Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-03-08
CHATTER VIII.

TIME Break oDawn had taken on
q new lease of life. Forty-eight
hours had brought a change
Il The sea was down. True. il was
no night OF beauty. but what
were a few fog-eanks and still angry
swell compared with what had recently
brought the Break O'Dawn so psrilous-
" near her end.
Peters eyes followed the figure Of
Capt Jossphus Mumm. SIS, through
the fog and murk. he could Just make
out the little red-haired skipper NOV
ing swiftly here and there about the
deck. The man was making things
'ship-Shape"-ha6h been all day. Queer
devil OF a chap! Ugly enough of face.
the Lord knew. and ugly enough OF
temper. too-hut with ferocious grit
about him. that one could not help but
admit and admire.
The bits OF torn and ragged canvas,
that were still serviceable, were now
doing all that they were capable OF,
sl6-sti!l a source Of 6aEed unhealthy
II Peter-the Break O'Dawn was not
crly afoat but. after c fashion. was
making few knots and actually steer
Eng a course, even If that course vas
somewhat problenlstical as 10 destina-
t;cn. since il depended entirely upon
oead reckoning and with very little
upon which TO base even that decidedly
Questionable calculation. Peter eesed
the wheel little. and smiled grimly
Even so. the red-ha:red little spit-fire
q man was in fair way 10 earn
his 5000!
A bit of an incongruous situation
The crew. the four of them that were
left, locked up in the forepeak: and
be. Peter. helping to work the Break
O'Dawn TO port-tlaat he might stand
his trial on the charge Of murder! The
Munim carried two loaded revolvers in
his pocket. and when he went below
- snatch short spell OF rest, locked
thu cabin behind him. He, Peter. was
not permitted 70 enter the cabin-the
Geek served for his spells OF rest where
an eye could be kept upon him whilst
Capt. Mumm must perforce take a trick
at the wheel! Capt. Mumm had ex-
pounded his policy and his line OF
action succinetiy enough.
Il amt taking any chance, y'under-
stand!" Capt Mumm had stated, his
tswny. hristling beard sticking cut
belligsrentlv. And having got that lot
for'ard where they're feeding out OF my
hand. amt hankering for knives
from any other source-not mentioning
NslE AEI}% "a as 10 ObfE3utu E&flUy
with EN-"
Incorporating little beggar. Five
thousand pounds Well 1t wSs lot OF
money-more than Capt Jcsephus
Mun1m had probably ever seen at one
time since the little red-haired skip
per's maximum Of worldly wealth up
70 the present had undoubtedly been
measured BY no more than a few pre-
ca-!ous p!ckings earned In his hap
hazard v'anderings, coupled. Of course.
with the possession OF som. down-at-
the-heeis. worna-eaten hulk sIch as the
Break O'Day1. Capt. JoSephus Mumnl
had his mind soul and body glued On
that 5000. Peter shook his head In a
strangely tolerant way. He didn't
blame the man: certainly he held no
Yancor against the ether for It. II
meant virtual independence for a man
OF Capt. Mumnls station-and the man
wasn't young any more. 20 say the least
OF It. And the ey!dence-peters hand
went swiftly % his forehead, and
brushed across his eyes. II was black
enough So black that
What was he driving al? Oh, yes!
A sort OF bitter laughter came 10 his
lips. So black that Capt jcsepf1us
MuHc1 was quite justified in delivering
Peter Blake over % the authorities--
entirely apart from the consideration
OF 5000 So black. with nothing u
Offset IL IN rebvttai. with only his own