Arizona state miner., 1926-04-24
Peter rose.
eve CO." he said. "Ja.'


On deck Murray had the fongbOat
called away, and we embarked in ST.
lence. Twas a hot night, with very
little air stirring, and the ribald up
roar on the Walrus was amazingly
distinct The James was like a tomb
by contrast. Not sound came from
her, and the only lights she showed
were in the waist and the main cabin.
The Walrus was a blaze of lanthornS
from poop to fo'csle, but Murray
hailed the deck twice before he had
an answer.
BOAT ahoy" responded a husky
voice then. "Why'n - don't We
come abOard?"
"'Tis Captain Murray to see Cap
tain Flint" replied my great-uncle
calmly.
AYE, aye sir" answered the husky
voice on a quaver of fear. "Well
call him directly. Win ye come
aboard, sir?"
My great-uncle turned to Peter with
one foot on the side ladder.
'Are you certain you must go with
Roberto he asked. 81 can assure
ga, CO."
My great-uncle's reply was a shrug
of Indifference, and Peter and
climbed after him to the deck. The
Walrus was a revelation after the or
dered discipline Of the Royal James.
In a word she was pig-dirty Her
deck was Uttered with all kinds of
rubbish her rigging was slack and
spliced in a fashion which seemed lub-
berly to me, who was a lubber: her
canvas was torn, poorly patched and
wretchedly furIed; boats, barrels, lum-
Der, spare spars and cables lay about
in entire confusion. The planks we
trod on were slippery with grease
The paint was peeling from the bull
warks. There were spots of rust on
the muzzle of a chase gun, which itself
was hauled out Of it's proper position.
Flint came staggering down to us
from the poop in a condition which
was in harmony with his surround
ingS. Like most of his men, he had
discarded coat, shirt, stockings and
shoes to accommodate himself to the
heat Of tropical summer His loose
canvas trousers, Identical with those
the seamen wore, were streaked with
dirt and tar. His bare calves and
forearmS were covered with dried
blood where they had been scratched
hrQnhl0c N oh
out Of the matted hair on his chest
was thrust the head Of a tiger, most
marvelOusly tatooed in black and yel-
low. His hair was a lank frame for
his saturnine face, stubbly with a
weeks growth Of beard.
"What dye seek, Murray2" he
growled. Come to look us over?"
Il am come to fulfill my contract
with you," replied my great-uncle 81
am sailing with the morning ebb, and
l bring you, not one hostage, but two"
Flint stepped closer and scrutinized
Peter and me.
1.-TWO, eh?" What do I want wi
two?" What goods this fat man to
me? He means nothing to you"
"On the contrary" denied my rela-
tive. Master COrlaer is an old and
valued enemy of mine, Of whom I
have hopes of making in time
friend"
"Well, he's no good to me; gut me
if he is !'
"YOu will take both or none" said
my great-uncle in the voice like a
dripping icicle which he knew so well
how to assume.
NASTY, are ye?" rasped Flint.
"Blast We for "a"
A light in Murray's tawny eyes
kindled like a flame under the reflec-
tion of the battle-lanthorns which
were hung from the lower spars.
1.-TWO it isl Flint ended hastily.
"But yen never see either one O. 'em
if We don't make good on your bar
gain. 1 ha' supported much from ye,
Murray, but"
you'll support more for sufficient
gold,' rebuked my great-uncle. Tut,
man, l read you like book. When
we first encountered you were proud
to be mate Of trading brig. l have
put you in the way to rank and for
tune, if you know how to exploit your
opportunities. Hark vel"
"You said seven hundred thou
sand" snapped Flint.