Cheyenne Wells record., 1922-02-16
CHAPTER v.

week had elapsed and nothing of
Tentful nature had transpircd to
rb the routine of life aboard the
Re, until Bartholomew McGufrey,
hg heard certain waterfront whis-
considered 1t the part of prI-
he to lay his information before
hsgs and Mr.. Gibney.
Look here, Scraggs," he began
ikly. Its all fine an dandy to
mise me new boiler, but when do
|tt IT."
Why, jes' as soon as we can get
glut o. freight behind us, Bart,
boy You've managed with the old
Der this long, so 1t pears to me you
sht be patient an bear with 1t
tte longer, Bart"
Uh, I amt tryin' to be disagreenble,
raggs, only 1t sort o. worries me to
i've to 20 along without bein' able to
N our whistle"
sWe1l fix 1t when business slacks
h" Scraggs decided with finality. He
tanced at his watch. "Sufferin'
aIor" he cried In simulated dis
hsss. Here it's one o'clock an I amt
dlected dollar O. the freight money
fom the Inst voyage. I must beat It."
When Captain Scraggs had "beaten
T. Gibney and McGufrey exchanged
oppressive glances. "He's runnin' out
b u.s." McGuffey complained.
Even so, Bart, even SO. Therefore.
he thing for us to do is to run out
n him. In other words. we'll work a
nonth, save our money. an then, with
sut word O. complaint or argument.
st1l wnlk out"
'0h. I amt exactly broke, Glib. !
ta eighty-fve dollars"
Then" quoth Gibney declsively.
veil 60 on strike tonight. Scraggsy'll
stuck In port week before he can
r another engineer an another nnvi-
ntn' officer. me an you be.n' the
Ny two natural-born fools In San
!nhclsco an ports adjacent, an be-
@e three days have passed he'll be
iuntn' us up to compromise"
don't want no compromise. What
want is a new boiler"
You'll git 1t. Wen make him order
e paint an the boiler nm pay for
oth In advance before we'll agree to
% back to work"
Inc engineer nodded his approval
.nd after sealing their pact with Il
aeafty handshake. they turned to and
mmenced discliarging the Maggie
snen Captain Scraggs returned to
Ie little steamer shortly after five
suocK, to HIS great amazement, he
slscovered Mr.. Gibney and McGufres
uessed IN their other suits-incIudiue
"aalo'd collars and cuffs.
me cargo's out, Scraggsy, my son
we oecks has been washed down an
e'ythins in my department Is ship.
"ape" Thus Mr.. Gibney.
added.
consequently" Mr.. Glbney con.
.uued' were quittin' the Maggie an
aNs all the sumo to you well have
nr time"
As dear Glib. Why, whatever's
''ule aS. over You two boys?"
STOW your chatter, Scraggs. Shell
Su' the cash. You've fooled us once
ue matter o that new boiler m
ss s pain'!n', an we're not goin' tt
%e you second chance. Come
w.S' wSSaeh--or take the consequences.
fnad." ~ "''" ''"r d"
.,n mems hard words, Mr.. Gibney."
ley oplned ~
~ captain scraegs paused to consIde,
serious predlcament which con
n.nted him. 1t was Saturday night
! .ss. = anew Mr.. McGuffey to be the pos
sof Of more money than usual ant
se could assure himself that this
I'VE should be dissipated before
aoay morning he was aware, from
Ilence, that the strike would be
oy Tuesday at the latest. Ant
Uo'd afford that delay. He re
NY therefore, on diplomacy.
"e'i, I'm sorry" he answered witt
~. appearance Of contrition. "Yo,
got me In the nine-hole an
ue'p myself. At the same time