The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1925-03-03
CHAPTER VII
.Nnn Dirty Bow

- AI 10 Eatss eNAt3 "ss~-Af"s +++
INl lookout" the skipper said
grimly. "come here. you dudeF
Drake stood before the big blond
man with a curious feeling OF ella.
ton. lie expected 10 hear an in
tertsting opinion Of himself, ex-
pressed in vivid sailorese.
Come here. your' grOwied stew.
ems. aud fastened grip IKE steel
trap on brakes jacket a dress
suit gentleman. arc your Went
stunning and got drunk. heyE
What did you steal that drove
you to my ship. you putty faced
whelpr'
Drake suddenly wrenchcd free,
leaving some buttons in Stevens
grasp, and forgot all considerations
OF discipline and rank In the giori'
Gus thrill OF one solid. snappy punch
that landed flush on the skipper q
square Jaw and set him on his
heels. Surprise had lot to do
with the result. It's effect lasted
but a second. Drake struck again.
straight lefthand jab 10 the mouth
that drew blood. He knew Il drew
blood; he felt the grtnnins lips
burst. But he knew little after
that. A terrible. white, snorting
face came close 10 his own. two
triphaurner fists drove thru the de-
Tense he put up as II he were n
10.year.old boy, and after one agon-
ling moment when he believed his
breastbone was cracked, ho felt
exquisite serenity stealing over him
and relinquished himself TO II
gladly.
II was early in the forenoon
Drake sweat behind the hot stovc
on which dubbed the soup and
beef for the mems dinner. He had
been put on the ships articles as
Boy. Every now and then he car.
RED out bucket Of SCOT and clink.
er TO dump over the lee rail.
He had felt that he was getting
a bit grimy. He hurried 70 finish
the Job. He would have a chance
10 wash before starting on some
bucket of SCOT. an apprentice climbed
down from the standard com.
pass with his tin of brass cleaning
gear. The lad grinned in brakes
face. but before he could utter a
remark the second mate sang out
from the poop:
you Sammy The apprentices
turned aft. his mouth open.
Yes, sir"
Give your brass rags to the
-.boy-Yes, that black fellow. Who
d. ye think? You. Drake. come aft
and get busy on the poop brass
work.
Drake hesitated. He had seen
the fIutter Of white skirt aft. Hc
felt as If he simply dared not obey.
; If he refused to 20 aft. IL would be
insubordlnation. He would probably
be confined in the forepeak.
.Boyg' roared Mr.. Adams. Get
a move on your A grin Of good
natured amusement played at the
second mates eye corners. Drake
suddenly made up his mind TO face
II. and walked aft With his brass
rags and tin OF brickdust and oil
with his head up and his sooty
face turned sauarely upon the
world.
He started with the brass plate
that held the patent log. His back
was toward the two deckchairs that
stood by the saloon skylight. Then
he had to come to tho wheel. 10
polish the big brass boss and the
inset brass rim. Stealing a glance
n the deckchairs, he grew hot at
.the sight Of stevens sn.ering face.
-Mary Manning read book, her
-fair faco rosy red. her blue eyes
aver upon her book. The skipper
ras taking. but she appeared not
10 hear. Her color decpencd as
Drake finished the wheel and went
TO the akylight 10 remove the rods.
And She got up. Stepping into