, 1926-03-31

L app Ii ihACh.
Altogether these movements con
sumed less time than is required to
describe them; but when | returned
TO the stern windows Peter was gone.
| leaned out and stared back at the
James creaming wake-and a white
arm flashed in n gesture of appeal
twenty feet astern. / cast h lead
behind him. and he caught the line
us II settled into the water, cut the
lead free with the dead mans knife
ut his belt, looped the slack under his
shoulders, and with my feverish help
hauled himself back to the shelf above
the water line.
| lacked the strength TO draw him
up; hut | fastened my end of the
line to the cabin table, which was
bolted to the floor, and then. foot by
foot, Peter toiled upward. He was
so weary at the last hat | must pull
him through the window, and he fell
in n heap across the table, pudding
the polished surface with the sea
water that streamed off him and the
blood from his Scared hands.
A bottle of the aqua vitae my great
uncle favored stood by his place, and
| took this and poured n liberal tot
between Peters lips. He staggered
to his feet, blinking his eyes and red
as "A school miss.
"All right, Bob" he %squeaked. 81
be all right, ia"
His eyes CHANGED upon the lead-line,
still fast TO the tables leg, and he
stopped and u%nknotted 1t and dropped
it out of the window.
eve better not stay here" he NUT
tered. "Neen! If Murray sees us
'Oh, my Gawdl"
Ben Gum goggled at us from the
companiOnway.
Drowned. they be!' he gasped to
himself. He done for 'em, Flint
did"
I was afraid he would run out on
deck and cry an alarm, and l started
for him to prevent this.
BE still. Ben" I said. 1--WE don't
mean to hurt you"
He plucked up a little courage
when I spoke.
"'Taln't right for We to talk" he
objected. 81 never heard tell as how
sperets-"
We're not spirits" I answered.
I'VE are as alive as you are. Here,
feel this"
lie shrank back as l placed my
clammy, wet hand upon his neck. but
the touch treasured him.
aye amt sperets, says you" he re-
peated amazedly. "Nor We amt
dead. M seem as you're here, why,
1t do stand to reason as how We amt
aboard the Walrus, which Is where
We vas and where We oughter be-"
He shook his head.
"'Tis perfectly natural" | retorted.
Master Corlaer and | have escaped
from the Walrus."
Ben came a step or two into the
cabin and stared hard at Peter. Then
he turned a disappearing eye upon the
pools of water we had sprinkled on
the table and the rich carpet.
well, II do look to be zee two"
he conceded grudgingly. But We ha'
mucked up the cabin awful, and the
captain will like to ha' me triced to
the main for a dozen wi the ca
Maybe So" he agreed. "But he won't
Ike ii that We come aboard this way"
| seized upon his opening without
scruple.
Yes, he'll hold 1t against you. Ben.
'Tis a shame"
He shlvered. and | appreciated what
my ~great-uncle's wrath must be.
sEVa ns.p1IpFe Lat hIn. n,v Mo-.
ormerodl oh, say We wouldn't Ye
don't want poor Ben Gum TO be
screamin' on the triangle"
"That don't" / assented warmly.
'You must hide us, Ben. Nobody will
know that you had aught to do with
our coming aboard; and indeed Cap
tain Murray Will not care. | think.
Twas not Of his own will be gave us
to Flint
III It's so, why don't zee go up on
the poop and tell the captain now?"
He'd have to send us back to Cap
tain Flint. You wouldn't like To be
sent aboard the walrus to stay, Ben"
Ben Gunn cooked his head on one
side.
81 aln't so sure" he swere
Maybe Flint would let me wear
senmnn's gear and tar my hair"
'If | rive command a ship you shall
be a tarry sallorman aboard her.
Ben" | promised. "But II you don't
hide us quickly, Ben, I'll never be able
to make good IN IT,"
He caught my. hand In his.
"You jes come along o. me. Ben
Gum knows a thing or two. he does.
I'll show zee. my master. You Jest
come nlong o. me-"
Peter and ] sopped after him M
the companlonwny to n door for'ard
OF the stnterooms we occupied, which
led by way OF u steep flight OF ladder.
ufaIru a.. fha uullav and aarvI.. ..,.-