The Coolidge examiner., 1934-09-07

NJ iryIng's Initiation into the new
llfe be had chosen for the ensuing
year was begun.
pavy was only twenty four.
though he looked older.
lie was a tall youth. splendldly
proportloued with an expanse OF
chest and a display OF muscular de
yelopmeut OF which he was not only
proud. but exceedingly boastful
Born and raised on Vermont
farm. he succunbed after years Of
dreaming TO an urge for adventure.
He travelled 10 New Bedford and
found employment there on the crew
of the Martha Preston. which, by
chance. was needful OF men and
ready 10 sail
I Davy's attitude from the moment
be set Zoo; on the Martha Preston's
deck WIS one of arrogance and su-
( periority
The men with whom be slept In
the fo'casle we're unscbooled and
coarse. accustomed 20 rough living.
And there was about navy an air
OF self-esteem and eocksuredness
that provoked black scowls and an
cry mutterings among them.
They didn't Ike Davy, and took
no trouble 20 conceal the fact.
The thing happened on the morn
iug OF the first day. after the Mar
tha Preston had cleared New Bed
ford harbor and was standing well
out 20 sea.
Dayy stood In the center OF the
forward deck and looked about him
with n dissatisfied expression on his
face.
"It's a filthy old tub" be remarked
10 no one In particular.
but It's adventure I'm after and
III see the voyage through. 9th or
no.
Something smote Davy behind the
ear with the force OF pile driver.
He went spinning helplessly
across the deck. skImmiBg along on
bis stomach and bringing Up with
a res0undlng thud against the oppo-
site rail-
Dazed. angered. greatly humlll-
hied Dayy got 10 bis feet. shook bis
head clear and turned around IN
search o. the man who had struck
hiy
The man stood ten PAGES away.
The tremendous figure of a man. a
man with a black walrus Ike mus
tache and shaggy black hair peep
lng out from under bis vlsored cap.
This man was Big Nat Fisher.
flrst mate of the Martha Preston, a
powerful man. known for his
strength OF body and spirit
There was now 10 the black eyes
OF him. as he watched young Dayy
Irving. a conteZptible. scornful look.
look OF dcrislon and disgust.
~Stand up. you scuml" be roared
AZ Davy.
stand up and eat them words or
take the licking you deserve. A
filthy tub. Is she fIa And who
are you TO be calling her a flthy
tubf-
As he spoke Big Nat took a step
forward.
Davy. head now cleared. the angry
light OF humiliation. provoked by
the ring Of grinning faces that had
formed behind the first mate. burn
Ing In his eyes. stepped 10 10 meet
the attack.
He had always prided himself on
his great strength. his ability TO
take care of himself.
But In Big Nat Fisher he had
guessed wrong.
The mate brushed aside the care
fully directed straight arm blow
which Davy flung at him. with a
carelessness that was at once
alarming and maddening.
Instead Of Telling his assaIlant
with a single blow as had often
been his way OF winning a battle.
Dayy found his knotted FIST whls-
Ting through unobstrucied space.
And before he could regain his
balance something struck him on
the point OF the chin with force
that threatened to loosen his teeth.
His feet lifted clear OF the deck;
his body Strengthened out In mldair
and struck the boards with a jar
ring impact.
Big Nat stood over the fallen man
and roared:
IN rarn ye! Scum Get up and
take what's coming TO ye! A filthy
tub is She You ought to be thrown
overheard for saying less. I'll teach
We respect"
Such a blow as that with which
Big Nat had felled Davy might have
killed a weaker man.
II had served to dull Davy's
senses to a point OF being only
vaguely aware of what happened
Minutes later he sat erect. rub
bing his head.
He saw a pair Of heavy hob-nailed
boots close beside him and looked
nm And as he did so Big Naf