The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-09-03
CHAPTER XV-Continued

4
James ladsl Well divide square
with ye."
Men swirled toward US from all
sides of the stockade, the James crew
mingled with the Walrus', and where
our people fought at all twas faint
heartedly and to no purpose. We were
pressed back, and presently were put
to 1t to avoid being surrounded.
eve go to der house, Bob" squeaked
Peter. der James men don't fight
Cor us no more"
He had Murray's limp body slung
over one shoulder and still retained
the iron barrel of his musket-the
stock had been demolished; but he
ran easily beside me through the sand.
We reached the blockhouse alone |
: on the side opposite the door, and |
circled it cautiously, no little con-
cerned for Moiras safety, for pistols
were popping and cutlasses. clashing
sn several directions close at hand.
With the moon obscured We could not
see a musket's length ahead, and as l
turned in toward the black oblong of
the doorway tripped over corpse.
"'Tis on your own head your death
will be, my man." said a cool voice. Il
can hear you fine, and If you're not
after
.'Moira!" / exclaimed.
"And is it you. Bob? oh. blessed
saints, but I'm that glad. thought
you were Is that Peter?"
"Ja,' said Peter.
"And what will We have on your
shoulder? A dead man? Is 1t him
shot few minutes backT
"'Tis Captain Murray" answered.
making way for Peter.
"Oh, Queen of Heaven! Sure, we're
In bad case"
"We are" 1 assented grimly as l
followed Peter inside. Have you a
iight?"
She took a lanthorn from under
cloth, and its scanty rays played hide
apd-seek with the shadows over the
rude log walls and the piles of rum bar
rels and kegs of bareback and the
clumsy stack of treasure.
Peter laid my great-uncle gently
upon the earthen f1oor-there was no
softer bed-and began cutting away
the garments from around the hilt OF
the knife, which was still fixed in his
right side.
'And why didn't you go with them"
asked. She gave me an indignant
look.
'And be leaving the two Of We!
am not that kind of friend, Bob"
Peter looked up from his task.
''You got to watch dot door, Bob.
Andt, MORA, you bring me some rum.
Maybe Murray gets back his sense be-
fore"
1 suddenly found myself unwilling
to believe it could be so.
HE can't Peter!"
ga" replied the Dutchman patient
ly Pretty soon he goes. He bleeds
inside"
l stumbled to the doorway with my
head in a whirl. Murray dying
Twas incredible! That tremendous
personality, so masterful so alopf
dominating all with whom he came In
contact, saltily compounded of wick
edness, greatness, wisdom and naive
vanity And explain 1t how you will
/ suddenly discovered an admiration
for him which had been growing fol
months beneath my surface resent
ment. Up to this momtnt / had de
tested him. But choked now at the
thought of his death. Whatever HI
was, he was no coward. And there
was about his end In this sordid, hap
hazard fashion, stabbed by a blint
man in the dark, redeeming toucl
of high tragedy. He, whose ambition
had vaulted the stars, to perish b.
the hand of Pew! And in a momen
when apparently he had snatched vic
tory from defeat!
Mechanically / carried chests o
gold and silver ingots from the hea
of treasure and built a barricad
across the doorway. But nothing came
Feet shush-shushed In the sand a
around the blockhouse; voices called
questioned and argued; an occasions
shot was fired-no more. Flint
triumph had been too amazingly CON
plete for him to grasp, and evidentl
there were dissensions in the pirate.
ranks as to what the next step shout
be.
The hour-glass we had fetched frol
the Royal James stood by the door, an
remember that 1 turned it twice b.
fore Peter tapped my shoulder.
HE wants you," he said.
Murray lay with his head in MORA
lap. On his face was stamped waz
pallor His nostrils were sunken an
pinched In. A crimson froth Shove
at the corner of his mouth. But h
tawny eyes blazed with the unco
ouerable fire of his spirit. AS stoopt
over him mocking CLEAN radiatt
from their black depths, and lis Ill
moved In almost voiceless speech.
SORRY, eh?" 1 nodded, and Il
mockery became more pronounced.
would have-won you-boy-in
time" MORA wiped the dreadful blu
bles from his lips.
"You-won't-carry- out-plotf
asked
"'Twould be dishonest to promise,
answered. "And doubt If we are III
to live much longer than you." II
fingers of one hand fluttered strange
"Tut, boy-never-lose hope. Win
yet-myself"
His colorless lips parted in ghas,
smile at the shocked disbelief In 7
face.
ssThis-will be-end-of Flint K
mr-kill himself" His fingers fl
tered again, and MORA whispered
"'Twill be his snuffbox he's AFT
wanting, Bob"