White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1933-06-08


an Offer"
Eric spoke slowly and quietly, and
Nan Horton opened her clear, hazel
eyes. Horizons rat-trap mouth grew
hard. II don't require any advice
from you"
"You asked for 1t, and I'm going to
give it to you. Bradford's shorthand
ed anyway; If he loses any more men.
just at the start of the season, he
can't handle his fish. If you try any
thing like this, you can expect trouble"
"And you'll deserve it, too, Felix"
1t was the old woman's voice, clear as
birds. "Your sport is not as i'm
portant as Mr.. Bradford's work, or any
MANS OF course you can't steal his
men,"
"But that argument can be reduced
to an absurdity," said the younger
man called Roy. eff you start think
ing Of other peoples interests instead
Of your own you'll soon find yourself
in the sentimental soup. Don't you
see that If we don't recruit our crew
here, we'll have to loaf two weeks
waiting for a fresh gang from Ketchi-
kan?"
II don't agree with you, Roy" 1t
was Mans contralto voice., with a
'cello-like richness of tone, and both
men turned to her in surprise. Usual
ly support you and Dad in the public
be id attitude, but somehow this
doesn't seem to me to be playing the
game"
"Nan, you're talking as though life
is cricket match, or romance"
Roy spoke lightly. yet with flash of
his cold eyes. Eric knew that here
was strong man-perhaps even
stronger than the purse-proud million
aire, Felix Horton-who would likely
win what he wanted from the world,
whether it was wealth or power or
Horizons daughter. "Go ahead, Felix.
and take what men you need"
THAT'S what propose to do" He
turned to Eric. "Who's that chap in
the mackinawY
"Johanessen, Bradford's dock fore
man."
Johanessen was called up and ques-
toned. Would he ship on the Intrepid
for twice his present pay? He shook
his blond head.
II am very sorry, but we ISIS short
handed, and connot spare myself. You
see, de feesh run pretty quick now,
and we will all be dam busy: hat
no time to go yachting"
He marched stolidly away; girlish
giggle escaped Mother Horizons pale
old lips. Mans gray eyes frightened
perceptibly, and even Roy smiled
family and knowingly. "Just what we
could expect from the simple Nordic,"
Roy said.
But Horizons big jowls flushed. It'll
be hanged If I'm going to rot up here
for two weeks. Well take these bully
boys there" He indicated Sandomar's
gang. They're hard lot, but we can
handle them, and maybe they won't be
so naughty as those sterling Americans
that just walked off, And Ericsson
here will ship as first officer"
Eric's eyes were not now the tint
Bering sea shoals under winter clouds.
II don't want the job. I don't care to
work for you. You asked for it, and
you've got it. just saw you try to
break up Bradford's force with the
strength of your checkbook, and I'm
not going to okay that. or help yon
make cruise in our waters"
He was looking into Horizons face,
so he did not see the quick flash, pos
sibly anger, perhaps some other emo
ton, in his daughters eyes. But as
he turned away, he heard Mother
Horton voice unqualified approval.
II don't blame him q bit, Felix. If
your father was alive, he'd say the
same"
Eric turned to his snubbing block,
but the matter was not yet closed.
An entirely new light was thrown on
it when the elderly captain sought
Eric and recalled that they had met
before. Their eyes grew brilliant as
they recalled dive in Jibuti; a
strange, hair-raising, snaky dance by
nautch-girl, the tint of old ivory !;
and q chair-smashing row with half a
dozen Arabs.
II was better man then than now"
Captain Waymire said. give years
makes sight of difference. And may
| be that's why hate to face this cruise
| alone"
"You still have your chief engi.
neer," Eric said.
"Yes, but he can't help me handle
that pack of wolves I've just signed
up" Then, man to man: "Ericssen,
forget the boss high-handed ways, and
help me out. And I'm not speaking
for myself alone"
Eric struggled in vain against rising
curiosity. "Who are you speaking
for"
"Horton's girl She asked me to
talk to you. I think she approved OF
your stand, but like me, she's uneasy
about those thugs. She won't admit