The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-04-19
(Continued from last issue)

alley. Good old Mac. At-a-boy!"
you're on. McGuffey. Nobody ever
had to beg me to fight him. Dan
Hicks replied cordially, and climbed
to the deck. TO his great surprise,
Mr.. McGuffey winked at him and drew
him off to the stern Of the Maggie.
"There'll be no fight" he declared,
"although We'll thud around on deck
an yell a couple O. times to make
Scraggs think we're goin' to it. He
figgers that by the time I've fought
you an Flaherty won't be fit for
combat with him, even If I lick You
both; he's got it all fggered out that
I'll wait couple o days before
tacklin' him. an he thinks my tenn
peril cool by that time an he can
argy me out O. my revenge. Savey?'
II twig."
Mr.. Gibney had returned to the
Maggie by this time and he now took
his station at the englne-room hatch
and growled Mt Flaherty and abused
him. keep UP your courage
Scraggsy," he called as Hicks and Nc
Guffey pranced around the deck in
simulated combat "Macs whalin' the
whey out O. Hicks an Hicks couldn't
touch him with buggy whip"
At the conclusion of the three min
utes Of horse play. Mr.. McGuffey came
to the hatch again. "Up with you,
Tlaherty," he called loud enough for
Captain Scraggs to hear, "up with you
before 30 down. after YOU"
Flabcrty was about to possess him
self of hatchct when the face Of his
confrere, Dan Hicks, appeared over
McGuffey's shoulder and grinned
knowingly at him. Immediately, Fla
herty hurled defiance at his enemies
and came up ON deck, and once more
to Captain ScraggS came the dull
sounds Of apparent conflict overhead.
Suddenly n cheer broke from Mr..
Gtbney. "All off an gone to Cooper
town, Scraggsy," he shouted. "Come
up an take Il look at the fallen"
Out Of the shaft alley came Scraggs
with rush, tossing his wrench aside
half way up when Mr.. Gibney reached
down a great hand. grasped him by
the collar, and whisked him out on
deck with single jerk. Here, to his
horror, he found himself confronted
by n singularly scathlesS trio who
grinned triumphantly at him.
"Seein' Is bellevin', Scraggs," Dan
Hicks informed him. "'That's a lesson
you taught me an FIaherty last night,
but evidently you don't profit by ex-
rerience. You're too miserable to
beat up, but just to show you 1t amt
possible for a dirty bay pirate like
YOU to skin the likes o me an Fla
herty we purpose hangln' the seat o
your pants up around your cont col
lar. Face him about Gibney."
With quick twist, Mr.. Gibney pre-
sentcd Captain Scraggs for his pen
ance; Flaherty and McGuffey followed
Dan Hicks promptly and Captain
Scraggs screamed ut every kick. And
now came Mr.. Gibney's turn. "For
failin' to stand up like man,
Scraggsy, an battle Hicks an Fla
hertv." he Informed the culprit, and
tossed him over to McGuffey to be
held in position for him. ~
Don't, Glib. Please don't" Scraggs
walled. 1T amt comm to me from
you. T never heard you calm $a-tall
Honest, never, Glib. Have mercy.
Adclbert Yo1 saved the Maggie last
night an "a oquGrter interest in her Is
yours-if you don't kick mel"
Mr.. Gibney paused. foot in midair:
surveyed the Maggie from stem to
stern, hesitated, licked his lower lip.
and glanced at the common enemy.
For an instant it came into his mind
to call upon the valiant and able Nc
Guffey to support him in a fierce cOun-
ter-attack upon Hicks and Flaherty.
Only for an instant, however: then
his sense Of fnir play conquered.
mo, Scraggsy." he replied sadly.
"She amt worth it. an your duplicity
can't be overlooked. If there's any
thing l hate it's duplicity.. Here goes,