The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-08-06
CHAPTER XIII-Continued


crew." he said. "And my view is as
how the crew is for fightin' for their
just rights The Walrus has played
second fiddle long enough, and here's
a chance as isn't likely to come again"
There was second brief interval
of silence.
Nobody contrary" announced the
one-,egged man cheerfully. Councils
over! Keep quiet, mates. No drinkin',
no fightin'. Therell be plenty o. both
later"
The squatting ranks broke up into
groups, and number of men strolled
for'ards toward my hiding-place But
did not await them. From the shell
ter of the chase-gun 1 hunched myself
back behind a water-cask, and so re-
gained the bows, slipped oversize and
slid down the anchor-cable to the
water.
A huge white shape fioated up to
me.
rs dot you, Bob?"
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 lucky Teller.
Always gets what he wants"
"What does he want?" / painted.
"Now he gets rid of Flint andt der
Walrus crew, ia"
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" said indlg
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, ia"
"Well, why do we help him. then?'
snapped, recalling my great-uncle's
parting gibe.
Dots where he is smart, Bob. He
makes It so we got to help him to safe
too. For him and der Irisher dot
drinks like Lenape squaw / amt got
no use. But you andt der little gall
dots different"
do you mean he intends to sacri-
fee all of us? And carry away the
whole treasure for himself?"
81 don't know, Bob. Murray, he is
a funny Teller. Very funny! He likes
der little gal. Maybe he likes me
/ don't know. Andt he is honest about
dot oldt king dot Ifs in Rome. But
If any of US come in his way, he would
push us aside. Dots him nowi"
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 a faded picture in frame
seen across darkened room.
"Once before he planned too big"
Peter whispered on. maybe this time
Colt speaks loud to der tdefil andt
stops him."
My great-uncle's voice floated down,
quietly distinct.
"They are gone overlong. Gadzooks,
chevalier, If they do not shortly re-
turn I'll ship my cable and take adj
vantage Of what remains of the flood
to come at the Walrus and finish mat
tiers off-hand."
"ODonnell's reply was simply a
querulous echo from the interior of
the cabin.
'That sounds as though he had some
use for u.s." murmured to Peter.
noiselessly treading water beside me.
ia, Use he has for US. Maybe
he needs us when he gets rid of der
James, Ell? If der tdefil fails him.
he can have use for honest men, Bob"
"We1l soon know" 1 retorted, and
twitched the rope which dangled by
the rudder-post.
"Who is there?" challenged my
great-uncle, instantly alert.
Robert" ] whispered back, and
commenced to climb.
Both Murray and ODonnell-the
latter for the time being stirred out
over the window-sill, and it affected
me oddly to note my great-uncle's
unconcern for the water l dripped on
his silken coat.
you ha' suffered no hurt?" he
asked eagerly.
to help Peter up. They are coming
against US with the making of the
ebb."
He was betwixt me and the window,
and could see the faint smile Of sat
isfaction on his face.
"'Tis what was to be expected of
Them" he remarked. eve must i'm
prove our watch. IT'S 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.
"Oof!" he squeaked. 81 haf bub-
bles under my skin. We hat fight
tonight, Murray, JAZZ"
Thanks to you and Robert, friend
Peter, twill be rather in the nature
of chastisement than a fight" he an
swered urbanely. IF you will pardon
be, gentlemen, l will go and complete
the necessary arrangements"
A tinkle of glass told me that ODon-
nell was reflling his goblet.
whats fight to the likes o. him."
m uttered the Irishman dolefully.
''Treachery and scheming and murder
ing, aye it's fine night for such
Oh, blessed saints, where1l we be this
time the morrow"
"Safe, beyond question" 1 sought to
encourage him as 1 drew on my
breeches. "'Tis never the Walrus'
scaly crew will overcome u.s."
''Be not too sure Master Ormerod,"
ba rotortad with unusual vehemence