Evening star., 1924-10-24
tContifued from Yesterdays Starr

tContihued from Yesterdays Starr
DR. Whacker ceased. He was pale
and a little out Of breath But his
hard eyes continued to study his i'm
pressive companion.
''Well?'' he said after a pause.
"Nh hat do you say to that g. ...
Yet Blood did not Immediately an
swcr. His mind was heaving in
tumult, and he was striving to calm
it that he might take proper survey
of this thing flung into II to create
so monstrous disturbance. He be-
gan where another might have ended.
Il have no money. And for that a
handsome sum would be necessary"
Did I not say that I desired to be
your friend? .-s
"Why"" asked Peter Blood at point
blank range,
But he never needed: the answer.
Whilst DR.. -Whacker was protesting
that his heart bled for. brother
doctor lanEuisling in, slavery. denied
the opportunity which his gifts en-
titled him TO make for himself, Peter
Blood pounced like r hawk Upon the
obvious truth. Whacker and his col
league desired to be rid of one who
threatened TO ruin them. Sluggish
ness Of decision was never a fault OF
Rlood's. He leapt where another
crawIed hnd so this thought of
evasion never entertained until
planted there now by DIR. Whacker
sprouted into instant growth.
Il see, i see" he said. whilst his
companion was still talking, explain
ing. and to save DR.. Whacker,s face he
played the hypocri.e. 1T is very
noble in you--very brotherly, as be
tween men of medicine. 1t is what !
iSh
case -....-- -
The hard eyes flashed. the husky
voice grew tremulous AS the other
asked almost too eagerly;
You agree, then? You agree?
Agree" Blood laughed. IF I
should be caught and. brought back,
they'd Clip my wings and brand me
for life"
Surely the thing is worth a little
risk?" More tremulous than ever was
the tmpter's voice.
surely" Blood agreed. But 1t
asks more than courage. IT asks
money a sloop might be bought for
90 pounds, perhaps"
1T shall be forthcoming. 1t shall
be a loan. which you shall repay us
repay me. when YOU. can.
That bstraying "us" SO hastily re-
trieved completed Blood's under
=.
in the business.
They were approaching the people d
part of the mole. Quickly. but elo-
Quently, Blood expressed his thanks,
where he knew that no thanks were
due.
we will talk of this again. sir--to-
morrow" he concluded. You have
opened for me tbs gates of hope.
In that at least he uttered no more
than the bare truth. and expressed
1t very badly. 1t was. indeed: as II
a door had been suddenly flung open
to the sunlight for escape from
dark prison in which man had
thought to spend his life.
lie was in haste now to be alone,
to straighten out his agItated NINA
and plan coherently what vas 10 be
done Also he must consult another.
Already he had hit upon that otAer.
For such voyage navigator would
be necessary and a navigator was
ready to his hand in Jeremy Pitt.
The first thing was to take counsel
with the young shipmaster, who must
be associated with him In this bust
ness IL II were to be undertaken. All
that day his mind was in turmoll
with this new hope. and he was SICK
with impatience for night and a
chance to discuss the mater with his
chosen partner AS a--reSult-Blood
was betimes that evening in the
spacious stockade that inclosed the
huts of the stsvts together WIN the
big white house OF -rte overseer.- and
lie found an opportunity of a few
words with Pitt. unobserved by the
others
Tonight when all are asleep, come
to my cabin. l 'hare som thing to
say 10 you. -.
The young man stared At him,
reused by Floods pregnant tone out
of the mental 1ethargy into which he
had of late been lapsiug as result
of the dehumanizing life he lived.
Then he nodded understanding and
assent, and they moved apart.
The six months of plantation life in
Barbados had made an almost tragic
mark upon the young seaman. His
eretwhile bright alertness was all
departed. HIS face was growing
vacuous, his eyes were dull and lack
luster. and he moved in a, er ringing.
furtive manner, like an overbeaten
dog. He had survived the i'll nourish-