turned to his retainers and with
condescending and paternaI smile
said: Boys, let's give the dumb
fools their own way. II they insis,
upon takin' forcible possession O. my
ship on the high seas, there's only on,
name for the crime-an that's piracy
punishable by hangin' from the yard
arm. Wen just let 'em stay aboard
an turn 'em over to the police wher
we git back to the city"
He started for his cabin and the
crew, vastly relieved, followed him.
The pirates once more sat down and
permitted their hot feet to loIl over.
| board.
About ten o'clock next morning the
little vessel completed taking on her
cargo, the lines were cast off, and the
homeward voyage was begun. Messrs.
Gibney ana McGuffey were seated ON
the stern bits as the Maggie came
abreast the Point Montana fog signal
station. when Mr.. Gibney observed a
long telescope poking out the side win.
dow of the pilot house, and following
the direction In which the telescope
was pointing he made out large bark
standing In dangerously close to the
beach. In fact, the breakers were tum
bling in long white streak over the
reefs less than a quarter Of mile
from ner.
In an instant all was excitement
aboard the Maggie. "That looks like
all elegant little pickup. She's plumb
deserted Scraggs shouted to his navi.
eating officer. Il don't see any distress
signals flynn an yet she's got an
anchor out while her canvas Is hangn'
$685."
IF she had any hands aboard, you'd
think they'd have sense enough to
clew up her courses the mate an
swered.
AT this juncture, Mr. Gibney and
McGuffey. unable to restrain their Gu
riosity. and forgetful of the fact that
they were pirates with very, sore feet.
came running over the deckf6ad ma
Invaded the pilot house. Gimme that
glass, you sock-eyed salmon, you" Glib
ney ordered Scraggs, and tore the tele-
scope from the owners hands.
"Hum-m-m American bark. Chesa-
peake. Starboard anchor out; yards
braced a-box; royal an to'-gallan
clewed up; courses hangin' in the
buntlines an clew garnets, Stars-an-
Stripes upside down."
He lowered the glass and roared at
Neils Halvorsen. who was at the
wheel, "Starboard your helm, Square
head. Don't be afraid Of her. We're
goin' over there an hook on to her.
h should say she is a pick-upi'
Mr. Gibney had abdicated as pi-
rate and assumed command of the S.
S. Maggie. With the memory of
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 1t, you ass. Yonder's a prize,
but it'll require imagination to win 1t;
consequently you need Adelbert p.
Gibney in your business. If you're con-
templatin' hookin' on to that bark,
,snakin' her into San Francisco bay, an
libelin' her for ten thousand dollars
salvage. You an Mac an The Square
head here have sailed this strip o.
coast too long together to quarrel over
the first good piece O. salvage we ever
run into. Come, Scraggsy. Be decent,
forget the past. an let's dig in to-
gether."
The new navigating officer drew
Captain Scraggs aside and whispered
IN his ear: MAKE II up with these
Smart Alexis, Scraggs. They got II on
us, but II we can send you an Hal
vorsen, McGuffey and Glbney over
to the bark. you can get some sail on
her an what with the wind helpin'
us along. the Maggie can tow her all
right"
Mr.. Gibney saw by the hopeful, even
Cupnip0 laok that Iaonpd m CcrNgvS'