, 1921-11-26

N0N NfNAt 49, @F Do A
one"
They had come INSIDE the minimum
range OF the Mexicsn's ioug gun now.
so that only the o~nepernders con-
tinued to peck at the Maggie. Evil
IDENTIFY the Mexican was as eager TO
get to close quarters as Mr.. Gfbney,
for he held steadily on his course.
well. lite time TO put over the big
stun." Mr.. Gfbnsy remarked presently.
Here's hopin' they don't pot me with
rife hre while I'm extsndin' my COM
~piimcnts."
AS the nrst muxrie burst rsked the
Mexican Captain scragss saw that
most Of the terrible blast of lead had
effective. for 10 q man the crews OF
the one-pounders deserted their posts
and tumbied below; seeing which the
Individual In command lost his nerve
He was satisfied now thai the Internal
Maggie purposed ramming him : he had
marveied that the flibuster should
use shrapnei. after she had ranged
with shell Che did not know It was
percussion shrapnel) and in sudden
panic he decided that the Maggie, NOR
tally wounded. purposed getting close
enough 10 sink him with sheii-1re n
she failed to ram him; whereupon the
yellow streak came through and he
waved his arms frnntically above his
head IN token Of surrender.
"She's hauled down her rag"
Khrieked scraggs. BE merciful. Glib.
There's men dyin' on that boat"
sT - nrc1~~f1. 4h.A D. 90 . NJ 14A
ney shouted to the helmsman. The
schooner had hove to and when the
Maggie also hove TO some thirty yards
TO windward OF her Mr.. GIbney In
formed the Mexican. In atrocious Span
fish well mixed with English. that II
the latter so much as lifted his little
finger he-might expect TO be sunk like
a dog. Down below. everybody but
the heimshan. or III sweep YOU
decks with another muzzie burst" he
Numbered.
The Mexican obeyed and Captain
Scraggs rel up in the pilot house and
laid the terribly battered Maggie
alongside the schooner. The instant
she touched. Mr.. Gibney sprang
aboard. quickly followed by Captain
scraggs. who had rellnqulshed the
helm TO his first mate.
Suddenly Captain scraggs shouted.
Look, Glib. for the love of the Lord.
lookl I" and pointed with his finger. At
the head of the little iron.raiied com
panion-way leading down Into the en-
CINE room a man was standing. He
had n monkey wrench 10 one hand and
a greasy rag In the other.
Mr.. Grbney turned and looked at the
man.
"McGuffey. for a thousand - he bel.
lowed. and ran forward with out.
stretched hand. Captain Scraggs was
at Gibney's heels. and. between them
they came very nearly %dislocating Bar
tholomcw McGufey,s arm
'McGufey. my dear boy said Cap
tain Scrnggs. "whatever are you
a-doin' OF this heather hattieshlpT'
Mel" calculated Mr.. McGurey. with
his old-time elaboration. "why. I'm
the chief engineer OF this craft. / had
a good job. too. but J. guess It's all of
now. and the Mexican governmental
fire me. Say. who chucked that buck.
shot down into my engine roomY'
Admiral Glbney did It," said
Scrnggs. 'The old Maggie's along
side and me and GIBBS fiiibusters. Bear
a hand. Mac. and help us clap the
matches on our prisoners"
THANK God" said-Mr. Gibney pious-
y, 81 didn't kill you. Come TO look
into the matter, ! didn't kill anybody.
though i see half a dozen Mexicans
around decks more or less cut up.
Where you been all these years. Mac7"
81 been chief engineer in the Mexi-
can navy" replied McGurey. Have
you captured us in the name Of the
United States or whntY'
We've captured you in the name of
Adelbert p. Gibney," was the reply. "I
been huntin' all my life for q ship Of
my own, and now I've got her. Lord.
Mac. she's a beauty. amt she7 All
hardwood finish. teak rail. well found.
and just the ticket for the island
trade. Wen. wen, we'll I'm Captain
Gibney at last"
Where do I come in, Gib7" asked
Captain Scraggs modestly.
swell, seein' as the Maggie has two
holes through her hull below the wa
t%erline. and is generally nicked to
pieces, you might quit askin' questions
and get back aboard and put the
pumps on her. You're lucky II she
don't sink on you before we get to Des-
ranso bay. II she sinks, don't worry.
I'll give you a job as my first mate.
Mac, you're my engineer, but not at no
fancy Mexican price. I'll pay o the
union scale and not a blasted cent
more or less. Is that fair?"
McGufey said It was, and went he
low to tune up his engine. Mr.. Gibney
took the wheel of the gunboat. n
sent Captain Scraggs back aboard the
Maggie. and in a few minutes both
vessels were bowling along toward
Descanso bay. They were on the bay
at midnight. and while with Mr. Glib
ney In command Of the federal gun
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