The Coolidge examiner., 1934-09-07

Toward the middle OF the after
noon man came down the compan.
lonway and bent over his bunk.
Feeling better. SOM"
There was n note OF kindness
In the voice. Dayy opened his eyes
and looked into a wr.nkled old face
close to his own.
I'm Otto Perch" the voice went
on "Been sailing with the Martha
Preston going on ten year. I've seen
dozens OF 'em come and 90 sames
yourself. son. and I knows how you
feel. Sore In every Joint aud plan
ming revenge on Big Nat for all
you're worth" lie laughed a dry
mlrthless laugh
"My advice is forget II, son.
You'll come to like Big Nat after a
time lie aln't one 10 praise a man
and he'll lick the tar OUTER you II
you don't obey orders. But he's fair
and honest Give hiTn a good days
work. and be won't do no more'n
lacerate you with his tongue. which
amt a biz harmful compared to how
you feel now
Dovy wet his tongue and his eyes
burned with a fierce passion
Thanks. sailor. but you're vast
Ing your breath Big Nat picked on
the wrong bird that time | ain't
forgettin' Ike the rest Not 50 you
could notice II. Maybe now he's
better man. but there'll come
time-and II amt far OF. either.
when he'll admit I'm good"
But despite his boast Davy was
willing 10 blde his time.
The effects Of the beating Big
Nate had given him gradually wore
OF. and the youth went sullenly
about the task OF learning the tricks
OF operating a sailing vessel.
He was an apt student and a
willing worker. and he learned fast
lie came. also. Go know and un-
derstand the men with whom he
came IN daily contact. discovered
behind their conrseness a geniality
and loyalty worth sharing.
But toward the frst mate he
maintained a distinct feeling OF
hatred. continuously planning ven
geauce
For six long months Davy nursed
the wound 10 his pride and plotted
revenge.
Six months during which the Mar
thn Preston's oil casks began to
slowly on as she sailed from one
whaling ground 10 the next
Dayy was by now accustomed to
his duties.
All but Biz Nat. who never gave
n word OF praise TO auy man, had
complimeuted the youth on bis apti-
tude.
II was toward the end OF the sew
cuth month az sea that the Martha
Preston made her biggest catch.
Big Nat ordered the sails taken
10 and the anchor weighed.
The Martha Preston was hove 10
and her whaling boats lowered
The mate himself took the rud-
der OF the boat to which Dayy was
assigned.
Old Otto Perch was In the bow
spirit platform. harpoOn In hand.
The victim was a big bull. lying
half mile to the southwark OF
where lay the vessel.
otto Perch made fast his harpoon
with an expert thrust.
The men shipped their oars and
watched the coil Tine unravel itself
as the whale churned the water
He proved sluggish individual.
running less than half mile before
the line began TO slack.
Davy Irving. pulling tub oar. saw
the slack and reached down to snub
the line.
But az that instant the bull took
II into his head TO make a second
rush. The line grew taut and before
Dayy knew what had happened he
saw loop tighten about his wrist
and Eel, himself jerked overheard
with a force that threatened TO pull
loose bis arm.
Thereafter Davy wasn't exactly
sure OF what took place.
He felt himself being pulled
through the water at a tremendous
pace. saw vaguely the whaling boat