Cheyenne Wells record., 1922-05-11
me its spilled" cried McGurey, slmu.

lating horror.
"No, not quite, Mac. not quite. Just
slightly. l s'pose Gib'll tack a sign
to the stub O. the main mast: Slight
ly spoiled Goldfish for sale. Apply to
A. P. Gibney. on the premises. Spe-
cial rates on Friday"
Mr.. Gibney quivered, but made no
reply. He carefully examined that
portion Of the derelIct above water and
discovered that by an additional ex-
penditure of about fifty dollars he
might recover an equal amount in
brass fittings. The Kadiak's house
was gone and her decks completely
gutted. Nothing remained but the am
putated hull and the foul cargo below
her battered decks.
In majestic silence the commodore
motioned all hands into the launch.
In silence they returned to the city.
Arrived here, Mr.. Gibney paid of the
launch man and the diver and ac-
companied by his associates repaired
to a prominent jewelers. shop with
the pearls they had accumulated in
the South seas. The entire lot was
sold for thirty thousand dollars. An
hour later they had adjusted their
accounts. divided the fortune Of the
syndicate equally, and then dissolved.
At parting, Sir. GIbney spoke for the
first time when II had not been alb
solutely necessary.
"Put beggar on horseback an
he'll ride TO the devil" he said. "When
you two swabs was poor you was con-
tent to let me lend you into fortune.
hut now that you're well-heeled. you
think you're business men. All right !!
I amt got word to say, except this
Before I get through with you two
beachcOmbers I'll have all your money
and you'll be a-beggin' me for job.
I apologize for soakIn' you two with
that diseased Goldfish. an for old sake's
sake we won't fight. We're still
friends. hut business associates no
longer. for I'm too big n figger in this
syndicate to stand for my criticism
on my hnndlin' O the joint finances.
Hereafter. Scrnggsy, old kiddo. you
an Mnc can go II alone with your
sternwheel steamer. Me an The
Squnrehead legs 1t together an takes
our chances. You don't hear that poor
untootered Swede maxim no hoIler nt
the way I've handled the syndIcate-"
"But. Glib. my dear boy" chartered
Captain Scraggs. twill you just listen
to re"
"Enough! Too much is plenty.
Let's shake hands an part friends.
We Just can't get along In business
together. that's nll."
swell, Tin sorry. Glib" mumbled Nc
Gufrey. very much crestfallcn. but
then you hove that dOg-gone fish Mt
me an"
THAT was fortune hittIn' you a
belt In the face, Mac. an you was too
self-conceIted to recognize 1t. Remem-
ber that, both Of you two. Fortune
hit you in the face today an you
didn't know It,"
"rd rut,ler die poor. Gib." walled
McGuffey
The commodore shook hands cor
daily ind departed, followed by the
faithful Neils Hnlvorsen. The mo-
ment the door closed behind them
Scragss turned to the engineer.
"Aiac," he said earnestly, "Gib's up
to soinethin'. He's got that imagina-
tion O. his workin'. I can tell it every
time; he gets foggy look In his eyes.
We made mistake kiddin' him today.
GIb's sensitive boy some ways an
l reckon we hurt his feelin's without
intendin' It,"
'He thrun dead Goldfish at me-"
protested McGuffey. 81 love old Glib
like brother. but that's carryin'
things with a mighty high hand"
"Well, I'll apologize to him." de-
clared Captain Scraggs and started
for the door to follow Mr.. Gibney.
McGufrey barred his way.
"YOu apologize without my consent
an you gotta buy me out o. the VIC
tor. won't be no engineer with a
skipper that lacks backbone"
"Oh. very well. Mac" Captain
Scraggs realized too well the value Of
McGuffey in the engine room. He
knew he could never be happy with
anybody else. "Well complete the
deal with the Victor. ship crew. get
down to business, an leave Glib to his
Goldfish. An let's pay our bill an get
outer here. It's too high-toned for
mean expensive"
For two weeks Captain Scraggs and
McGufYey saw no more Of Mr.. Gibney
and Neus Halvorsen. In the mean
time, they had commenced running the
Victor regularly up river, soliciting
business in opposition to the regular
lines. While the Victor was
running with light freights and con-
sequently at loss. the prospect for
ultimate business was very bright and
Scraggs and McGuffey were not at all
worried about the future.
Judge at their surprise, therefore,
when one morning who should appear
at the door of Scraggs' cabin but Mr..
Gibney.
"Mornin'. Gib," began Scraggs cheer
lily. II s'pose you been rolled for your
money as per usual, an you're around
loOkin' for Job as mater"