Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1922-02-24
CHAPTER I.
Blind Samson.

Rsp Francisco waterfront and Raj
nav reacted to the brisk touch Of the
tysde-wind upon his cheek, the breeze
tsnpering the sun, bringing with 1t
lang OF the open sea and hint Of orr
sntaI spices from the wharves. The
Anil thump Of a heavy cane upon the
t,.pbered walk and the shuttle Of un-
aartaln feet warned him from blunder-
sns into man tapping his way along
ths Embarcadero a giant who halted
abruptly and feced him, leaning on the
Aeavy stick
"Matey," asked the giant. could you
Uut o blind man In the way Of finding
he sealin' schooner KarlukT"
The voice fitted its owner. Rainey
sbought--a basso voice tempered to
he occasion. a deep-sea voice that
could below above the roar Of a gale
II needed For all his shoregoing
Aothes and shuttle, the man was GER
tainly sailor. or had been. He wore
dark glasses with side lenses. over
which heavy brows projected IN shag-
~ wlspS Of red hair.
Blind az the man proclaimed him
'aalf with voice and action. Rainey
sensed something back OF those col
SEed glasses that seemed to be ap-
prnising him. almost as II the will Of
the man was peering. or listening. To-
ensed through those listless sockets.'
you're not nfty yards from the
KArluk," Rainey replied. But you're
bound in the wrong direction. Let me
put you right. I'm going that way my
self"
that's kind Of ye, matey." said the
other. But picked ye for that sort.
hsarin' you whistlin' as you came
swingin' along. Give me the touch Of
yore arm matey."
Rainey wonderingly sized up his con-
sort. The strangers bulk was enor-
nous. Rainey was we'll over the aver
age himself but he was only a strip
ling beside this hulk, this stranded
hulk, Of manhood. And. for all the
specialized eyes and shuffiing feet.
there was a stamp Of co-ordinated
strength about the giant that bespoke
the blind Samson. Given eyes, Rainey
could imagine him agile as a panther,
strong as bear.
His weight was made up Of thews
and slnews. spare and solid flesh with
out an ounce Of waste, upon a mighty
sksleton. His face was heavy-bearded
h hair Of flaming, eufllne red, from
high cheekbones down out of sight be-
low the soft loose collar Of his shirt.
About thirty, Rainey judged him.
Bufeted by time and weather. but In
me prime of his strength.
"Snow-blnded, matey," said the
man. North o. Point Barrow. a year
an more ago. Brought me up all
standin. What are you? Steamer
mani PurSer, maybef"
Newspaper man." answered Rainey.
Waterfront detail. For the Times"
You don't say so, mateyf A writer.
chr"
Again Rainey felt the tug Of that
something back Of the dark lenses,
some speculation going on in the
mans mind concerning him. And he
feit the firm fingers contract ever SO
slightly sinking into the muscles OF
ms forearm for second with a hint
m how they could bruise and para.
Iyze at will. A faint sense Of revul.
Gon fought with his natural inclina-
oon to aid the handicapped mariner
and he shook II off.
The Karluk sails tomorrow" he
said. Il had short talk with Captain
Stmms when she docked. Not much
"a yarn. She didn't have a good trip
you know"
why. didn't know. But-hold q
mnnit, will yer You see, Simms ID
IN old shipmate Of mine. He don't
ersam I'm within a hundred miles o
H@re. Aye. or a thousand" He gavs
oeep-ehested chucAie. "Now. then
matey, look here"
hainsy was anchored by the com.
Failing gnp. They stood next to ths
up In which the soalsr lay. The
AariuFs decks were Deserted, thouEh
mare was smoke coming from the nj.
~ stovepipe.
smms 10 likely % be aboard
vent on the other. .Ys see I knOw
ways. An I've eomS q long txsC
him. Nigh missed him. ouly
IN from Seattle this mornin'. Il
expectin' me. an No in my uand
surprise him. By way of a tUke
lows the deckI ClsArF'
no one In sight" sAid Rainey.
~. ne' DO me a favor matey, an
me down into tie cabin, II d
~e skipper's thera. If he amt, m
sor him. rvo gOt the right an
the Karluk's cabin. know
~ neh Of her. You1l see when
80 aboard. Let's so."
nsy led him down the gangway
@e oeck u tho SGaler, still csWt.
DIT with uastswOd gear. o.
asos the blinA maA aaaaed IA -