The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-03-08

sooner had he arrived at Blind Nan
station than she tu. ned her back upon
him.
And now, when he had schemed TO
meet Norman Erickson alone, TO fight
it out with only the disinterested stars
for witnesses here she was, In
the way. In the way as Norman had
been in his way before. he could not
finish Erickson in the manner he
planned. Not with Sue looking on
I'urposely he dropped the fish knife.
Norman moved even so slightly to-
ward the banging iller. Baker spun
in his way. Sue edged to the low iron
rail She gave another short cry as
the two men met.
stop Ii, Ed Bakeri" she screamed
He paid no attention i. too late
to pay attention If he wished The
deck was small for a man-sized fight,
less than eight feet square, and pitch
ing insanely; the tiller slammed left
and right
81 got you where want youl"
Baked cried again through his teeth.
He flung headlong at Norman. The
two clinched They thrashed down.
Baker atop. Norman's hands. sweep
ing the darkness before him. clamped
upon the others left shoulder. Ii
squirmed away easily. Baker kicked
quick chilly sensation ran up Nor
mans spine. He rolled over. grappled
and again the two ioundered on the
slippery deck. They gripped tight
chest to chest, cheek TO cheek.
Baker pushed forward. Norman felt
himself grow very tired He was out
matched. he realized. and the pith
gone from his bones. Baker was ON
top again. shaking, pounding. swear
ing In . hoarse, vicious monotone.
The sound of his voice was broken by
a command from Sue Stocking.
Eight him, Norman! Fight himF"
Then in five seconds: "Pll helpi"
himI"
Bakers grip weakened for a mo-
ment Norman squirmed. He was on
his left side now, his right hand was
free. 1t swung up, bent down. Again
it lifted. Again ii fell. This time it
missed the pIiability of Bakers body.
Under its blow the scaling knife rat
tied. Norman gripped its handle. saw
its blade CLEAN In the light of the
stars, held il an uncertain moment.
and flung it overheard
The neglected boat wallowed In
series of narrow troughs. Norman
slid to one knee. He was blind, now.
and deaf, and the sense of his fingers
had left him.
"FightI" be ordered himself grimly.
Eighth L. commanded. Slight :.
like :. an Erickson tell
you, ightl"
Some of Gustafs stubborn will came
into his knees. He pushed Baker up
ward. With great teave both men
stood up, Norman pommeling. Then
he bent; Baker slid over his shout
der; he lifted, iabbed and a heavy
body bIundered across the low rail.
Norman grabbed the iron rail atop
the deckhouse and caught the tiller
between his heels.
"All right, Sue? he painted. His
feet worked to port The tiller turned
with them. The boat steered in a
circle.
I'm right enough. Norman. what
are you doing?"
"Find the fiashIight :. IT'S some
where there on deck Hold 1t over
side"
The boat swung in a wide erratic
arc The beam of the fash lamp
played through tho darkness. Nor
man doubled like a jack-knife and
rose into the air. voice cried from
the water. Then Norman came up,
painting and clutched for the side. He
held Bakers collar in his eft hand.
He yanked himself up with conyul-
sive struggle. pulled the other man
after him.
Norman dropped down exhausted.
Baker lay quiet against the cabin.
Norman. Norman" Sue leaned over
him. "Brace yourself one side
little. That's better. I'll take her
in"
Norman's lungs were bursting; there
must be an anchor atop them. What
was IT about her voice? That funny
twist to it? He never had heard Sue
speak like that before. Like his IA
theirs voice. wasn't It? No !. not
his father. His father was dead. He
closed his eyes.
"Can you give me a hand?" Sue
asked AT length.
"Sure." Norman raised on one ell
bow. Blind Mans Eye cast friendly
and welcoming radiance across the
uneasy countenance of the water.
Blind Mans Eyel Homei He felt
the boat bump against the piling of
the lighthouse dock Funny his knees
wouldn't stand He reached out for
the cabin and pulled himself upright.
A short, bareheaded man pulled down
the planks.
by the hoky poky, Sue i. . are
you there. daughter? Heaven above
be praisedl And me boy Norman. Is
he there? Such a day off You'll be
taking no more of theml Why'd you
stay so later
Sorry about your father. boy" this
to Norman. "Parish told me. Sakes
above. what's that? Sue :. what's
that head a-hangin' oversize? Are ye
bringin' home dead manT
THAT'S Ed Baker," Sue told him.
.he's not dead"
As the boat ceased its Stating.
Baker lifted 70 his elbows and dropped
back muttering.
Hes playing dead" Norman grunt-
ed. Here, Captain Stocking. help
me with this lummox. No. he isn't
much hurt. Not so much as he might
be-"