Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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V >• »,-i Coprri«h*, fcr P< oAuthor of "WEBSTER—MAN’S MAN," "THE VALLEY OF TOE GIANTS," Etc B. Kra* . CHAPTER XII—C*ntlnu«crr —13— - After breakfast Commodore' Gibney #rdered that the prisoners be brought before him. The cook served ^them with breakfast, and as they ate, the commodore reminded theha that It was only through his personal efforts and his natural disinclination - to return blow for blow that they were at that moment enjoying a square meal In stead of swinging In the rigging. “I’m goln tq give you two yeggs a chance to reform,” concluded Mr. Gib ney, addreylng Tabu-Tabu. “If you show us where we can get a cargo of black corat and work hard and faith ful helpin’ as to get it aboard, It may help you to comb a few gray hairs. I’m goln’ to take the Irons off now, but re member! At the first .sign of the double-cross you’re both shark meat." On behalf of himself and the king, Tabu-Tabu promised to behave, and McGnlfey kicked them both Into the small boat. The mate and two sea men followed In another boat. In which the air-pump- and diving apparatus was carried, and Tabu-Tabu piloted them to a patfli of still water Just In side the reef. The water was so clear that McGuffey was enabled to make out vast . marine' gardens thickly sprinkled with the precious black coral. “Over you go. you two smokes." rasped McGuffey. menacing the cap tives with his rifle. “Dire deep, my hearties, and bring up what you can find, and if a shark rvanes along and takes a nip out of your hind leg. don’t expect no help from R. McGuffey. Ksqulre—because you won’t get any." For nearly two weeks the Maggte II tay at anchor, while her crew labored 4ally la the gardens of the deep. Vast that all these months we’ve l»een asleep under a cabbage leaf, communin’ with potato bugs?" "Not for a mlriute," replied the com modore. “Why, I gof a dozen matched pearls here that’s fit for a queen. Big, red, pear-shaped boys—regular bleed- in’ hearts. There’s ten thousand each in them alone." ’ '>■ “Well,- I’ll—ril brew some grog,” gasped Captain Scraggs, and departed forthwith to the galley. Fifteen min utes later he returned with a kettle of his favorite nepenthe and all three adventurers drank to a bon voyage home. At the conclusion of the toast Mr. McGuffey set down his glass, wiped his mouth with the back of hla hairy hand, and thus addressed the syndicate. “In leavin’ this paradise of the South Pacific," he began, '‘we find that we hate accumulated other wealth besides the loot below decks. I refer to his {oyal highness, the king of Kandsvu, and his prime minister, Tabu-Tabu. When these two outlaws was first cap tured, I Informed the syndicate that 1 would scheme out a punishment be- flttln’ their crime, to-wu—luunteiin’ an’ estln’ fou two ^oys. It’s been a big Job and It’s taken some time, me not beta’* blessed with quite as fine an Imagination as our friend, Gib. How ever. I pride myself that hard work al ways brings success, and I am ready to announce what disposition shall be made of these two Interestin' speci mens of aboriginal life." I beg to an nounce. gentlemen, that I have Invent ed a punishment fit tin’ the crime.” “Impossible." said Captain Scragga. “Shut up. Scragga;" struck In Com modore Gthney. “Out with It. Mae. Whafs the program?" “I move you. members of the syndi cate. that the schooner Maggie II pro ceed to some barren, uninhabited island, gnd that upon arrival there this savage king and his still more savage subject be tabes ashore In a “Grea^, great," he murmured. 'T< couldn’t have gotten a better Island If I’d had one built to order.” call^l aft to the navigating officer: “Scrag- gsy, there’s the ring. Nothin’ else to do now but get the contestants fnto It. Along in the late afternoon, when the heat of the day Is over, we’fl go ashofe and pull off the fight. And, by George, Scraggs, If that old king succeeds in -lambastin’ you. I’ll set the rascal free.’’ * Seeing that there was no escape, Captain Scraggs decided to bluff the matter through. “I^et’s go ashore and have It over with," he said carelessly. “I’m a man of peace, but- when there’s flghtln’ to be done, I say go to It and no tomfoolery." “Clear away the big whaleboat with twp men to puli us ashore,” said Mr. Gibney to the mate. Five minutes later the members of the syndicate, ac companied by the captives, climbed Into the whaleboat and shoved off, leaving the Maggie II In charge of the mate. “Well be hack In half an hour,’’ called the commodore, as they rowed away from the schooner. “Just ratch back and forth and keep heavin' the lead." . • - They negotiated the fringe of break ers to the north of the Island success fully, pulley the boat up on the beach, and proceeded at once to business. Mr. Gibney explained to Tahu-Tabu what was expected of him. and Tabu-Tabu In turn explained to the king. It was not the habit of white men. Mr. Gibney explained, to kill their prison era In cold blood, and be had decided to give them an opportunity to fight their nay out of a sad predicament with their naked flsta. If they won. they would he taken back aboard the schooner and later dropped at some Inhabited Island. If they Inat. they most make their home for the future on Tuvana-thoio. “Let 'er go," called McGuffey. and Mr. Glhney squared off and made a haaiilke paaa at Tabu-Tabu. To the ly, spat, and spoke to McGuffey, spto voce: ' "By George, the joke ain’t all on Scrnggsy,” he said. Then turning to Captain Scraggs: “Help yourself to the mustard, Scraggsy, old tarpof.” Captain Scraggs took off his hat, rolled up his sleeves, and made a dive for the royal presence. His majesty, lacking the scientific training of bis prime minister, seixed a handful of the Scraggs nyme'and tore at It cruel ly. A well-directed kick In the shins, howrever, caused him to let go, and a moment later he was flying up the beach with the angry Scragga In full ci^ after him. McGuffey headed the king off and rounded him up sc Soraggs could get at him. and the lat ter at once "dug In" like a terrier After five minutes of mauling and tearing; Captain Scraggs was out. of breath! so he let go and stood off a few feet to sise up the situation. The wicked McGuffey was iaughing Immod erately, hat to . Scragga . It was no laughing matter. The fact of the mat ter was the king was dangerous and Scraggs had glutted himself with re venge. “I d<m’t want to beat an old man to deat*\” he gasped finally. “I’ll let the scoundrel go. lie's had enough and he won’t fight. Let’s money along hack to the schooner and leave them here to arouse themselves the best way the; know how." “Rlght-O,” said Mr. Gibney. and turned to walk down the beach to the boat. A second later a hoarse scream of rage and terror broke from his lips. “What’s upT cried McGuffey, the laughter dying out of his volca, for there was a hint of death In Mr. Ulb- ney’s cry. “Marooned!" said the commodore hoarsely. fXbeae two sailors have pulled back’ to the schooner, and— there—*ook. Mad My Gawd!” McGuffey looked, and his f%re went whiter than the foaming breakers be yond which be could see Maggte II. un- waterfront. and In fSc course of time of his demise by sundry and devious routes came to the oath of Nel|k Halvoraen. Hence “The Squarehead^, was" pux- zled. ,Jn fact, to such, an extent was Veils pnxsled, that nq’e perfectly calm, e!enr night, while oca ting down San ablo hay In hie hay scow, the Wllllev and Annie, he so far, forgot himself and his own itTfalrs ug to concentrate all his attention on the'problem of the ultimate finish of Captain Scraggs. So qpgrossed was Nells In this vain speculation that he neglected to ob- serjg toward the rules of the ocean highways that nicety of attention which Is highly-requisite, even In the skipper bf S pay scow, if the fulsome title of« captain Is to be retained for any definite period. As a result, Nells became confused regarding the exact number of blasts fronrf the siren of s river steamer desiring to pass him to port. Cohsequentiy the Willie and Annie -received such s severe butting from the river steamer in question as to cause her to careen and fill. Being, unfortunately, loaded with gravel on this particular trip, she subsided In continently to the bottom of Sian Pablo bay, while Nells and his crew of two men songht refuge on a plank. Without attempting to go further fnto the details of the misfortunes of Neils Hslvorseu, be It known that the destruction of the WlUle and Annie **Ara You Sure It Ain't All a Dream?" quuntltles ’of |***«rj oysters were brought to the surface, mid these Mr. Gibney stewed i>entonallj In a great Iron pot on the beach. The shell was stored away In the hold and the pearl* went Into a chamois |>ourh w hich never for an Instant was out of the commo dore’* possession. The coast at that point being now deserted, frequent visits ashore were made, and the crew- feasted on young pig, chicken, yams ami; other dellcncles. Captain Scraggs hras almost delirious with joy. He an nounced that he had not been so happy alnce^Mrs. Scraggs “slipped her cable." At the end of two weeks Mr. Glhney decided that there was “loot” enough ashore to complete the schooner’s cargo, and at a meeting of Abe syndi cate held one lovely moonlight night on deck he announced his plans to Captain ^Scraggs and McGuffey. "Better leave the island alone,'* counseled McGuffey. “Them niggers may be a-layin’ there ten thousand strong, waitin’ for a boat’s crew to come'prowlin’ up Into the bush so they can nab ’em." ‘T’ve thought of that, Mac,”'said the commodore a trifle coldly, “and if T made a sucker -of myself once it don’t stand to reason that I’m apt to do it again. Remember, Mac, a burnt child dreads- the fire. .fTomorrow morning, right after breakfast, we'd turn the* guns loose and pepper the* bush for a mile or two In every direction. If there’s a native within range he’ll huve business In the- next county and we won’t be disturbed none." * v Mr. Glbney*’g program was duly put through and the capital of Kandavu looted of the trade accumulations of yeara. And when the hatches were •mall b.*f. I also move you. gentle- I <4 a || prmrnt Tabu Tabn I full headed for the open men of the eyndlcate. that tnaanrerh backward and avoided I The email boat bad been picked up. '*** ,w0 aggHeved parties, A. P. 1 ^ |f!e footwork was excellent Gibney and P. fr-rmgga. having In a Mr <»e*ey remarked as much to ■perrtt of merry refrained fYwm lavin’ | ,-apialn Scragga Rot when Tabu thetr band* o« said pria.«em foe fear ; TllblI |>Qt up hu haur y. the moat of iaraltdta Mietu at a time when their B ppn>red method of self defense and dropped Into a “crouch, r McGuffey could no longer contain himself “The beggar can fight, the beggar I can fight." he croaked, wild with Joy. “Scragga. aid man. this'll be a rarq ! mill. I promise you. He’s been aboard I a British man-o’-war and learned how to box. Steady, Gib. Upper cut hi if!, upper—wow!“ Tahu-Tabu had stepped In and planted i mighty right In the renter of Mr Glhney * physiognomy, following ^fialn Scragga fairly ahrieked the It up with a hard left to the rommo- | '"■» wor,1> (lore’s ear. Mr. Glhney rocked a mo- ; **I'«rd. Olh, old " he raved, “what tnent on his sturdy lags, stepped back ! out of range, dropped both bands, and j stared at Tabu Tabu “I do believe tfig nigger'll lick you, | Olh," said M'-Guffey anxiously., “He’a got a horrible reach and a mule kick j In each nilt. Close with him. or he's | due for a full pardon." “In a mlnutrf" said the commodore of the allly Joke he and M<Guffey had faintly. “He’a so good 1 hate to hnrt thought to penetrate on Captain him. But PH Inflght him to a finish." Scraggs by leading him up against a Which Mr. Gibney forthwith pro- heating at the hands of a cannibal ceeded to do. He rushed his opjtonent ! and with the thought came a and clinched, though not until his right service* waa of Importance ta the ex- | (■edition, he given an opportunity to take oat their grudge oa the persona of said savages. Now, I notice that the king ta a miserable, skimpy, aawed- j off aad hammered down old cove. By | all the rules of the prise ring he's In fleraggay's Hass." (Here Mr. MrGnf- fey flashed a lightning wink ta the , commodore. It was an appeal for Mr. I Glhney’a moral support In the engl- ! neer’a scheme to put up a Job on Cap- | tain Bcragga. and thus relieve the ; tedium of the homeward trip. Mr. Olhoey Instantly telegraphed hla ap- ! probation, and McGuffey continued.). “I notice also that If I waa to hunt the j universe over, I couldn’t find a better ! match for Glh than Tabu Tabu. And i as we are all agreed that the white j race la »n|ierinr to any race on earth, { and It’ll do ua all good (o see a fine mill before we leave the country. I move you. gem lenten of the syndicate, I that we pull off a finish fight Itetween , Scrnggsy and the king, and Gib and i Tabu-Tabu. I'll refereg both contests | and at the conclnsioit of the mixup j weil leave these tyvo murderers ma rooned on the island and then—" “Hats," snapped Captain Scraggs. ’That nln’t no business at all. You shouldn't consider nothin' short of capita) punishment. Why, that’s only a petty larceny form of—" “Quit buttin’ In on my prerogatives," roared McGuffey. “That ain’t the fin ish by no means.” "What is the finish, then?” “Why. these two cannibals, bein’ left alone 'on the desert Island, naturally bumps up agin the old question of the survival of the fittest. They get scrap- pin’ among themselves, and one eats the-other up.’,? “By the toe-nails of Moses," mut tered Mr. Glhney in genuine admira tion, “but you have got an Imagina tion after all, Mac. The point Is well taken and the program will go through as outlined. Scraggs, you’H fight the king. No buckin’ arid grumblin’. Youil fighfc the king. You’re outvoted two to ope, the thing’s been done regular, and jrou c^n’t kick., IT! fight Tahu-Tabu, ad' ypu see you’re not gettin’ any the worst of it. We’ll proceed to an Island In the Friendly group called Tuvana- thoio, It lies right In our homeward course, and there ain’t enough grub on the confounded island to last two men h week. And I know there aln’tf no water there. So, now that that matter Is all settled, w-e will proceed to heave the anchor«and scoot for home. Mac, tune up your engines and weil get otft of here a-whoopln’ and a-flyln’." It was an elght-hnndred-mlle run np to Tuvana-thoio, hut the weather held 1 and there was no doobt that at her (irment rale of speed the schooner wiMikt be hull down on tfie horizon by ( stinset. “The murderin' hound," whispered ; McGuffey, and sagged down on the | sands. “Oh, the murderin' hound of a am to!** ’it's—H's mutiny." gulped Captain Scraggs In a hard, strained video. That bloody fiend of a mate! The oiy sneak-thief, with his pleasant smile and his wlnnln' ways! Haw a chance to steal the Msggle and her rich cargo, and he Is leavin' us here, marooned on a desert Island, with two cannibals." ever will we do?" Thus appealed In. the doughty com modore permitted hla two unmfttrhed optics to rest mournfully upon hts shipmates. . He gulped and thoughtfully rubbed ihe knuckles nf his right hand where the skin was harked off. He thought ‘three TURKISH Friendly VUUHHIA Gentlemen BURLEY The pgsfgct blend of dwthrat parfgct ogerett* tobxToe {si one perfect dgftrrtt* one-eleven cigarettes Death only • matter of ahort tfcnaw Don't wok until peine and achaa become incurable diaaaaao. Avoid painful conaaquencaa by taking GOLD MEDAL ■eat, I “Only One Thine Breaks yn E My Cold hat Dr. It Waa Just a Bquib In th« Shipping v Nawa. finally battened down, the janks re- )RO od and the'trade-winds never slack- filled with' fresh water, and everything In readiness to leave Kandavu for the run to Honolulu. Mr. Gibney announced, to the syndicate that the profit* of the expedition would figure close up to a litmdrwt!’ thousand dollars. ^ Captain Scragga gasped and fell limply against the mainmast. • 7 . ’ * Z “t lib. Ay dear bog.'* he sp^tterMb “are you sure K ain’t* ail a-dream had that weTl wake up uo that «• re attll |u the dag mud find ened. Ten days from the date of leav ing Kandavu they hove to off the Island. It was a tong, low. sandy atoll, with a few cbeontK-pahu* growing In the center of If and with the exception of a vast colony of seabirds that ap parently made It their headquarters, the island was defold of ttfu. _ The bloodthirsty McGuffey afrsid at the break of the poop, aad as he gaaed shoreward he chuckled aa4 rwhhtd ht» Rocked a Moment on Hie Sturdy Le^s. eye was In mourning and a stiff Jolt In the short riba, had caused him to grunt in moat Ignoble fashion. But few men could withstand Mr. Gibney once he got to close quarters. Tabu- Tahu wrap{ted his long ^rms around the commodore and endeavored to smother hla blows, but Mr. Glhney would net he denied. Qls great fist shot upward from the hip and con nected with the cannihar* chin. Tabu- Tabu relaxed'hla hold. Mr. Glhney fol Umreif wltb left and right to the head - n quick eocreuslau, aad MHjuffey waa the fgiut tea over the fallen grim, hard chuckle, though there was the look of a thousand devils In his eyes. “Welt Mac, old s(M»rty hqy, I guess there ain’t mueh to do except to make up our minds to tfte like guptlemen. If I was ever fooled by a man In my life. I was fooled by that doggone mate. I thought he’d tote square with the syn dicate. I sure did." Fora long time McGuffey gazed sea ward. He was slower than his ship mates in making up hla mind that the mate had really deserted them and sailed away with the fortunes of the syndicate. Of the three, however, the stoical engineer accepted the situation with the best grace. He spurned the white sand with his foot and faced Mr. Gibney and Captain Scraggs with Just the suspicion of a grltyon his homely face. ‘.‘I make a motion,” he skid, “that the. syndicate pass a resolution con demnin’ the action, of the mate." It was a: forlorn hope, and the jest went Over the heads of tfie deck de partment. Sajfl Mr Gibney sadly: r "There ain’t no more Maggie II syn dicate.’’ ' ' ^ ‘ CHAPTER xm: $ells Halvoraen often wondered wrhat had become of the Maggie and Captain Scraggs. Mr. Gibney and Bar tholomew McGuffey he knew had turned their sun-tanned faefi toward deep water some yqara before Captain Scraggs and the Maggie disappeared from the environs 6f San Francisco hay, and Nell* Halvoraqp was wise enough to Waste no time wondering what had become of them. These two worthies might he anywhere, and everv conceivable thing under the fun mtghf hare happened to them; hence. In hts Idle moments, Nell* Halvoraen did not disturb his gray matter apuf- u la ting (Si their whereabout* aad their (hen candttlflu of •errHude. But the mutluued aheeRcu of Cap tain proved to he such a severe ahork to Neils' reputation as a safe and sane hay seow skipper that he waa ulti mately forced to seek other and more virgin fields. With the fragments nf his meager fortune, the ambitious Swede purchased a course lu a local nautical school from which he duty I managed to emerge wltb sufficient courage to appear before the United (Hates local Inspector* of hull* and hollers and take his examination for a second mate's rartlflrate. To his un utterable surprise the 11 cense was granted; whereupon he shipped as quartermaster on the stehmer Ala meda, running to Honolulu, and what with the lewwNi taught him In the loss .nit the WIHIf and Annie and tho ex acting duties of his office aboard the •finer, he forgot that he had ever , known Captain Hcraggs. I - Judge of Nells Halvnrsen's surprise, f therefore, upon the occasion of his first trip to Honolulu, when he anw j something which brought the whole matter hack to mind. They were | standing In toward IHnniued head and the Alameda lay hove to taking on the pilot. It was early morning and the purple mists hung over the entrance to the harbor^ Nell* Halvoraen stood at the gangway enjoying the sunrise *6ver the ‘ Punch-bowl, and gianelng longingly toward the vivid green of the hills beyond the city, when he was aware of a “put,” “put," “put." to starboard of the Alameda. Nells turned at the sound Just In time to see a beautiful gasoline schooner of about a hundred and thirty tons head ing In toward the hay. '.She was so close that Neils was enabled to make out that her name was Maggie II. “Veil, gye be dam," muttered Neila, and scratched his head, for the name revived old" memories. An hour later, when the Alameda loafed Into her berth at Brewer’* dock, ^NeUs noticed that the schooner lay at anchor off the quarantine station. That night Neils. Halversen went ashore for those forms of enjoyment peculiar to hts calling, and in the Pan theon saloon, whither his pathway led him, he filled himself with beer and gossip. It was here that Nells came across an item In An jifternobn paper which challenged his instant atten tion. It was just a squib In the* ship ping news, but Nells Halvoraen read It with amazement and Joy: H ib* Tinm-tnad (or iffy yarn more popular than today, d r 1. « h is tW ralM la * Always rvkabia. aad good whola family Haase inf taato anth all ka quahtwa. Ac al drwggvatt. 60 < Dr. Kin New Disc< ^ 0l The Kraul(• of sick haadach—. •kin, waste matter in the system. Correct this tm mining condition by taking Dr. King'* PRk. 25 rent*. All dmegwt*. YX PROMPT! WONT OR1PB Dr. Kjnffs Fills a* ait ■t—alwar* Mnoa *» V.ITCH! Money back wuno if HUNTS OUAKARTMD SKIN DtSBASB BUMKITIKa 1 (Hunt'* Batv« an* Soap), fell in the treatment of Itch, I I !^OdnduZitce!T% this treat ment at our risk Sold by aU reliable drue A.B. Richards Medicine Co, Shorman, 1 OSCAR Af^QlJININf w. a anx connure. KILL RAT: “The power schooner Maggte II arrived this morning, ten days from tho Friendly Islands. The little schooner came Into port with her. hold bursting with tho most valuable cargo that has entered Hono lulu la many years. It consists for the most part of black coral. “The Maggie II Is commanded by Cap* tain Phineae Scragga. aad after taking on provision* and water today will pro ceed te Ban Francisco, tomorrow, for dis charge of cargo " “By ytinlay," quoth Nells Halvoraen, “aye hat >ou that bane de nie man *0 sure a* you bane alive. And aye bat new hat he akall he glad lo see Nstit Halvoraen I gueas aye him Kaaak* hoy an' he haae pall me eat la m . and Almayt mm the gautim STEARNS’ ELECT) RAT & ROACH Pi t» forme tksse I teed hash 1 tala tlattl ■esndaUk C.S.!