The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-09-28
Chapter 81
ALIRI

A6t6t
THE fact that 1t was going to rain,
! and that navigation was difficult
IN those waters. did not really dis
tnrb Wong 30 in the least. There
would OF course be an inquiry into
the loss OF the Boldero, and II he
could say. and produce witnesses,
that the mischance had occurred in
waters which are well known to be
difficult, and in binding storm of
rain. it would be immensely to his
advantage.
Flint's nerves were all a-iump, and
perhaps Wong Bo's were. but he
gave no evidence of it. He was calm
and unruffled. He had made rough
plan. shaped IT, and filed all the de-
tails down to hair. He would ex.
ecute that plan as coolly and peace
fully as II it had been the letting go
Of an anchor in a safe harbor.
Even II It had not been for Wong
30. bis charts and his ( ling glass,
you would have known that some
thing out Of the ordinary was going
10 happen. because the birds and the
beasts knew It and were giving no
tice. They were talking among them.
selves In low anxious voices. -
The monkeys chung together, and
more and more often there rose
from them low moaning sounds in.
stead of the usual gatherings. The
tigers whimpered and whined, but
at the first far-off rumble of thunder,
the male gave answer in a full.
throated roar Of fear and defiance
The Boldero was nearing the end
Of the submerged reef, and not wish.
Ing to pass beyond this. Wong Be
had ordered the engine into slow
speed. This fact would also be OF
advantage in any investigation. II
would tend to prove that he had
pFacticed caution.
There came suddenly a blue-white
illumination by lightning. Captain
Wong Bo happened at the moment
TO be leaning on the forward rail OF
the bridge. Flint, a bundle of rasped
jumping nerves. was close beside
him.
Il happened when the fash came
that the eyes OF both were idly 70
cused on the black triangle formed
By the forecastle-head and the bow
plates of the Boldero.
During the instant of day.white
illumination. and before the ensuing
crash OF thunder. mattress. an un
pressed pillow and neatly made-uI
bedding could be seen aft of the pin
nacle.
Bowers had not slept in his bed.
Flint gripped the rail so tightly
that the nails of his fingers begaI
10 cut into the flesh. Wong Bo. how
ever. was vastly amused. He
chuckled so that he shook from hea(
TO foot like a mai made of blanc
mango.
Lets get going" said Flint saw
agely. Lets pile her up now"
Il think better wait little," said
Captain Wong 30. "Plitty soon hin
lain. Heap lain. More better"
ITO hell with the rain," said Flint
"and everything else!"
A N eavesdropper in the vicinity Of
"a the forecastle-head would have
discovered at once that the passen
gers were not asleep. He would have
heard a murmur OF voices which
were very close together. which
mnrmured in turn and spoke kim
OF lovers litany. First the mans
voice: vm
docs It matter where we liver
z "No."
do you carer"
= ''No. Do your"
& mo"
4 There was a perceptible pause II
the whispering. Then the woman's
voice:
Does It matter when we die?"
"No."
do you carer"
"No. Do your"
IN -. no."
There had been a lull in the ap
preaching storm. It was as If 1t haC
been gathering itself for a spring
There were sounds OF vast rippings
and tearings- Lightning and thunder
flashed and crashed without per
ceptible intervals. and then the rair
struck like a blow.
Captain Wong 30 turned to Flint
and gave the first order toward the
carrying out of his carefully con
eeived plan of barratry.
Il think you go below now" he
said.
The lightning flashes were almost
continuous, and the decks and super.