The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-08-21


Undoubtedly the ship was under
way. Bunker had recognized that fact
from the first.
You see." went on the steward,
we're In control. The chief engineer
is locked up and the second engineer
u with US. You haven't friend on
board"
ITS mutiny. Is itf" Captain Bunk
er's voice had become cold and deadly.
The rage that had gripped him seemed
to be passing.
"Oh. no, captain. Nothing SO crude
as mutiny." answered Price reproach-
fully. This is piracy-Twentieth
century piracy, polite, courteous and
thoughtful. 1t was all planned out
before we left New York, and so far
1t has worked out beautifully"
Beautifully What do you expect
to gainf"
"A good many million dollars, cap.
tain. We're on to get them now.
Your friends ashore precipitated our
action little by trying to signal you.
But 1t was only question Of few
minutes longer, at most. We're bound
for the landing place on this island
the right one. you understand Wen
be there in ten minutes, and before
we get there / want you to surrender
my map"
Your mapT
Yes! You've got 1t. Of course. It
isn't really important"-in spite Of
himself the ex-steward's voice qua
vsred-"but I'd like to have 1t. Ny
whole scheme has worked out 70 pret-
hiy that hate to slip up even on a
minor detail. I'm proud of the thing,
you see. It's my first job at sea. I'm
a landsman. you know. Banks are my
speciality"
Ah" Captain Bunker glanced at
his safe. THAT explains how you got
Into 1t so easily"
Price seemed perplexed ~ don't
know what you meanr' he said. But
1t doesn't matter. What want is my
mapI"
What mapT
MY map of the island-that one
you stole from me-" Prices voice
hardened. "Give 1t up and I'll land
you with the other guys. sent plenty
of grub ashore with them this morn
ing-enough to last a month"; and
you're sure to be taken off long before
It's all gone. Refuse and-well, I'm
apt to turn unpleasant" Price did not
raise his voice, but he tapped the re-
volver in his belt
Captain Bunker recognized the tone
and realized what 1t meant Neverthe-
less he shrugged his shoulders.
Price," he said, quietly enough,
you're an Internal scoundrel. No
doubt you're clever one, and know
your way about on land but you're
up against new game now. The sea
VIII beat you. No amateur can buck It.
If you go on, you'll be hanged. as sure
as you're alive. Return to your duty
and"
MY map, please Quick! We're
stopping"
The propeller had ceased to revolve
and the sullen plunge from for
ward told that the anchor had been
dropped. Captain Bunker listened /;
then he shrugged his shoulders. II
haven't any map Of yours" he said.
II haven't any map of the island at
all except that on the ships chart. I
haven't seen any except the one that
Mrs. Archman took ashore with her"
Il don't want that one. I want my
| own; you understand, my own"
Prices tones were vicious.
II. haven't got 1t, and wouldn't
give 1t to you If had. You wouldn't
keep faith with me. You couldn't
keep faith. 1t would be suicide for
you to keep faith. Your pals know
this, if you don't. I'll hold no truck
with you. And, by Cd! I'll see you
hanged for this. There now, 60 ahead
and shoot me If you like, and be done
with 1t. But I'll advise you to load
your gun first. If that's my pistol,
and I guess It is, it's out Of order--or
you wouldn't be here"
Price grinned. "Oh, no; it's not out
of order. II was the cartridges that
were wrong. took yours out yester-
day and put in some others that didn't
have any powder In them. But I've
make me prove It,"
The door opened and a man popped
in. '"There's girl just come aboard
cap'n," he cried excitedly. "She says
she's the owners daughter and wants
to see Captain Bunker"
Prices eyes widened. "The devil
she does! How'd she come here?" he
demanded.
"ln rowboat. BY herself"
did Won see where she left tht
landT Prices tones were anxious.
"Sure! Just where you said we't
find"
"Goodl" Price slapped his knet
jubilantly. Don't 1t beat hip hs
questioned. THE Lord sure does hell
those that help themselves. She'll b'
Miss Nellie. OF course. Show her in
Jim! Show her in. She's fine girl
captain"
Bunker tried to struggle to his feet