, 1923-02-12

would know Carew.' explained Little
Billy to Martin. II is the best and
least ~favorably known blackleg be.
tween the two poles. lie Is an Eng.
lishman-the cast-off son of some
noble house, I believe. And he is a
cruel, treacherous, brave. and cum
ming beast! No other words it him.
Add to that a really beautiful body,
a brazen gall. n a well-bred and
suave carriage, and you have Wild
Bob. lie has an apt ~nick-name-
Wild Bob
The man has come through more
wild, disreputable escapades than any
other three men afloat. He has rob.
bed right and left all over the Pacific.
He robbed the captain. here, when the
captain first knew and trusted him.
Two years ago, his schooner the
Ailecn was confIscated for opium.
running. Since that time he has
been employed by the same syndicate
Of Japs who have bought the cap.
tuin's furs."
~ am sure my capture was not the
result Of ~fOrethought." stated Ruth
Il think they concluded I was a spy.
Indeed. Carew's exclamation when
they brought me before him, is con-
vincing proof hat he did not know
whom his men a Iagged. My
word. It is my spitfire. toe, and I am
afraid I said some very u%nladylikc
things to him. I know he meant to
take me to sea with him"
'Carew and his hackers are sure to
have "a fr.v- for hot V,FI1f.r d, -,,I.-
girls on Fire Mountain said Billy.
But he does not know the islands
position. I am sure OF that object.
ed Ruth.
But he does know Boring Sea. al
most as well as l." spoke up Captain
Dabney. "And he knows the par
tiCular corner Of Boring We are bound
or. That ambergris would represent
h profits of a score Of seal-raids-
and besides, there Is you Ruth. draw.
ing him like n lodc-stone. His at
tempt to shanghai you. back there in
Frisco, shows the temper of the
man"
III It has come TO a race, Carew's
schooner has tho heels of US" OBJ
served Lite Billy.
les, ltlC DdNI Is inc better safer,
reluctantly admitted the captain.
II hopo we don't meet him up
north. I am afraid" muttered Ruth.
And now we will have to adjourn
this meeting till another time. Seven
bells went some time ago. I have
just time to get my coffee and relieve
the bosun by midnight"
"But-a second!' exclaimed Little
Billy. Two have not yet assigned our
new brother to his duties. You know,
Blake, there are no drones in the
happy family. Now, I suggest, you
are cmincntly qualified to assist the
h~ard-driven steward"
A hearty laugh from the girl and
the old man checked the h~unchback's
speech.
NO. you are not going to stuff
your job upon poor Mr.. Blake's Shout
ders"' cried Ruth. '"That is-unlcss
he wishes to become a steward"
a want to be n sailor" Martin as
serted cmphatlcally.
"VVel1. we'll assign you to a watch"
said tho captain. "Of course, you Will
live aft. Keep your present berth
with Billy. You a better Join the
bLAlb Oh4u "dlCIr 1 Ll4lllhs ne bOhull
is a great hand to break in a green.
horn"
But Martin was watching Ruth.
There was, he dared to think. n wei.
come twinkle, n meaning message. in
the sidewiso glance she shot at him.
I would rather be IN tho mates
watch" he said.
The captain grinned. Little Billy
chuckIed and muttered something
about a sheep to the slaughter" and
tho mate rewarded him with a flash
OF white teeth.
"I'I he glad TO have you in my
watch" she said. "But remember
Il Is all work and no play! l keep
strict discipline In my watch
Concurrent with his education in
seamanship. progressed Martins in.
struction IL the subtle and ~dlsqulct.