The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-10-29

Peter Blood caught himself staring
in "A sort of RmaEement az this
piquant face. which seemed here 10
out or place. and finding his stare re-
turned. ho shifted uncomforiabiy. lilo
grew conscious OF the sorry figure
thar ne cut. unweshsd. with rank
and matted hair and diafiguring
black beard upon his face. and the
orStwhlle hplcndid suit OF black cam
let tn which no had been taken pfis
oner now reduced 90 RAGS that would
have dlsgnced a soarocrow, he was
in no case for inspection by such
dainty eyes ~ these, Nevertheless,
they continued 90 inspect him with
round eyed, almost chlldllko wonder
and pity. Their owner put forth
hand 20 touch tho scarlet sleeve OF
her companion. wheoupon with an
grunt the man swung his
great bulk round 10 that no directly
confronted her,
Looking up into his face, she was
speaking 10 him earnestly, but the
colonel plainly gave her no moro than
tho half Of his attention His little
heady eyes. closely nsnking a neshly.
neadulous nose. had passed from her
and were sfiNed upon fairhalred,
sturdy young Pitt. who was standing
beside blood.
Tho governor had also como 10 a
halt. and for n moment now that IT.
tie group ~ three stood IN converse.
ton. What tho lady said. Peter could
not hear NJ all, for she lowered her
voice. tho oolonal's reached him In a
confused rumble. but tho governor
was neither considerato nor indls'
tinct; he had hlghpltched voice
which carried far. and believing him
self witty, no desired 20 DO heard By
all
But. my dear Colonel Bishop. Il Il
for YOU 10 take first choice from this
dainty nosegRy. and NJ your own
price. After that We'll send tho rest
10 auction"
Colonel Bishop nodded his acknowi.
edgment. Ho raised his voice IN
answering. "Your exeellsney Is very
good. but. faith. they're a woedy lot.
not likely 90 DO OF much value IN tho
plantation" His bchdy eyes scanned
them again. and his contempt Of
them dcepened the maicyolcncc OF his
face. II was as IL he were annoyed
with them Tor being IN no better con.
dillon. Then he beckoned forward
Captani Gardner. the master OF the
jamaica Merchant. and for some min,
utes stood In talk with him over a list
which tho latter produced AZ his re
quest.
Presently he waved aside the iisi
and advanced alone towards the rcb
els-eonvic,, his eyes considering them.
his lips pursed Before the young
somersetshire shipmas,er he came 10
\ halt. and stood an instant ponder.
ing him. Then he fingered the MUS
cles % the young mans arm. and
babe him open his mouth that he
might sec his teeth lie purucd his
coarse lips again and nodded.
lie spoke TO Gardner over his
shoulder.
Fifteen pounds for this one"
The captain made a face o. dlsmay
Fifteen pounds II isn't half what
meant TO ask for him"
IL Is double what had meant 10
give" Erinted tho coolnt.
But he would be cheap NJ 50
pounds. your honor"
II can get a negro for that. These
white swine don't live. They're not
~ for labor"
Gardner broke into protesteiiona Of
Pitts health. youth and viEor. II
was not man he was discussing; Il
was n beast OF burden. Pitt. a scnsi.
tive lad. stood mute and unmovlnK.
Only tho ebb and fiow Of color IN his
cheeks showed tho inward struggle
BY which he maintained his SELF con.
troll.
Peter Blood was naussa,sd by the
ioathsomc hasgie
In The background. moving slowly
down the line Of prisoners. went the
lady in conversation with the govern.
or. who smirked and preened himself
as he limped beside her. She was un.
conscious Of the Earthly business the
colonel Was transaciing. Was abe,
wondered Blood. Indifferent 20 81
Colonel Bishop swung ON his heel
70 pass on.
I'm so as far M 20 pounds. Not
penny moro. and It's twice AZ much
rs you arc like 10 get from Crab.
ston."
Captain Gardner. recognizing the
finaiity OF the tone. sighed and Yield.
ed. Already Bishop was moving
down tho liue. For Mr.. Blood. as for
weedy youth on his Jeff. tho colonel
had no more than a glance OF con.
tempt. hut the next man. a middle.
aged Colossus named wolyeratone.
who had lost nm eye AT sedkemoor,
drew his regard. and tho haggiing
was recommended.
Peter Blood stood there In the bril-.
liant sunshine and inhaled tho frag.
rant air. which WINS unlike any mir
that he had ever brcathsd. II was
laden with a strange perfume. blend
Of logwood flower, pimento and arc.
matte cedars. He lost himself In un.
profitable speculatlons born OF that
singular fragrance. lie was in no
mood for conversation. nor WINS Pitt.
who stood dumbly Mt his side. and
who was afflicted mainly nj tho mo.
ment by the thought that no was nj
last about to be separated from this
man with whom he had stood shoul.
der 20 shoulder turnout all these
troublous months. and whom no had
come to love and depend upon for
guidance and sustenanoe. A sense OF
loneliness and misery pervaded him
by contrast with which all that he
had endured seemed as nothing. To
Pitt. this separation was tho poignant
climax Of all his suffcrings.
| Oher buyers came and stared Of
them, and passed on. Blood did not
heed them. And then at the end OF
the line there was a movement. Gard.
ner was speaking in n loud voice,
making an announcement TO the gen.