The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1925-03-20
CHAPTER MI
\ Knife In the DARK

" ftbitt tttN tft-A n
nNE mans turbulent passions
" shattering the peace ot 90 hu-
man beings. II the men thought
they had been worked up before.
they soon felt that all that had gone
by had been nothing but q pleasure
cruise.
There amt no call to bullydam
us like this. Mister stevens. INT III.
tie Joe Bunting told him one blazing
forenoon when Madagascar doomed
blue thru the shimmcring haze. Joe
had just finished a boy 5 job, far
nioft. sitlshing down the mainsky.
sail pole and royal mast. II was
near noon. and Joe had gone
straight from the wheel at 10 o'clock
20 the slushing Job. without the five
minutes smoke which was the re-
iieved helmsman's immernoriaN priv
ileee. lie knew that eight bells
would strike before he got halfway
mp 10 his next Job OF slushing down
the fore.
"Are you giving me slack"
snarled Stevens. Are you giving
mo back chat. you useless lump o
lard?"
Don't call me out o. mo name.
SIR returned Joe. fearlessly. Il
amt givin' yer no slack. It's nigh
eight
"I1l show youe' gritted Jake, and
knocked fat little roly.poly Joe head.
long with cruelty unexpected
punch on the ear. Joe scrambled
10 his feet. blood trickling from his
ear. his twtnkling eyes cold and
STARRY. Drake was taking a noon
sight on the poop, with Mr. Twin.
ing taking another for a check from
the monkey bridge. Drake hap
pened to remove his sextant from MS
eye for rest, the sun stu being
short Of meridian, and saw Joe con-
front Stevens. There was something
about the happy little seaman that
warned Drake all was not well. He
laid down his sextant, and walked
forward along the monkey bridge.
mister Stevens, you IL me-
wf,eezed Joe simply. I'm liable
seaman, sir. and ] give yer no lip.
I dol't hallow no man to IL me for
nothink. 1t me again. sir. please.
I'll pay yer ant for two in ono, Come
on, nah. You started I"
"T'I talk ter you afterwards, me
sonF' said Joe grimly. waiting for
the mate TO take up his challenge.
Jake grinned like a snarling dog,
leaning forward In a crouch, his
great hands clenching and unclench-
ing until tho bones cracked. Slowly
he reached out until the clawlike
fingers Of his left hand weEe almost
at Joe's neck; MS right fist drew
back 10 strike. Joe watched the APP
preaching claw out OF a corner OF
one eye; but he eyinced no fear.
Father he looked as IL he welcomed
Tho chance 70 take n good solid wal.
Top at that terrifying face. He hoped
The mate would not be too long get
ting started. It was almost eight
bells.
"Tha win do. Mr.. Stevens! You
NAV go aft, You. Bunting, get
for'ard at oncer' said a clear. level
voice, and Drake leaped from the
monkey bridge to the fore hatch, and
thence to tho deck between the bel
iIgerents.
Hes q mutinous dog" snarled
stevens. Tic wants taking"
"That will do. / want no taking
aone Mr. stevens. Go afr retorted
Drake. Tho mate turned aft mutter-
Ing. s,rhe seamen dispersed, stu NUT
tcring their grievance, for they felt
they had been robbed OF q piece Of
sport.
on the night following the trouble
with Joe Bunting. Mary was rest
less. could not steep. She slipped Q
warm robe about her 20 stand off
the heavy tropic dew, and went on
deck. She did not 80 outside the
open companionway. but stood there
IN the shadow. gazing out across the
goftly heaying sea which lay like Il
gem smothcrcd carpet Of purple
satin under the glttering heavens.
stevens was on watch His big, pow.
crful figure paced fore and aft on
feet light as a girls, head sunk be.
tween his shoulders, except ut each
Turn when he rulsed his eyes tn