Arizona state miner., 1926-06-05
CHAPTER XIII-Continued

second fiddle long enough, and here's
a chance as isn't likely to come again"
There was a second brief interval
OF silence.
Nobody contrary" announced the
one-legged man cheerfully. Councils
overI Keep quiet, mates. No drinkin',
no fightin' There'l be plenty O. both
later"
The squatting ranks broke up into
groups, and e number of men strolled
for'ard toward my hiding-place. But
I did not await them. From the shell
ter of the chase-gun 1 hunched myself
back behind q water caSk, and so re-
gained the bows, slipped oversize and
, slid down the anchor-cable to the
water.
A huge white shape floated up to
me.
'Is dot you, BobT
eyes. They're for attacking the
James when the tide turns"
He headed downstream without a
word. We were halfway to the
James before he spoke.
dot Murray, he is a lucky feller.
Always gets what he wants"
what does he wantT 1 painted.
''Now he gets rid of Flint andt der
Walrus crew, ja.''
"But he'll lose their half Of the
treasure if"
Maybe; maybe he don't. Andt
after dot he gets rid Of der James"
you're. crazy, Peter" I said indig-
nantly, trying my best to keep pace
with him. He'd be stranded here"
"Oh, he don't do dot here-maybe
he don't do dot at all; maybe der tdefil
stops helping him, ia. But if he gets
der chance, you watch him, Bob. He
gets rid Of der James, and maybe he
gets rid of US, ja."
"Well, why do we help him, then?'
] snapped, recalling my great-uncle's
parting gibe.
"DOt's where he is smart, Bob. He
makes it so we got to help him to safe
our own skins, ia. Andt der little gal,
TOO. For him and der Irisher dot
drinks like Lenape squaw amt got
no use. But you andt der little gal
dots different"
"Do you mean he intends to sacri-
flee all of us? And carry away the
whole treasure for himself?"
81 don't know, Bob. Murray, he is
a funny feller. Very funny! He likes
der little gal. Maybe he likes me
don't know. Andt he is honest about
dot oldt king dot lifs in Rome But
If any of US come in his way, he would
push US aside. Dots him now!"
The stern of the Royal James rose
before us, and in one of the open win
dow's my great-uncle's fine white head
showed like faded picture in a frame
seen across d darkened room.
"Once before he planned too big"
Peter whispered on. maybe this time
Gott speaks loud to der tdefl andt
stops him."
My great-uncle's voice Hoated down,
quietly distinct.
"They are gone overlong Gadzooks,
chevalier, if they do not shortly re-
turn I'll ship my cable and take ad-
vantage Of what remains of the flood
to come at the Walrns and finish mat
ters off-hand."
"ODonnells reply was simply a
querulous echo fIa0m the interior of
the cabin.
'"That sounds as though he had some
use for u.s." ! murmured to Peter.
noiselessly treaGlng water beside me.
"Ja, Use he has for us. Maybe
he needs U3 when he gets rid of der
James, eh? If der tdefil fails him.
he can have use for honest men, Bob"
Wen soon know" 1 retorted, and
twitSf;ed the rope which dangled by
she rudder-post.
"Who is thereY" challenged my
great-uncle, instantly alert.
Robert" 1 whispered back, and
commenced to climb.
Both Murray and O'Donnell-the
latter for the time being stirred out
mf his habitual gloom assisted me
over the window-sill, and it affected
me oddly to note my great-uncle's IS
unconcern for the water 1 dripped on
his silken coat.
"You ha' suffered no hurt?" he
asked eagerly.
"No, no." 1 answered. MAKE haste
to help Peter up. They are coming
against us with the making of the
ebb."
He was betw1xt me and the window,
and I could see the faint smile of sat
ssfaction on his face
"'Tis what was to be expected of
them," he remarked. 1--WE must i'm
prove our watch. 'Tis no compliment
TO our people that they failed to sus-
pect aught of your going and coming.
Peter squattered into the cabin like
an enormous toad.
"Oofr' he squeaked. 81 haf bub-
bles under my skin. We haf a fight
tonight, Murray, jar
"Thanks to you and Robert, friend
Peter, twill be rather in the nature
81 q chastisement than a fight he an
Swered urbanely. eff you will pardon
be, gentlemen, will go and complete