Williams news., 1922-02-24

(Continued from last week. Dan HICKS ran up on deck and re- turned dragging the deck fire hose be- hind him. He thrust the brass nozzle into the shaft-al1ey entrance and in vited Scraggs to surrender uncond1- tionally or be drowned like a kitten Scraggs, knowing his own fire hose. defied them, so Dan Hicks started the pump while Flaherty turned on the water. Instantly the hose burst up on deck and Scraggs' jeers of triumph filled the engine roOm- The enemy was about to draw lots to see which one of the two should crawl into the shaft alley and throw cupful or chloride of lime (for they found can of this in the engine room) in Captain Scraggs' face, when shadow dark ened the hatch and MT. Bartholomew McGuffey demanded belligerently: whats goin' on down there? Who the devils takin' liberties in my en- zine room?" ..
 Dan Hicks explained the situation and the just cause for drastic action which they held against the fugitive in the shaft alley. MT. McGuffey con- sidered a few moments and made his decision.
 u in position to dispute you, not havin been present when you hauled the Maggie off the beach, I don't blame you for feeling sore. What do blame you for, though, is carryin' the war aboard the Maggie. If you wanted to whale Glib an Scraggsy you should ha' laid for 'em on the dock. Under the circumstances, you make this per s'nal affair, an as member O the crew O the Maggie I got to take hand an defend my skipper agln youse two. Fact is, gentlemen. I got date to lick him first for what he done to me last night. Howsumever, that's private grouch. The fact remains that you two jumped my pal Bert Gibney an licked him somethin' scandalous. Hicks, I'll take you on first. Come up out of there, you swab. and fight. Fla herty, you stay below until send for you: if you try to climb up an horn in on my fight with Hicks, Gibneyll brain you."
 A faint cheer came from the shaft alley. "Good old Mac. At-a-boyr'
 .You're on, McGuffey. Nobody ever had to beg me to fight him." Dan Hicks replied cordially, and climbed to the deck. To his great surprise. MT. McGuffey winked at him and drew him off to the stern of the Maggie.
 .aThereIl be no fight" he declared, although we'll thud around on deck an yell a couple O times to make Scraggs think we're gofn' to 1t. He figgers that by the time I've fought you am Flaherty I won't be fit for combat with him, even if I lick you both; he's got it all fingered out that I'll wait a couple O days hef"-" tackIin' him, an he thinks my tern peril cool by that time an he can argy me out O my revenge. Savey? ' 'I twig."
 MT. Gibney had returned to the Maggie by this time and he now took his station at the engine-rOOm hatch and growled at Flaherty and abused him. keep up your courage, Scraggsy," he called. as Hicks and Me Guffey pranced around the deck in simulated combat. Macs whalin' the whey out O Hicks an Hicks couldn't touch him with a buggy whip
 At the conclusion of the three min utes of horse-play, MT. McGuffey came to the hatch again. up with you, Flaherty," he called loud enough for Captain Scraggs to hear. up with you before I go down after you
 FIaherty was about to possess him. self of a hatchet when the face of his confrere Dan Hicks. appeared over McGuffey's shoulder and grinned knowingly at him. Immediately, Fla herty hurled defiance at his enemies and came up on deck, and once more to Captain Scraggs came the dull sounds of apparent conflict overhead
 Suddenly ea cheer broke from MT Gibney. "An off an gone to Cooper :. town, Scraggsy," he, shouted. Come up an, take a. look at the fallen" g. . Out of the shaft alley came Scragg: with a rush. tossing his wrench aside the better to climb the ladder. He wal