Cheyenne Wells record., 1922-05-04

after tibet there derellct 1eiore the
revenue cutter gets her an blows her
out O. the path O commerce with
stick o. dynamite"
Forthwith Mr.. GIbney and Neils,
after snatching hasty breakfast, de-
parted for the waterfront, where they
chartered tug for three days and
nut to sea. At about ten o'clock Cap
tain Scraggs and McGuffey strolled
leIsurely down to Jackson street wharf
to inspect the Victor. By noon they
had completed a most satisfactory in
spection of the steamers hull ana
boilers, and bought her In for seven
thousand dollars. Captain Scraggs
| was delighted. He said she was worth
ten thousand. Already he had de-
cided that heavy and profitable
freIghts awaited the syndicate along
the Sacramento river. where the farm
ers and orchardists had been for
years the victims Of monopoly and
a gentlemen's agreement between the
two steamboat lines that piled be-
tween Sacramento, Stockton and San
Francisco.
On the afternoon Of the third day
Mr.. Gibney and Neils Halvorsen re-
turned from sea. They were unutter-
ably weary and hollow-eyed for lack
of sleep.
"well, suppose you two suckers
found that derelict." challenged Nc.
Guffey.
"Yep. Found her an got line
aboard an towed her In, an 1t was
a tough job. She's layin' over on the
Berkeley tide flats, an at lowtide to-
morrow we'll go over an find out
what we've got. Don't even know her
name yet. She's practically sub
merged"
II think you was awful foolish, Glib.
buyln' pig in a poke that way. ]
don't believe in goin' In blind. Me
an Macs bought real ship. We
own the Victor"
"Tm dead on my feet" growled the
commodore, and jumping into bed he
refused to discuss the matter further
and was sound asleep IN n jiffy.
Mr.. Gibney was up bright and early
and aroused the syndicate to action.
The tide would be ot its lowest ebb
Mt nine thirty-one and the commodore
figured that his fortune would be ly-
ing well exposed on the Berkeley tide
flats. He engaged diver and Il small
gasoline launch, and after an early
breakfast in chOphOuse on the En-
barcadero they started for the wreck.
They were within half mile Of 1t.
heading right into the eye Of the wind,
when Captain Scraggs and McGufrey
stood erect In the launch simultaneous
Iy and shifted like pair of-well,
sen dogs.
Dead whale" suggested McGuffey.
II hope 1t amt Gibbs fortune" re-
piled Scraggs drIly.
"Shut up" beloved Mr.. GIbney. He
was smiling himself by this time. for
as the launch swiftly approached the
derelict the unpleasant odor became
more pronounced.
Fletcher that schooner was In COL
lislon with steamer" Captain
Scraggs announced. "She was GU,
down right through the fo'castle with
the watch below sound asleep. an
this here fragrance appeals to me as
n sure sign Of job for the coroner"
Mr.. Gibney's eyes flashed. hut he
made no reply. They had rounded the
schOoner's stern now. and her name
was visible.
Schooner Kadiak, Seattle. read
Scraggs. Little old three stlcker a
thousand years old an cut clear
through Just abaft the foremast. Nc
Guffey, you don't s'pose this here's
pirate craft an just bulgin' with gold"
"Sure." retOrted the engineer with
slow wink, tainted wealth."
Mr.. Gibney could stand their hack
ling no longer. "Looky here. you two."
he bawled out angrily. Il got hunch
picked up lemon, but I'm a-willin'
to tackle the deal with Nells II you
two think I didn't do right by the
syndicate a-runnin' up a bill Of ex-
pense TOWN. this craft into port. l
amt gOin' to stand for no kiddin',
even II we are In a five-hundred- dollar
towage bill. Man is human an bound
to make mistakes"
Don't kid the commodore. Scraggsy.
This aromer o roses Is mOre'n q
strong man can stand, SO cut out the
JOSH"
(ro BE CONTINUED3