Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-12-23
CHAPTER Iv-cOntinved

looked around me, noting that the
watch were all ensconced upon the
forecastle orsthe poop. Then remem-
beTed that ranged around the bottoms
Of the masts were long handbars OF
wood, lron-tlpped. which were used
In making fast the saiI-ropes. ran
across to the malnmast and tore one
from its slot.
Nobody had yet seen me In the pitch
darkness, and stole across the deck
to the door which gave entrance to the
poop. my water-soaked shoes quite
soundless. The door was ajar and
opened II very carefully. listening to
the Inurmur OF Voices In the main
cabin Murray and De Veulls were
sitting on the bench which ran across
the stern. the table n front OF them
Uttered with cards. SO much l saw
when the entrance into the main cabin
was darkened by the body OF the ne
gro. Tom.
He saw me descending the stairs,
and apparently took me to be one OF
the officers coming of watch. At any
rate, he stepped back into the cabin
and stood there, waiting 70 give me
room. The passage was not more than
fifteen or sixteen feet long, and as l
approached him l smelled again that
rancid, musky odor-the body smell.
as / afterward discovered. Of the saw,
age, black or red-whlch had over
whelmed my nostrlls just before was
v,ftnhad ovar the side
Twas that decided me. i took a
firm grip on my Improvised club and.
stepping into the pool of light In the
main cabin. swung square around, face
to face with Tom. He threw up both
hands and staggered back with a Wild
scream Of terror, eyes popping from
his ashen-gray face.
/ gave him no time for recovery, but |
brought down the Iron-tipped end OF
the handbaf with all my force against
HIS skull The blow would have killed |
cay save black man. Il meant TO kin /
him. As II was. he dropped IKE q !
Slaughtered OK. and lay In a crumpIed I
heap of tawdry finery on the floor.
Doors banged In the passage, and /
stepped 10 one side, setting my back
to the buIkhead. the while fastened
my eyes upon the startled amazement
with which Murray and De veuIle re
garded me. Twas Murray recovered
FIRST
Cooks be remarked. taking SNUFF
With his usual precision. 1T seems
that Tom is growing in the way Of
making mistakes.
ave. and such mistakes are like to
react upon Others" replied fiercely.
aIf / were refugee from justice. !
should be careful how threatened
subjects" he answered
.almly. well, well. II seems we have
more company
/ followed his glance to the passage.
here stood the girl. whilst over her
shoulder pee1ed the square, puzzled
features Of my silent cabin mate, Mas
er Bingham.
~what hath happenedf" he asked
Is the negro dead7"
Il think 30" I said ''He-"
Not he" corrected Murray cheer
ully. ~You know not Tom, good Mas
er Ormerod- He hath skull on him
an be only he opened with blasting.
,owder~
III matters little, returned The
ascal attacked me above. Master
bingham / pursued him down here.
here is naught more 70 be said
vilI settle with bis master"
The second mate looked question
agiy toward Murray. hated TO com
romlse So bot had not missed the
elIed threat he had addressed % me
or his use Of the name Oruerod Re.
sember. was stIn known 10 the crew I
. Juggina
was uncertain what attitude the {
npanln snlgbt take II he was toId thaf
wae q pnllEseal Eafagse There nslghl ! {