Williams news., 1922-05-26

at Captain Scraggs, and Mir. Gibney was suddenly aware that gOose-hesh was breaking out on the backs of his sturdy legs. He had a haunting sen- sstion that not only had he crawled into . hole, but he had pulled the en-
 tire aperture in after him. For the
 first time he began to fear that he
 had been too precipitate. and with the
 thought it occurred to the gallant com modore that he would be much safer back on the decks of the Maggie II. Always crafty and imaginative, how ever, MT. Gibney came quickly to the front with an excuse for getting back to the ship. He stepped quickly to- ward the little group around the out ragged royal ambassador. and inquired the cause of the disturbance. Culver ing with rage, Tabu-Tabu informed him of what had occurred.
 MT. Gibney's rage, of course, knew no bounds. Nevertheless, he did not have to simulate his rage, for he was truly furious. When he could control his emotions, he requested Tabu-Tabu to inform the king that he, Gibney, ac- companied by Captain Scraggs, would forthwith repair to the schooner and then and there Hay the offending Mo Guffey within an inch of his life. Suit ing the action to the word, MT. Gibney called to Captain Scraggs to follow him, and started for the beach.
 As Captain Scraggs arose, a trif1e unsteadily, from his seat, a black hand reached around him from the rear and closed over his mouth. Now, Captain Scraggs was well versed in the rough and-tumble tactics of the San Fran cisco waterfront; hence, when he felt long pair of arms crossing over his neck from the rear, he merely stopped and whirled his opponent over his head. In that instant his mouth was free, and clear above the shouting and the tumult rose his frenzfed shrfek for help. MT. Gibney whirled with the speed and agility of a panther just in time to dodge a blow from war club. His fist collided with the jaw of Tabu- Tabu, and down went that savage as if pole-axed.
 Pandemonium broke loose at once. Captain Scraggs, after his single shriek for help. broke from the circle of saw ages and fled like a frightened rabbit for the beach. One of the natives hurled a rock at him. The missile took Scraggs in the back of the head, and he instantly curled up in a heap.
 "Scraggsy's dead" thought the hor- rified Gibney, and sprang at the king. In that moment 1t came to MT. Gibney to sell out dearly, and if he could dis pose of the king, he felt that Scraggs' death would be avenged. In an instant the commodore's great arms had closed around the king, and with the helpless monarch in his grizzly bear grip MT. Gibney backed up against the nearest bungalow. A fringe of spears threatened him in front. but for the moment he was safe behind, and the kings body protected him. Whenever one of the savages made a jab at MT. Gibney, MT. Gibney gave the king a boa-constrictor squeeze, and the mon arch howled.
 ''Pll squeeze him to death" panted MT. Gibney to Tabu-Tabu when that individual had managed to pick him. self up. "Let me go, or I'll kill your king"
 The answer was an earthenware pot which crashed down. on MT. Gibney's head from window in the bungalow behind him. He sagged forward and fell on his face with the gasping king in his arms.