Williams news., 1922-06-23
, cried McGuffey, simu-

slightly. I s'pose Gib'n tack a sig
 to the stub O the main mast: Slight | ly spoiled codfish for sale. Apply t.
 A. P. Gibney, on the premises. Spe
 cfal rates on Friday"
 MT. Gibney quivered, but made n'
 reply. He carefully examined tha | portion of the derelict above water ant | discovered that by an additional ex
 penditure of about fifty dollars h,
 might recover an equal amount fl
 brass fittings. The Kadiak's house
 was gone and her decks completely l gutted. Nothing remained but the am l 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, MT. Gibney paid off the
 launch man and the diver and ac companied by his associates repaired to a prominent jewellers 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, MT. Gibney spoke for the
 first time when it had not been ab- solutely necessary.
 Put a beggar on horseback an he'll ride 10 the devil" he said. ''When you two swabs was poor you was con- tent to let me lead you into fortune but now that you're well-heeled, you think you're business men. All right ! I ain't got a word to say except this: ,: Before I get through with you two beachcombers I'll have all your money and you'n be a-beggin' me for a job I apologize for soakin' you two with that diseased codfish, an for old sake's sake we won't fight. We're still friends, but business associates no longer, for I'm too big a figger in this syndicate to stand for any criticism. on my handlin' O the joint finances. Hereafter, Scraggsy, old kiddo, you an Mac can go it alone with your sternwheel steamer. Me an The Squarehead legs it together an takes our chances. You don't hear that poor untootered Swede maxim no holler at the way I've handled the syndicate"
 ''But, Gib. my dear boy" chattered Captain Scraggs Twill you just listen to re-"
 "Enoughi Too much is plenty Let's shake hands an part friends. We just can't get along in business together, that's aH."
 "Well, I'm sorry, Gfb.'' mumbled Me Guffey, very much crestfallen. ''but then you hove that dog gone fish at me an'-"
 That was fortune hittin' you a belt in the face, Mac, an you was too to recognize it. Remem- Der that, both of you two Fortune hit you in the face today an you didn't know it."
 "Td ruther die poor, Gib," walled McGuffey.
 The commodore shook hands cor dially and departed, followed by the faithful Neils Halvorsen. The mo- ment the door closed behind them Scraggs turned to the engineer.
 "Mac," he said earnestly, "Gib's up to soInethin'. He's got that imagina- tfon c his workin'. I can tell it every time; he gets foggy look in his eyes. l We made a mistake kiddin' him today. | Gib's a sensitive boy some ways an reckon we hurt his feelin's without l ntendfn' it''
 He thrun a dead codfish at me-" protested McGuffey. 'I love old Glib | ike brother, but that's carryin' things with mighty high hand"
 "WeH, I'll apologize to him. de clared Captain Scraggs and started | for the door to follow MT. Gibney. | barred his way.
 "You apologize without my consent m you gotta buy me out O the Vic or I won't be no engineer with skipper that lacks backbone.'
 "Oh, very well, Mac" Captain Scraggs realized too well the value of McGuffey in the engine room. He lnew he could never be happy with anybody else. ''Weu complete the leal with the Victor, ship a crew, get Town to business, an leave Glib to his .odfish. An let's pay our bill an get utter here. It's too high-toned for expensive"
 For two weeks Captain Scraggs and saw no more of MT. Gibney md Neils Halvorsen. In the mean ime, they had commenced running the Victor regularly up river, soliciting business in opposition to the regular teamboat lines. While the Victor was with light freights and con at loss. the prospect for Ultimate business was very bright and ;craggs and McGuffey were not at all worried about the future.
 Judge at their surprise, therefore, when one morning who should appear 
 ''Mornin'. Gfb," began Scraggs cheer Iy. "I s'pose you been rolled for your money as per usual, an you're around ooExin' for a job as mate"
 MT. Gibney ignored this yelled in- ult. :tNot yet, Scraggsy. I got about F,vT cd ,' fcybf f0 l