New Britain herald., 1921-09-13

good turn for you. and you're the
right sort, and I'm going to let you
In on something good. Galen has
given me the tip. What's more, Ga
lens in on it himself. He commands
| the Cristobal, and she's Fat Yuen's
| boat
do 1 take it Galen's to give us a
plain sailing with the job, sir?"
You do. He's to get his share
meet up with us in the night off, a
| southern island and we board him
with a crew of Cantonese who know
their business
with the Queen?"
"Oh. no. The Tropic Bird, you in
command He'll sail right into your
hands. pay you in gold your share
! when you deliver You couldn't sell
n bunch of pearls. but L can, a few
at a time.
And what's my bit?''
Ten thousand gold-a third, any
way"
And Galen a third?''
we can't take chances with GaIen.
He drinks and talks. Your crew is
to wipe out his crew, and when it's
done you're to finish Galen. You'll
clear from here to Zamboanga in bal
last for a cargo of copra, but don't
put in at Fam boanga until after the
jobs done who's to know you wait
cd for Galen, anything about the
Cristobal if you sink hero
TN take it, sir-I'll take it," Rat
tray reached for the bottle.
You get week. I'll call you when
Galen comes aboard. And keep clear
of Satterlee."
CHAPTER W
The Tropfc Bird lay at anchor in
the lee of a small island, close in,
her hull in the shadow of low moon.
She showed no lights.
Capt. Rattray sat in the ca bin, read
ing by a shaded pinnacle light He
had been waiting a week. and his
nerve was beginning to ooze away.
There a sharp ejaculation out
side. Bare feet began to scamper
over the deck, and the rigging creaked
suddenly. Rattray ran out as the
to the others to be still. The rigging
began to fill with figures. Rattray
went up the main shrouds.
A schooner! She was driving along
before the wind, out of the south
west on a course that would put her
within an hour so close that he would
be able to toss a biscuit to her!
There was a splutter of Chinese
words from the boatswain, who was
really Rattrays mate, and the anchor
chain came home. The schooner
swung broadside to the current and
reeled into the moonlight.
Before she had cleared the heel of
the island she was alive aloft with
busy figures. Her stays snapped in
response TO growing orders, the
mizzentop sagged and fell forward,
the foretopmast was let down, leav-
ing the sorry stub of the foremost
topped by crosstrees.
Strips of canvas began to sway up
ward. The foresail went oversize, to
twist itself, and belly out, flap in the
water. and drag in the wake. She
heeled deeply to port by reason of her
rock ballast being purposely shifted,
her scuppers awash. Thus she f1oated
like a dismal derelict, sail blown out
of the bolt ropes-the apparent rem
nants of a vessel left after a meal by
"a hungry typhoon.
Rattray went below and lit a Ian
term. putting a packet over il as he
brought il on deck. Then he showed
il three times and blew it out. The
strange schooner promptly altered
her helm and ran dead for the Tropic
Bird.
Schooner ahoy!' Rattray bawIed,
as she drew near.
''Ahoy yerself! What schooner's
that?" 1t was Galen's voice.
Peerless. Sandakan for Zamboan-
ga, Capt. Jotran!" replied Rattray.
I'm sinking"
Alright! Come along and look live
ly."
Rattray gave an order in low
voice. The Chinese put. two boats
over the port rail. There Nere chuck
lings. and agleefui whispers Six men
were left behind and warned not to
show their heads.
This is the CristobaI, for Singa-
pore. Galen's my name" came
call. as Rattray went over the side.
Mighty glad to see you. My
names Jotran,' said Rattray. They
shook hands understandingly and
went into the cabin.
i've heard of you, cap'n," Galen
began. in n loud voice, as he sat down
on a stool. and waved Rattray to a
seat He leaned forward, and point
ing to the door farthest aft on the
port side. whispered: He's in there,
asleep"
And where are the
Rattray checked his question as the
door opened cautiously, and a yellow
face peered out.
"Wha's malla?" asked the yellow