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Show SOUTH CACHE COURIER. IIYRUM, UTAH ea rtrat By PETER B. KYNE c Author of "WEBSTER "THE MANS MAN Etc VALLEY OF THE GIANTS, Copyright, by Peter B. Kyne CHAPTER XI 12 Continued. "Well, whats In the wind this time? Inquired McGuffey. "We're invited to a big feed with the king of Kandavu, replied Captain Scraggs, as happy os a boy. Hop Into a clean suit of ducks, Mac, and, come along. Gibs goln to broach a little keg of liquor and well make a night of It. Good lord, groaned McGuffey, does the man think Im low enough to eat with niggers? Leave him to his own devices, said Mr. Gibney, Indulgently. Macs Just as Irish as If he'd been born in Dublin, Instead of his old mnn. Nobody yet overcome the prejudice of an Irishman so well do the honors ourself, Scraggsy, old skittles, and leave Mac In charge of the ship. "Mind youre both back at a seasonable hour, warned McGuffey. If you aint. Ill suspect mischief and say! Gib! Well, whats the use of talkin to a man with an Imagination? Only !f I have to go ashore after you two, those Islandersll date time from my visit, and dont you forget It. Upon arrival at the beach the two adventurers were met by a contingent of frightful-lookinsavages bearing long spears. As the procession formed around the guests of honor and plunged into the bush, bound for the sings wari, two Island maidens wav-.n- g marched behind the two huge palm-lea- f fans, the better to make the passage a' cool and comfortg sea-dog- s, able one. By the gods of war, Gib, my dear said the delighted CaptalD ooy, but this Is class, eh,. Gib? Scraggs, "Every time, responded the commo-lore- . McGufIf that chuckle-headefey only had the sense to come along ae might be enjoyin himself, too. You must be dignified, Scraggsy, old salamander. Remember that youre an beter'n any king, because joure an American citizen. Be dignified, by all means. These people are sensitive and peculiar, and thats why we havent taken any weapons with us. If they thought we doubted their Hospitality theyd have the court bouncer heave us out of town before you could say Jack Robinson. Id love to see them giving the bounce to McGuffey, said Captain Scraggs, musingly. Mr. Gibney had a swift mental picture of such a proceeding and chuckled happily. Had he been permitted a glance at McGuffey at that moment he might have observed that worthy sweltering in the heat of the forward hold of the Maggie II, for he was busy getting his guns on Seek. From which It will readily be Seduced that B. McGuffey, Esquire, was following the advice of his paternal ancestor and getting an anchor jut to windward. One might go on at great length and Jescrlbe the triumphal entry of Commodore Gibney and Captain Scraggs :nto the capltol of Kandavu ; of how :he king, an undersized, shriveled old savage, stuck his bushy head out the window of his bungalow when he saw .he procession coming; of how a min-lt- e later he advanced Into the space m the center of his wari, where In the jlden days the populace was wont to gather for its cannibal orgies; how be greeted his distinguished visitors with the most prodigious rubbing of noses seen in those parts for many j day ; of the feast that followed ; of the fowls and pigs that garnished the restive board, not omitting the keg of Three Star thoughtfully provided by d big-.je- r Mr. Gibney. acted as Interpreter and went swimmingly until his hospitality doubtless strengthened by frequent libations of :he Elixir of Life, begged Mr. Gibney to invite the remainder of his crew ishore for the feast. Mr. Gibney, himself rather Illuminated by this time, thought it might not be a bad Idea. Its a rotten shame, Scraggsy, he said, "to think of that fool McGuffey not bein here to enjoy himself. Im goln to send a note out by one of s boys, askin him :ince more to come ashore, or to let the first mate and one or two of the seamen come if Mac still refuses to be Tabu-Tab- u everything Tabu-Tab- Tabu-Tabu- civil. Good times to the point of his jaw, rubbed the small of his back, and once he touched his nose; whereupon Mr. Gibney was aware that the said organ had a slight list to port, and he so informed Captain Scraggs. Neither of the gentlemen had the slightest trouble In arriving at the correct solution of the mystery. The royal messenger had been Incontinently kicked overboard by B. McGuffey, Esquire. s wild eyes glittered and wilder and wilder as the mesgrew senger reported the Indignity thus heaped upon him. The king scowled at Captain Scraggs, and Mr. Gibney was suddenly aware that goose-fleswas breaking out on the backs of his sturdy legs. He had a haunting sensation that not only had he crawled Into a hole, but he had pulled the entire aperture In after him. For the first time he began to fear that he had been too precipitate, and with the thought It occurred to the gallant commodore that he would be much safer back on the decks of the Maggie IL Always crafty and Imaginative, however, Mr. Gibney came quickly to the front with an excuse for getting back to the ship. He stepped quickly toward the little group around the outraged royal ambassador, and inquired the cause of the disturbance. QuiverInformed ing with rage, Tabu-Tabhim of whnt had occurred. Mr. Gibneys rage, of course, knew no bounds. Nevertheless, he did not have to simulate his rage, for he was truly furious. When he could control his emotions,' he requested Tabu-Tabto Inform the king that he, Gibney, accompanied b.v Captain Scraggs, would forthwith repair to the schooner and then and there flay the offending McGuffey within an inch of his life. Suiting the action to the word, Mr. Gibney called to Captain Scraggs to follow him, and started for the beach. As Captain Scraggs arose, a trtfle unsteadily, from his seat, a black hand reached around him from the reaf and closed over his mouth. Now, Captain Scraggs was well versed In the tactics of the San Francisco waterfront; hence, when he felt a long pair of arms crossing over, his neck from the rear, he merely stooped and whirled his opponent over his head. In that instant his mouth was free, and clear above the shouting and the tumult rose his frenzied shriek for Mr. Gibney whirled with the help. speed and agility of a panther Just In time to dodge a blow from a war club. His fist collided with the Jaw of and down went that savage as if Pandemonium broke loose at once. Captain Scraggs, after his single shriek for help, broke from the circle of savages and fled like a frightened rabbit for the beach. One of the natives hurled a rock at him. The missile took Scraggs In the back of the head, nnd he instantly curled up in a heap. Seraggsys dead, thought the horrified Gibney, and sprang at the king. In that moment it came to Mr. Gibney to sell out dearly, and if he could dispose of the king, he felt that Scraggs death would be avenged. In an instant the commodores great arms had closed around the king, and with the helpless monarch In his grizzly bear grip Mr. Gibney backed up against the nearest bungalow. A fringe of spears threatened him in front, but for the moment he was safe behind, and the kings body protected him. Whenever one of the savnges made a jab at Mr. Gibney, Mr. Gibney gave the king a squeeze, and the monarch howled. Ill squeeze him to death, panted Mr. Gibney to Tabu-Tabwhen that individual had managed to pick himLet me go, or Ill kill your self up. Tabu-Tabu- h u u, Tabu-Tab- u Tm going to do to get you back, dead holler. or alive. I dunno. It was fully half an hour before poor McGuffey could pull himself together, and when he did, his grief was superseded by a fit of rage that was terrible to behold. .Step lively, you blasted scum of the seas, he bawled to the mate, and the crew gathered around the gun. "Lug up a case of ammunition and well shell that bush until even a parrot wont be left alive In It" Aye, aye, sir, responded the crew to a man, and sprang to their task. Im an old navy gunner," said the first mate quietly. "Ill handle the gun. With a gun Its Just like playing a garden hose on them, shell Instead of only Its water. I can search out every nook and cranny In the coast of this Island. Those guns are sighted up to 4,000 yards. Kill em all," raved McGuffey, kill all the blasted niggers." When Mr. Gibney fell under the Impact of the earthenware pot he was only partially stunned. As he tried to struggle to his feet half a dozen hands were laid on him and In a trice he wras lifted and carried back of the wari to a dear space where a dozen heavy teakwood posts stood In a row about pom-po- high-explosi- ve u pole-axe- rough-and-tumb- le Tabu-Tab- u, pom-po- I ln u u bloody-hande- d Tabu-Tabu- s, four feet apart. Mr. Gibney was quickly stripped of his clothing and bound hand and foot to one of these posts. Three minutes later another delegation of cannibals arrived, bearing the limp, naked body of Captain Scraggs, whom they bound in similar fashion to the post beside Mr. Gibney. Scraggs was very while and bloody, but conscious, and his eyes were flickering like a snakes. Whats whats the meanln of this, Gib? he gasped. It means, replied the commodore, that its all off but the shouting with me and you, Scraggsy. This fellow is a d d traitor, and his people are still cannibals. Hes the decoy to get white men' ashore. They schemed to treat us nice and be friendly until they could get the whole crew ashore, br enough of them to leave the ship helpless, and then 0 Gawd, Scraggsy, old man, can you ever forgive me for gettin you Into this? Captain Scraggs hung his head and king. quivered like a hooked fish. Will they eat us? he quavered, The answer was an earthenware pot which crashed down on Mr. Gibneys finally. Mr. Gibney did not answer, only head from a window In the bungalow behind him. He sagged forward and Captain Scraggs looked Into his horfell on his face with the gasping king rified eyes and read the verdict. Die game, Scraggsy," was all Mr. In his arms. Don't show the Gibney could say. white feather." CHAPTER XII. Dye think McGuffey could bear us On board the Maggie II B. McGuffey, from here if we was to yell for help? Esquire, had Just gotten 'into position inquired Captain Scraggs hopefully. s Dont yelp, for Gawds sake, imthe gun on We got ourselves top of the house. The last bolt that plored Mr, Gibney. held it In place had Just been screwed Into this, so lets pay the fiddler ourtight when clear nnd shrill over the selves. If we let out one yip and Mctops of the jungle nnd across the still Guffey hears it, hell come ashore with surface of the little bay there floated his crew and tackle this outfit, even If he knows hell get killed. And thats to McGuffeys ears the single word : Help just what will happen to him If he Let poor Mac stay nboart. McGuffey leaned against the gun, comes. nnd for the moment he was as weak When we dont come back, hell know os a child. he muttered, its all off, and if he has time to think Gawd, over It hell realize It would be foolish that was Scraggsy and theyre to eat him up. Oh, Gib, Gib, old man, to try to do anything. But right now why wouldnt you listen to me? Now Macs mad as a wet hen, and If we u Die game. Captain Scraggs turned his terrified glance on Mr. Gibneys tortured face. Scraggs was certainly a coward at heart, but there was something in Mr. Gibneys unselfishness that touched a spot in his hard nature a something he never knew he possessed. He bowed his head and two big tears stole down his weatherbeaten face. God bless you, Glh, my dear boy," he said brokenly. Youre a man." At this Juncture the king came tip and thoughtfully felt of Captain Tabu-TabScraggs In the short ribs, while calculated the precise amount of luscious tissue on Mr. Gibneys frame. Blmeby we eat white man," said Tabu-Tabcheerfully. "If you eat me, you snapped Captain Scraggs, beggar, Ill plzen you. Ive chawed tobacco all my life, and my meats as bitter as wormwood." It was too funny to hear Scraggs Jesting with death. Mr, Gibney forgot his own mental agony and roared with s face. The laughter In cannibal stood off a few feet and looked searchlngly In the commodores eyes. He was not used to the brand of white man who could laugh under such circumstances, and he suspected treachery of some kind. He hurried over to Join the king and the two held a hurried conversation. As a result of their conference, a huge savage was called over nnd given some instruchanded him a war tions. Tabu-Tabclub and Mr. Gibney, rightly conjecturing that this was the official executioner, bowed his head and Waited for the blow. It came sooner than he expected. The earth seemed to rise up and smite Adelbert P. Gibney across the face. There was a roar, as of an explosion in his ears, and he fell forward on his face. He had a confused notion that when he fell the post came with him. For nearly a minute he lay there, and then something warm, dripping across his face, roused him. He moved, and found that his feet were free, though his hands were still bound to the post, which lay extended along his back. He rolled over and glanced up. Captain Scraggs was shrieking. By degrees the bells quit ringing In the commodores ears, and this is what he heard Captain Scraggs yelling: Oh, you bully Oh, you McGuffey. Irish terrier. Soak it to em, Mac. Kill the beggars. Youve got a dozen of em already. Plug away, you good old hunk of Irish bacon. ' Mr. Gibney was now himself once more. He struggled to his feet, and as he did, something burst ten feet away and a little fleecy cloud of smoke obscured his vision for a moment. Then he understood. McGuffey had a rapid-firgun trained on the wari, and the savages, with frightful yells, were fleeing madly from the little shells. Half a dozen of them lay dead and wounded close by. Hooray, yelled Mr. Gibney, and dashed at the post which held Captain Scraggs prisoner. He struck it a powerful blow with his shoulder and Scraggs and the post crashed to the ground. In nn instant Mr. Gibney was on his knees, tearing at Scraggs rope shackles with his teeth. Five minutes later, Captain Scraggs hands were free. Then Scraggs did a like service for Gibney. ,, All the time the shells from the Maggie II were bursting around them every second or two, and it seemed as if they must be killed before they could make their escape. As they tore along through the jungle path Mr. Gibneys good right eye (his left was obscured) detected two savages crouching behind a clump of coco palms. Theres the king and Lets round the begyeiled Scraggs. gars up." Sure, responded the commodore. Well need em for hostages If were to get that black coral. Well turn em over to McGuffey. ' u d. Maxim-Vicker- said Captain idea, Gib, Scraggs, his mouth full of roast chicken and yams. So Mr. Gibney tore a Daf out of his pocket memorandum book, scrawled a note to McGuffey, and handed It to Tabu-Tabwho at once dispatched a messenger with It to the Maggie II. Within half an hour the messenger returned, ne was wildly excited and poured a torrent of native gibberish luto the Attentive cars of and the king. He pointed several theyve got you, and what In blazes holler for help licked his lower Up as the trembling monarch and his prime minister. In response to a severe application of Mr Gibneys hands and feet, came flying over the rail. Mr. Gibney and Captain Scraggs followed. Im much obliged to you, Mac, said Mr. Gibney, striving bravely to appear jaunty. One of your first shots came between my legs and cut the rope that held me. and banged me and the post I was tied to all over the lot A fragment of the shell appears to have taken away part of my ear, but I guess Ill recover. Were pretty well shook up, Mac, old socks, and a Jolt of whisky would be In order after Scraggsy, please dont youve put the irons on these two pale-blue- Tabu-Tab- u e Tabu-Tab- u, can-nibal- s. At C:30 oclock of the morning ot the day following the frightful experi. ence of Commodore Gibney and Captain Scraggs with the cannibals of Kandavu, the members of the Maggie II syndicate faced each other across the breakfast table with appetites in no wise diminished by the exciting events of the preceding day. McGuffey surveyed his superior offl. cers, cursed them bitterly, and remarked, with tears of joy in his honest eyes, that both gentlemen had evaded their Just deserts when they escaped with their lives. If It hadnt been for the mate," said McGuffey severely, Id a let you two boobies suf. fer the penalty for your foolishness. Any man that goes, to work and fraternizes with a cannibal aint got no 'kick cornin If hes made up Into chicken curry with rice. Th minute I hear old Scraggsy ylppln for help, says I to myself, let the beggars fight their own way out of. the mess. But the mats comes up and says hes pretty sure he can come near plantin a mess of shells in the center of the disturbance, even li we cant see the wari on account of the Jungle. Its all off with the commodore and the skipper, says the mate, so we might just as well have vengeance on their murderers. So, of course, when he put It that way I give my consent At this juncture the mate, passing around McGuffey on his way to the deck, winked solemnly at Mr. Gibney, who hung his head In simulated shame. When the mate had left the cabin the commodore pounded with his fork on the cabin table and announced a special meeting of the Maggie II syndicate. The first business before the meeting, said Mr. Gibney, is to readjust the ownership in the syndicate. Me and Scraggsys had our heads together, Mac, and weve agreed that youve .inshot your way into a full terest, Instead of a quarter as heretofore. From now on, Mac, youre an equal owner with me and Scraggsy, and now that that matters settled, you can quit rippln it into us on the race question and suggest whats to be and done in the case of Tabu-Tab- u this cannibal king that almost lured me and the navigatin officer to our destruction." 1 have the villains In double Irons and chained to the mainmast, replied McGuffey, and as a testimonial of my gratitude for the Increased Interest In the syndicate which 'you and Scraggs has just voted me, I will scheme up a flttin form of vengeance on them two tar babies. However, only an extraordinary sentence can fit such an extraordinary crime, so I must have time to think It over. These two bucks Is mine to do what I please with and Ill take any Interference as unnelghborly and unworthy of a shipmate. Take em, said Captain Scraggs For my part only ask vehemently. one thing. If you can see your way clear, Mac, to give me the kings scalp for a tobacco pouch, Ill be obliged. added the commodore,' And I, s shin Lone for. would like a clarionet. Pendin McGuffeys reJ flections on the hamperin of, crime in Kandavu, however, well turn our attention to the prime object of the expedition. Weve had our little fun and its high time we got down to business.) It will be low tide at nine oclock, so, I suggest, Scraggs, that you order the mate and two seamen out in the big whaleboat, together with the divin apparatus, and well go after pearl oysters and black coral. AS for you, Mac, suppose you take the other boat and Tabu-Taband the king, and help the mate. Take a rifle along with you, and make them captives dive for pearl oysters until theyre black In the face Huh! muttered the What are they now? Sky McGuffey. blue? Of course, continued the commodore, If a tiger shark happens along and picks the niggers up, It aint none of our business. As for me and Scraggsy, well sit on deck nnd smoke. My head aches and I guess Scraggsys in,, a similar fix. Anythin to be agreeable," acquiesced McGuffey. any-ho- war-wor- n - one-thir- d X Tabi-Tabu- u single-minde- d Id better ease Up a minute, sir," The said the mate to Mr. McGuffey. guns getting fearful hot. Let her melt," raved McGuffey, but keep her workin for all shes (TO BE CONTINUED.) worth. Ill have revenge for Gibs I mackerel death, or sufferin Hokum. McGuffey once more sat down on Civilization is largely the escape of He pointed the cabin ventilator. How dumbly to the beach, and there, pad- the race from a belief In hokum. Alin? believe do hokum you much to off were the two n, Maggie dling naked cannibals and two naked white ways some. men' In a canoe. Five minutes later A friend In speech but not In deed they came alongside. McGuffey met an no true friend to a friend In need. he at smiled lg the rail, them and N ik |
