Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-03-11

hc was CUululauOeQ 70 Turn the tug
We viii go by-how do you call it?
The kill?"
What the guy meant was the Arthur
XIII. the tidewater channel which sep
arated the back OF Staten Island from
Jersey, It logged northeast for Is miles
f before II led into Newark bay. Then
+ XIII van Kull. connecting this bay with
T the upper harbor of New York City:
both night and day its oily waters bore
+ an endless stream OF traffic.
F But Arthur XIII was a different
story. Here we're long stretches of
empty banks. occasional towns. a few
dark docks. II was made TO order for
guys like this one-guys who had rea-
son 70 slip away when the search was
on for a missing tug
1T was kind of you to pick me up"
the guy said presently. Sneering at him.
Glad you think so" Eddie num-
ITO what do I owe this unexpected
honor?"
You we're in Joe's boat"
An, SO | was. He was a friend Of
yours, perhaps?"
Yes snarled Eddie. thinking of Joe
hunched cold in the launch. He glared
at the guy. Then. too late, he realized
that that was no way to be looking
now
1T Is regrettable." shrugged the guy.
Since he was your friend. you will not
forgive me"
Eddie said nothing. He scowled
straight ahead. watching the light at
the mouth of the kill He had never
felt so lonely. so helpless They were
IS miles from the Battery wall II
might as well be $4,000
He thought Of Norah, so far away
and wondered numbly what she was
doing II was 8 o'clock He was late by
an hour. Right now he and Norah
and Norah's mother, who would go
along just TO make It proper. should be
at their little flat in Brooklyn hang
ing pictures and laying rugs against
tomorrow's gala entryl
Doubtless Norah thought that he
was drunk That he had stepped out
with some Of the gang for a final
fling at masculine freedom. She was
probably hopping mad at him-und he
still showing a tug around because OF
a little guy with a gum
AS the Haine poked into the mouth
Of the kill its skipper observed that the
tide was low. Then a memory stirred /
Two years ago. when the water was
low in this tidal channel. he'd run
aground off the Island OF Meadow. He
recalled how the impact threw him for
ward. all but knocking him off his !
feet.
Suppose that this guy were suddenly
thrown, without any warning! Eddie (
frightened. One moment, that was all (
he would need: one lightning sock to I
this guys jaw when he. wasn't ready to
pull the trigger. Eddie knew that shoal .
spot. He could find 1t. He would brace
himself against the wheel and run
full speed on the hidden ledge.
His hope died out. He hadn't a
chance. 1t was seven miles to the Is
land Of Meadow across the kill from
Carteret. and there were some lonely
stretches between. No this guy would
be safe ashore before they ever reached
Carteret
The Haine passed Tottenville. Perth
crossing. Now the banks of
The kill were getting wilder. The guy
was peering out toward Jersey scan
ming the shore, but always alert for
any move on the part Of Eddie.
once more the short-waVe radio
spoke. A message, this time, TO the
plot vessel riding the swells off Am
1rose Light. 1t was silent for scarcely
more than a minute before the voice
,egan again:
"W2xBG calling tug John L. Haine
" 4<A4S1 NaAAAAlE NuH uDAlAA IL AAdAANs
Why haven't you reported yet. You
re ordered to call from the nearest :
,hone. Stand by"
A pause. then, marred by static. And
hen a voice which caused the wheels
nan to grip the spokes as though he'd
zen shocked
"Eddiei Oh, Eddie, where are you,
arling? I'm worried to death. Can you
Iear me Eddie2 Please, please. phone
S soon as you can. I've got to know
you are all right"
His eyes met the guys. The guys
Tere alight. His lips framed smtrk-
he kind Of expression a lady's man
cts on seeing a cute little neat-looking |
anne. He hitched at his tie with his
zee left hand and then made a smack
lg sound with his lips.
"A very Interesting voicei Pas
onate, ahl So you are Eddie?" When
ne latter said nothing he went on
)ftly, American women-very ex-cit-
lg. like thees one. would wish to
now her. Perhaps you viii give me
err name and NUMBER"
At that instant Eddie was seeing two
ices. The face Of this guy with it's
uniting sneer, and Norah's face. Hers
Re more vivid. Her soft red lips, the
ue of her eyes, her eyes very anxious,
match her voice. her voice still
,hoing through his head, and all so
1ignantly that her fragrance seewed
r the moment to fill his nostrils.
His spirit f1ared. 1t was Just as II
orah had entered the pilothouse Of
le Haine. AS II she had entered, and
len this guy had leeringly made
ISIS at her.
Eddie swung at him with all he had.
was automatic. He couldn't help it.
he guy, though quick, wasn't quick
ough to dodge the blow. But he man
led to fire.
AS the gun went sprawling upon the
)or Eddie could feel the leads sharp
ng. The shot had been haSty, trifle
de. It pierced his left arm below the
oulder The arm hung useless, but
Idie's right was his Sunday punch
ID this for the moment now, was
nday.
he kicked at the hand which. stin
the floor, was raising the gun. The
stol went flying. The guy scrambled
and tried to reach 1t, and Eddie
lmg, and that was the end. He could
] it was by the feel Of his fist and
e sound Of the blow. The guy dropped