The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-05-09
(Continued from last issue)

ueCllOLlS Uu Tie udupcElu VI Gil III
Kandavu, however, We'll turn our at
tentlon to the prime object Of the ex-
petition. We've had our little fun and
it's high time we got down to business.
1t will be low tide at nine o'clock, 50
I suggest. Scraggs, that you order the
mate and two seamen out in the big
whaleboat, together with the divin' ap-
paratus, and We'll go after pearl oys-
tiers and black coral. AS for you, Mac,
suppose you take the other boat and
Tabu-Tabu and the king, and help the
mate. Take rifle along with you,
and make them captives dive for pearl
oysters until they're black in the
face"
"Huh!' muttered the singleminded
McGuffey. "What are they now? Sky
blue?"
"Of course" continued the commo-
dore, IF tiger shark happens along
and picks the niggers up, it amt none
of our business. AS for me and
Scraggsy, we'll sit on deck and smoke.
My head aches and I guess Scraggsy's
in a similar fix"
"Anythin' to be Agreeable" acQui-
esced McGuffey.
After breakfast Commodore Gibney
ordered that the prisoners be brought
before him. The cook served them
with breakfast, and as they ate, the
commodore reminded them that it was
only through his personal efforts and
his natural Discrimination to return
blow for blow that they were at that
moment enjoying a square meal in
stead Of swinging in the rigging.
I'm goin' to give you two yeggs a
chance to REFORM" concluded Mr.. Glib
ney, addressing Tabu-Tabu. III you
show us where we can get n cargo of
black coral and work hard and faith
full helpin' us to get it aboard. it may
help you to comb few gray hairs. I'm
goin' to take the irons Off now, but re-
member! At the first sign Of the
double-cross you're both shark meat. "
On behalf of himself and the king,
Tabu-Tabu promised to behave, and
McGuffey kicked them both into the
small boat. The mate and two sea-
men followed in another boat, in which
the air-pump and diving apparatus
was carried, and Tnbu-Tabu piloted
them to a patch Of still water just in
side the reef. The water was so clear
that McGuf1'ey was enabled to make
out vast marine gardens :hck|y
sprinkled with the precious black
coral.
"Over you 20, you two smokes"
rasped McGuffey, menacing the cap
tives with his rifle. olive deep, my
hearties, and bring up what you can
takes nip. out of your hind leg. don't
expect no help from r. McGuffey.
Esquire-because you won't get any"
For nearly two weeks the Maggie II
lay Mt anchor, while her crew labored
daily in the gardens Of the deep Vast
quantities Of pearl oysters were
brought to the surface, and these Mr.
Gibncy stewed personally in great
iron pot on the beach. II" shell was
stored away in the hold and the pearls
went into chamois pouch which never
for an instant was out of the comma
dore's possession. The coast Mt that
point being now deserted. frequent
visits ashore were made, and the crew
toasted on young pig. chicken. vans
and other delicacies. Captain Scraggs
was almost delirious with Joy. He an
nounced that he had not been so happy
since Mrs. Scraggs Skipped her cable"
At the end Of two weeks Mr.. Gibney
decided that there was loot" enough
ashore to complete the schooner's
cargo, and at meeting Of the syndi-
cate held one lovely moonlight night
on deck he announced his plans to
Captain Scraggs and McGuffey.
Better leave the island alone"
counseled McGuffey. "Them niggers
may be a-layin' thWe ten thousand
strong, waitin' for a boats crew to
come prowlin' up into the bush so they
can nab EN-"
1--WE thought of that, Mac" said the
commodore trine coldly, land If
made sucker Of myself once 1t don't
stand to reason that I'm apt to do it
again. Remember, Mac, burnt child
breads the fire. Tomorrow morning,
right after breakfast. We'll turn the
guns loose and pepper the bush for a
mile or two in every direction. II
there's native within range he'll have
business in the next county and we
won't be disturbed none."
Mr.. Gibney's program was duly put
through and the capital Of Kandavu
looted of the trade accumulations Of
years. And when the matches were
finally battened down, the tanks re-
filled with fresh water, and everything
in readiness to leave Kandavu for the
run to Honolulu, Mr.. Gibney announced
to the syndicate that the profits of the
expedition would figure close up to a
hundred thousand dollars. Captain
ScraGgs xasped and fell Imply against