Phoenix tribune., 1922-03-11
THE GREEN PEA PIRATES
CONTINUED From Last Issue)


lowed, and ran forward with out
stretched hand. Captain Scraggs was
at Gibney's heels, and between them
they came very nearly disiccating Bar
tholomew McGufrey's arm.
'McGuffey, my dear boy" said Cap
tain Scraggs. Whatever are you
a-doin' on this heather battleshipg
"Mel" calculated Mr.. McGuffey. with
his old-time deliberation. "Why, I'm
the chief engineer Of this craft had
good job, too, but guess it's all off
now, and the Mexican governmental
fire me. Say, who chucked that buck,
shot down into my engine room?''
admiral Gibney did it," said
Scraggs. "The old Maggie's along
side and me and GIBBS flibusters. Bear
a hand, Mac. and help us clap the
matches on our prisoners"
"Thank God" said Mr.. Gibney pious-
ly, II didn't kill you. Come to look
into the matter, didn't kill anybody,
though / see half a dozen Mexicans
around decks more or less cut up.
Where you been all these years, Mac?"
81 been chief engineer in the Mexi-
can navy" replied McGuffey. Have
you captured us in the name Of the
United States or what?"
We've captured you in the name of
Adelbert P. Gbney," was the reply. 81
been huntln' all my life for ship of
my own, and now I've got her. Lord,
Mac, she's beauty, amt she7 All
hardwood finish, teak rail, well found,
and just the ticket for the island
trade. Well, well, well I'm Captain
Gibney at last"
"Where do I come in, GibY' asked
Captain Scraggs modestly.
'Well, seein' as the Maggie has two
holes through her huh below the wa
terline, and is generally nicked to
pieces, you might quit askin' questions
and get back aboard and put the
pumps on her. You're lucky If she
don't sink on you before we get to Des-
canso bay. If she sinks, don't worry.
III give you a Job as my first mate.
Mac, you're my engineer. but not at no
fancy Mexican price. I'll pay you the
union scale and not a blasted cent
more or less. Is that fair?"
McGuffey said it was, and went be-
low to tune up his engine. Mr.. Gibney
took the wheel of the gunboat, and
sent Captain Scraggs back aboard the
Maggie, and in a few minutes both
vessels were bowling along toward
Descanso bay. They were off the bay
at midnight, and while with. Mr.. Glib
ney in command Of the federal gun
boat Captain Scraggs had nothing to
fear, the rapid rise of water in the
hold Of the Maggie was sadly discon-
certing. About daylight he made up
his mind that she would sink within
two hours, and without pausing to
whine over his predicament, he
promptly beached her. She drove far
up the beach, with the slack water
breaking around her SCARED stern, and
when the tide ebbed she lay high and
dry. And the rebel soldiers came
trooping down from the Megano
rancho and falling upon her carcass
like so many ants, quickly distributed
her cargo amongst them, and disap-
peared.
Captain Scraggs sent his crew out
aboard the captured gunboat to assist
Mr. Gibney in rowing his prisoners
ashore, and when finally he stood
alone beside the wreck OF the brave
old Maggie, piled up at last in the port
Of missing ships, something snapped
within his breast and the big tears
rolled in quick succession down his
sun-tanned cheeks. The old hulk
looked peculiarly pathetic as she lay
there, listed over on her beam ends.
She had served him well, but she had
finished her last voyage. and with some
vague idea of saving her old bones
from vandal hands, Captain Scraggs,
sobbing audibly, scattered the contents
of half dozen cans of kerosene over
her decks and In the cabin, lighted
fires in three different sections Of the
wreck, and left her to the consuming
flames. Half an hour later he stood
on the battered decks Of the gunboat
beside G,bney and McGuffey and
watched the dense clouds Of smoke
that heralded the passing Of the Mag
gle.
''She was a good old hulk" said
Mr.. Gibney. "And now, as the spe-
cial envoy of the Liberal army Of Mex
leo, here's a draft on Los Angeles for
five thousand bucks, Scraggsy. which
constitutes the balance due. you Oh
this here flibuster trip. OF course
l needn't remind you, Scraggsy, that
you'd never have earned this money il
it hadn't been for Adelbert P Gibney
workin' his Imagination overtime
I've made you chunk of money, and
while I couldn't save your ship. did
save your life AS reward for all
this, don't claim one cent of the
money due you, as could If wanted
to be rotten mean. I'm goln' to keeI
this fine little power schooner for my
share of the loot She's nicked ur
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