Williams news., 1922-03-03

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 "ITi Hug You and Your Crew to
 Death"
 Gibney and McGuffey were seated on
 the stern pitts as the Maggie came abreast the Point Montara fog signal station. when MT. Gibney observed 8 long telescope poking out the side win the direction in which the telescope was pointing he made out large bark standing In dangerously close to the beach. Tn fact, the breakers were tum- bling in a long white streak over the reefs less than a quarter of a mile from her.
 In an instant all was excitement aboard the Maggie. That looks like an elegant little pickup. She's plumb deserted" Scraggs shouted to his navi gating officer. "I don't see any distress signals f1yin' an yet she's got an anchor out while her canvas Is hangin' so-so."
 'If she had any hands aboard. you'd think they'd have sense enough to clew up her courses" the mate an swered.
 At this juncture. Mir. Gibney and
 
 riosity, and forgetful Of the fact that they were pirates with very sore feet. came running over the deckload and invaded the pilot house. -"Gimme that glass. you sock-eyed salmon. you." Gib- ney ordered Scraggs. and tore the teie- scope from the owners hands "Hum-m-mi American bark Chesa- peake Starboard anchor out yards braced a-box; royal an to'-gallan's'ls clewed up; courses hangin' in the buntIines an clew garnets. Stars-an'- Stripes upside down."
 He lowered the glass and roared at Nefls HalvOrsen, who was at the wheel. "Starboard your helm. Square head Don't be afraid of her. We're goin' over there an hook on to her. should say she is a pfck-up!"
 Mir. Gibney had abdicated as a. pi- rate and assumed command of the s. S. Maggie, With the memory of scant breakfast upon him. however. | Captain Scraggs was still harsh and | bitter.
 "Git out O my pilot house an aft | where the police can find you when 1 they come lookin' for you," he | screeched. Don't you give no orders to my deckhand."
 "Stow it. you ass. Yonder's prize. but it'll require imagination to win 1t; you need Adelbert P C.bney Tn your business. 1T you're con- templatin' hOokin' on to that bark, snakin' her into San Francisco bay, an ibelin' her for ten thousand dollars salvage. You an Mac an The Square head here have sailed this strip O coast too long together to quarrel over he first good piece O salvage we ever 'un into. Come. Scraggsy. Be decent. forget the past, an let's dig in to- ,ether."
 The new navigating officer drew Captain Scraggs aside and whispered n his ear: Make it up with these Smart AIecks. Scraggs. They got it on IS, but if we can send you an Hai- 7orsen, McGuffey and Gibney over o the bark, you can get some sail on Ter an what with the wind heIpin' IS along, the Maggie can tow her all ight" '
 Mir Gibney saw by the hopeful, even look that leaped to Scraggs yes that the problem was about to be olved without recourse to the Gibney so he resolved to be alert nd not permit himself to be caught ut on the end of a limb. "Well, ,craggsy? p he demanded. 'I guess I need you in my business, lib. You're right an I'm always vrong. It's a fact. I ain't got no nore imagination than a chicken Spoken like a man-I do not think. ;craggs. for once in my life I have ou where the hair is short. I'm villin' to dig in an help out fin inch, but it's gettin' so me an Mac ant trust you no more. We're that aery of you we won't take your word or nothin', since you fooled him on he new boiler an me on the paint; we're off you an this alvage job unless you give us a clear nee. in writin'. statin' that we are ot an never was pirates, that we're ood. law-abidin' citizens an aboard he Maggie as your guests. takfn' the rip at our own risk. When you sign uch a paper, with your crew for wit esses, I'll demonstrate how that. bark an be saIvaged. My fmagination's ettern my reputation, Scraggsy, an ain't workin' it for nothin'!"
 "Gib. my dear boy. You're the most ensitive man I ever sailed with. amt you take little joke?'' -N' dSure -carf take "a little joke. aIt's he big ones that stick in nay craw !