Tip Top Library: Frank Merriwell in the South Seas — page 24: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

22 der of the officers and the capture of the engine room could be effected at the time when the bo’s’n’s whistle should sound. That was to be the signal for their final effort. It was a little to their disadvan- tage that the captain ordered out the sec- ond watch ahead of time, but when all was known about the battle, it was only too sadly apparent that the Chinese had made a fearful and costly fight of it. The terrified passengers had been kept below by the stewards, who were only less frightened themselves. As soon as the conflict was well over the first officer and the .captain went to the saloon to explain matters and assure the passengers that all danger was past. Frank’s share in the affair was made known by the officers, and the result was that the boy was overwhelmed with praise and congratulations. To escape it he pleaded extreme weari- ness and retired to his room. His excuse was genuine, for the excite- ment left him completely exhausted. He was no longer nervous, however, and the moment he lay down he was sound asleep, and remained so for many hours, Kyto was waiting for him 1 in the saloon when he awoke. : The Jap smiled delightedly and shook Frank warmly by the hand. “You gleat man, Flank,’ he «said; “but what me tell you? Chinese velly had, ehe’’ “Yes, Kyto; you. were right that time. ’? ‘“You no wonder I fear for Saso: o “Certainly not; but, Kyto, I'll tell you something. ”’ “What, Flank??? = | “*Tf. I had it ali to do again I think I should do just about the same things.’ K yto’s eyes opened wide in astonish- ment. ‘‘Allee samee?’ he cried. “Exactly.” FRANK MERRIWELL IN THE SOUTH SEAS, ‘‘Let pilates come board ship?” ‘‘As long, Kyto, as there was a chance |that the men might be what they claimed to be, distressed sailors, I should take care of them. I never would run the risk of turning men adrift on the open sea just because of a possibility that they might be criminals. See?” ‘“Kiven if they were Chinese ?’’ | ‘‘Rven if they were Chinese, Kyto, or Malays, or negroes, or Dutchmen, or—or Japs, Kyto.” Kyto failed to understand. ‘*T like you, Flank,’ he said. ina dis couraged tone; ‘‘but you allee samee velly stlange fellow.” Frank did not try to explain farther. He might have found it difficult to per- suade some of the white men on board that generosity is always best. Such of the Chinese as escaped slaugh- ter in the terrific fight were handed over to law officers when the Glasgow arrived at Canton, which she did three days later, without farther incident of a serious nature. CHAPTER VI. THE ENGLISH GENTLEMAN’S STORY. Frank’s stay in Canton was very brief. He had hardly settled himself at a hotel before a servant brought him a card and said that the gentleman was anxious to see him without delay. | ‘¢ ‘Ralph Gillette, Park Lane, London,’”? Frank read on the card. ‘‘Wonder who he is and what he can want with me? He must be a swell of the most howling kind if he really Iivesin Park Lane. I understand that only the nobility or tre- mendous millionaires live there. » ‘“Where is. Mr. Gillette?’ he asked aloud of the waiting servant. “In the reception room, your lord- ship.”’ This answer was delivered with the most perfect gravity. Frank looked sharply at the man and could hardly re- strain a hearty laugh. ‘‘That makes it certain,’’ he said to himself, ‘‘that Mr. Gillette is a howling swell. This isan English hotel. This servant is a Britisher, and either he thinks that any friend of Mr. Gillette must be a nobleman, or he imagines that COnvIC AOOLK CO