The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-05-21
PORTO BELIO GOLD

''The injustice of youthI" he com.
mented evenly. II was the uncle and
tender guardian of the mother you
never knew, Robert"
II share my fathers feelings upon
that point" cried, and raised my
hand in threatening gesture.
He did not stir.
"Your conversion will be quite as
difficult as / had foreseen," he said.
mo, you would gain naught by strik-
ing me. Impartially I may recommend
you to adopt an attitude which will
secure you the maximum of liberty
and opportunity. OF what avail for
you to force yourself into confne-
ment?'
"Sir," 1 returned, "be convinced of
this: The day you attack defense
less ship / will STAY as many Of you
as can and contentedly die"
1t has sound of theatricalism now,
but l meant 1t at the time.
II purpose nothing of that sort for
you," answered my great-uncle. sand
while am tempted to argue you out
of a Position founded upon false
ethical basis, shall content myself
with the observation that you would
do well TO hold your temper in leash
until you find a need for its employ
ment"
He glanced oversize.
Il see we are under way. must
ask you to excuse me for the present,
Robert. am constrained to serve as
pilot"
He raised his little silver whistle,
and its shrill call fetched several of
the crew aft
AYE, aye, captain" 1t was Bones.
What's your wish, sir?"
Have this poor fellow"-Murray
gestured toward Corlaer's recumbent
form-"carried to one of the state
rooms. Use him gently. Bid the Irish
boy-what's his name? Oh, Darby =
bid Darby tend him and fetch him
what he requires.
"This gentleman, here"-he indicat-
ed me-''is my great-nephew, Master
Bones. 1t may be he will succeed me
in command of the Royal James some
day, although he is not with us Of
his own wish as yet. He is to have
complete freedom except he undertake
to achieve aught to our disadvantage.
Pass the word to me men, II you
please"
That's queer lay" growled Bones.
SIS he friend or enemy, captain?"
"An intelligent question:" replied
my great-uncle. "We may call him an
enemy who is to be treated as nearly
as possible as a friend"
BLASTED if 1 see any sense in It,"
affirmed Bones. "But whatever you
says. captain"
Exactly" said my great-uncle.
"Stir your stumps, We lousy swabs,"
roared Bones TO his men. Hitch on
to this here land-whale. - my
lights and gizzard if I ever see such
a monstrous heap O. human flesh
We'd ought to take him to the South
seas and sell him to the canneybals.
That's all he's good for. Come on,
young gentleman, you may be the cap
tain's nevvy or by-blow or whatever
twas he called We, but everybody
works on this ship. Lend hand"
/ obeyed him in silence, while he
and the others cursed and blasphemed
with a fiuency defying description,
What a company Except in Muir
rays presence they owned no disci-
pline, accepted no restraint Palpa-
bly, they hated as well as feared him,
and 1 found myself wondering how
secure a hold he had upon their
passions. Let them once cast off
the spell of his magnetism and SUI
perior wickedness, and they would be-
come so many irresponsible agents
of lust and destruction.
/ shuddered and was glad Of the
hooded cabin-lamp as we slowed
Peters limp body into the CONSTRUCTED
space of a bunk; gladder still when
they tramped away and left me alone
with the Dutchman.
Through a portfolio the lights OF
New York winked farewell to me.
l was as frightened as child by
himself for the first time In the dark.