The spectator., 1922-02-03

said. Peggy, you had better go in to | your father. I'll be in there in a min ute. He's a pretty sick man." he added.
 His snarl had changed to smile and he seemed to have swiftly con. trolled himself. The girl looked at both of them and slowly went into the l captains room. Carlsen wheeled on Rainey. his face once more mask of hate.
 ''Tll put you where you belong, you | d-d interloper," he said What in h-l do you mean by asking her that question:
 That's my business"
 "rll make it mine And I'll settle yours very shortly, once and for all. suppose you're soft on the girl your self" he sneered. Think yourself a hero. Do you think she'd look at you q beggarly newsmonger? Why. she-'
 You can leave her out of it," said Rainey, quietly. "As for you, think you're q dirty blackguard."
 Carlsen's hand shot back to his hip pocket as Rainey'S fist flashed through the opening and caught him high on the jaw sending him staggering back. crashing against the partition and down into the cushioned seat that ran around the place.
 But his gun was out. AS he raised 1t Rainey grappled with him. Carlsen | pulled trigger, and the bullet smashed rrh e-l- iuh hpr 1,rhi Ia Rainey forced up his arm, twisting 1t fiercely with both hands until the gun fell on the seat.
 Simultaneously the girl and Lund appeared.
 "Gun-play?" rumbed the giant. 'Thatll be you, Carlsen, You're too fond of shooting off that sat of yores,"
 Rainey had stepped back at the girls exclamation. Carlsen recovered his gun and put it away, while Peggy Simms advanced with blazing eyes.
 You coward" she said. If had thought-oh :"
 She made gesture of utter loath- ing, at which Carlsen sncered.
 I'll show you whether I'm cow ard or not, my lady" he said, before l get through with all of you. And I'll tell you one thing: The captains life Is in my hands. And he and l are the only navigatOrS aboard this vessel except fool of a blind man." he add ed, as he strode to the door of Simn1s cabin. turned to look at them, laughed deliberately in their faces and shut the door on them.
 "Well?" asked Lund, what are you goin' to do about it, Rainey? Stick with me, or line up with the rest of em, work yore passage, an thank 'em for nothing when they divvy the stuff an leave you out?'
 You haven't said outright what you are going to do yourself" replied Rainey. "As for me, l seem to be be- tween the devil and the deep sea. Carl sen has got some plan to outwlt the men. It's inconceivable that he'll be willing to give them equal shares. And he has no use for me"
 "You ought 10 have grabbed that gun of his before he did" said Lund. Hell put you out of the way if he can, bat, now his temrer's billed over bit he'll not shoot you. Not afore the gold's in the hold
 As for me-" he went on, his voice deepening, "i found this gold an they didn't. don't have to diyvy with em. an won't. If enny of 'em thinks he's my equal all he's got to do is say so. an I'll give him a chance to prove it. Feel those arms, matey, size me up. Man to man, l c'ud break cnny three of 'em in half. Put me in a room with enny three of 'em, an the door locked, an one 'ud come out. That 'ud be me"
 This was not bragging, not buster ing, but calm assurance, and Rainey felt that Lund merely stated what he believed to be facts. And Rainey be- lieved they were facts. There was confident strength of spirit aside from his physical condition that emanated from Lund as steam comes from ket- tie. It was the sort of strength that lies In a steady gale, a wind that one can lean against. an elastic power with big reserves of force. But the conditions were all against Lund though he proceeded to put them aside.
 Man to man." he repeated "I c'ud beat 'em into Hamburg steak. An I've got brains enough to fool Carlsen. I've l outguessed him so far
 Hes got the gun" warned Ralney Never mind his gun. I nin't afraid of his gun He nodded with such SUI | preme confidence that Rainey felt himself suddenly relegating the doc tors possession of the gun to the | background. If his guns the only thing uubblin' you. forget it. You an me got to know where we stand. It's up to you. won't blame you for | shiftin' over. An I can git along with. | out you. if need he. But we've got along together fine: I've took a notior to you. I'd like to see you get n whack of that gold an all the devils in h-l