The Ely miner., 1930-05-16
CHAPTER IX-Con.inued

he voices were TOO Idr OH IOT any
of the prisoners to hear what was
said. But they knew some dreadful
scenes of violence were being enacted.
some such scene, perhaps, as that
which had ended in Hallett's murder.
Mrs Radway spoke in a level. hard
voice. She addressed her remarks to
Crosby Todd.
II suppose you realize by this time,
what chance we stand if Doctor Waite
has been killed?"
The thought that he had gone bravely
TO doom which could not be averted,
and had gone from group of people
who plainly did not trust him, was
horrible TO her. She had always es-
teemed ingratitude among the blacker
sins, and now she was forced TO ac-
cuse herself Of it. Ii was strange,
she thought. that the only thing he
had ever given her was a loaded auto
matte pistol. But there was no other
gift so welcome to her. Images of
MetZger's grinning face came unbid-
den. She took the weapon from
drawer and counted its six cartridges.
Bettington was alone on the upper
deck. He had plenty of steam. Drunk
or sober, Kenzie was a good engineer
and would have no shirkers. His his
tory was curious. He had been an
engineer ON many ships, plying in
many seas; but always he had been
N whnSn on
gineS were worn out, whose machinery
would invariably be on the point of
giving way. Never in all his service
had he shipped on a vessel whose en-
gines were even passably good. Then,
almost miraculously, he had been
picked up by man who knew his
past misfortunes, held them club-like
over his head, and brought to the en-
gine -oom of the Albatross. 1t was
not drink which made Kenzie weep
when he saw the vertical. inverted,
compound condensing engines, which
took their steam from an Almy water
tube boiler. 1t was unbelievable joy.
His dreams were realized He was
glad that MetZger, who knew next TO
=.
alone. No priest in the Gothic cathe
draI was more reverent than Kenzie
before his charge.
Sam and Metzger, flinging all care
aside, started gambling. Each knew
the other had money. Metzger was
the better player. but he was handi-
capped by certain fear of any tricky
play. Sam iIterspersed his games
with anecdotes of men he had pun
ished dreadfuliy for cheating. Inter-
ruptionS such as these cramped Metz
gers style of play. Sam was not GO
ing to be such good picking as he
hoped Sans favorite form of punish
ment, it seemed, was semi-strangula-
tion. 1t was risky punishment, Sam
confessed, because in the heat of the
moment one might 20 too far. "An'
you know it in a minute" Sam said.
"Theres something about a guys face
whose been squeezed bit too hard,
you won't never forget"
"Dio mio!" MetZger said petulantly.
"Let us talk of something else"
Anything you say" Sam returned.
"Wot about?"
''There is only one subject" Metz
ger said; he kissed his hand airily and
raised his black eyes to heaven:
"Women !"
Sam reflected on this for minute.
1t was not easily he shifted his base.
This woman business had been settled
hours ago, and he told Metzger so.
They were to be kept in the fore part
of the ship until Limon came in sight.
1t was only then that the services of
the surgeon would be no longer indis-
pensable. He chuckled heavily as he
thought of the doctors surprise.
''All in good time," Sam declared.
'No use hurrying."
Metzger was annoyed when Antonio
Pereira, the cook whose name was en-
shrined in literature, came in with a
plate of the same sort of caviare sand
wiches he had been used to make for
Radway.
Pereira was in the mood to talk
of his conquests which had ranged
through many seas. Metzger, usually
interested In such matters, wished
only to be left alone with Sam. 1t
was almost midnight before the cook
turned in.
"There is man like me-" Metzger
said. 'He has no use for caution.
tell you women love that kind. He
has lived, while you" Metzger
shrugged his shoulders. "Poor Sam!'
"What do yer mean, poor Sam = ="
said the other irritably. Sam was
stirred to indignation. He poured
forth accounts of his amOurs. He
grew almost eloquent. But he still
told his friend that his agreement
with the navigator must be observed
for safety's sake.
Sam allowed MetZger to lure him
on deck where they sprawled luxuri-
Ously on two great wicker chairs.
Metzger set out to tempt his CON-
paDiOn. Deliberately he sought to
evoke images which should Danish
prudence. He pointed to the silhouette
of Bettington's figure against the sky
line in the distance.
at doesn't worry me-" said Metz
ger. "rm all right, Sam. It's you
I'm sorry for"
"Wet the HI is it?" Sam said pet
tishly. By this time he understood
that Metzger considered him one to be
pitied. The idea revolted him.
"While he's up there-and he'll be
there many hours-I know my woman
is all right. But what do you know
about the pretty little girl with dark
flashing eyes? I'll tell you. She
loves Hallett's nephew. They are
young. You, my Sam, are old; you
are cautious, you are slow. Is she go
ing to wait for you when younger
mon Offer tl,eyrSelyps3 How long will