The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-04-22

ScraggS snapped. HatSoHsen' AouA
down that SIGNAL halyard from the miz'
zenmast, take one end Of it in your
teeth, an swim back to the Maggie
with it. Well fasten heavier line
to the cable an haul the cable aboard
with the MNggie's WINCH"
"You say that so nice, Scraggsy. old
hopeful, I'm tempted to think you can
whistle it. Neils, he's only askin' you
to risk your life overheard for nothing.
faint in the shippin' articles that
seaman's got 10 do that. If he wants
q swimmin' exhibition make him pay
for it-through the nose. An If l
was YOU. I'd find out how much o this
two thousand dollars towage he's goin'
to distribute to his crew. Pers'nlly
I'd get mine in advance"
"Adelbert 2. Gibney," Captain
Scraggs Missed. "Theres such 4 thing
as drivin' man to distraction. Hal
yorsen, are you with rneT'
aye bane-for saxty dollars. Hay
bane worth months pay for take
dat SWIM"
'You dirty Scowegian migrate. Well,
YOU don't get no sixty dollars from me.
Bear hand and we'll drop the ships
work boat overheard. Iguess you can
tow a signal halyard to the Maggie,
can't you, Neils?"
Nells conld-and did. Within fifteen
minutes the Maggie was fast to her
prize. "Now We'll cockbill the an
Choir" quoth Captain Scraggs, so Nc
Guffey reporting sufficient steam in the
donkey to turn over the wlndlass, the
anchor was raised and cockbilied, and
the Maggie hauled away on the hawser
the instant Captain Scraggs signaled
his new navigating officer that the
hook was free of the bottom.
"The old girl don't seem to be max
in Roadway in the right direction" Nc
Guffey remarked plaintively, after the
Maggie had strained Mt the hawser for
five minutes. Mr.. Gibney, standing
by with a hammer in his hand, nodded
afiirmatively, while the skipper of the
Chesapeake, whom Mr.. Gibney had had
the thought to carry out on deck
to watch the operation, glanced appre.
.hensively ashore. SGaggs measured
the distance with his eye to the near
est fringe of surf and it was plain that
he was worried.
"Captain Scraggs," the skipper OF
the Chesapeake called feebly. mt.
Gibney is right. That craft Of yours
is unable to tow my ship against this
inch. and 1t will be only matter of
an hour or two. If you hang on to me.
before I'll be in the breakers and Il
total loss. You'll have to get sail on
her or let. 60 the anchor until q tug
arrives"
II don't know a thing about sailih'
ship" Scraggs quavered.
II know it ALL" Mr.. Gibuey cut In,
"but there amt money enough in the
world to induce me to exercise that
knowledge to your profit" He turned
to the master of the Chesapeake. "For
one hundred dollars each, McGuffey
an will sail her In for you. sir"
''Ill not take the risk, Mr.. Gibney.
! Captain Scraggs, IL you will follow my
instructions Wen get some sail on the
Chesapeake. Take those lines through
the leading blocks to the WINCH"
The engineer Of the Maggie came up
on deck and waved his arms wildly.
"Leggo," he bawled. 1--WE blown out
two tubes. It'll be all can do to get
home without that tow"
"Jump on that, Scraggsy," quoth Nc
Guffey softly and cast his silken en-
gineer's cap on the deck Mt Scraggs'
feet. The latter's face was ashen as
he turned to the skipper of the Chcsa.
peake. I'm through" he gulped. "I'll
have to cast off. Your ships drivin'
on the beach now"
"Oh. say not so. Scraggsy," said
Mr.. Gibney softly. and with blow
Of the hammer knocked out the stop.
per on the windlass and let the anchor
80 down by the run. "Not this voy-
age, at least" The Chesapeake
rounded with a Jerk and Mr.. Gibney
took Captain Scraggs gently by the
arm. Unto the small boat. old ruin, ;"
he whispered. land I'll row you an
The Squarehead back to the Maggie.
II she drifts ashore with that load
o. garden truck. you might rs we'll
drown yourself" 49,,
| Captain Scraggs was beyond words.
He suffered himself to be taken back
to the Maggie. after which kindly
action Mr.. Gibney returned to the
Chesapeake, climbed aboard. and with
the assistance Of McGufrey, hauled
the work boat up on the deck.
"Now," Mr.. Gibney inquired. ap-
preaching the skipper Of the Chesa-
peake, 'what'll YOU give me an Mac,
sir, to sail you tn?' 49, ,-.<. .
"One thousand dollars" the skipper
answered weakly. -.,... ...
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