Adventure, November 1915 — page 64: what you’re looking at

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

62 packing them over to the Wavecrest that would be the end of it. Anyhow we could never get them up that cliff until they were ashore. We'll have to bury them again, temporarily. T’ve got the place. We'll sink them in one of these pools under the seaweed. Take the big one by the stem of Fellowes’ schooner. ‘That'll serve as pointer. When the tide comes in they’ll be safer than they ever were in the cave. “Then we'll tackle our visitors. They’ll never dream of looking for them under the water, and I’ve got a plan to put them off the scent altogether.” They carried the heavy boxes to the rock- rimmed pool and sunk them to the bottom, thrusting them beneath great beards of weed that effectually hid them from all view, save that of the startled and protest- ing rock-fish, and left the incoming tide to play guardian. Then, suddenly conscious of exhaustion and the need of food, they climbed back to the ridge. Beyond the reef, the Lei Lehua was tacking up for the entrance. They hurried with Selim to the shore of the lagoon and reached the Wavecrest before the other schooner had negotiated the pas- sage. “Down below with you, Peggy!” cried Addams. “Orders! You can help Selim get us something hot to eat and drink. They know you’re aboard, of course, but there’s no good showing yourself. They’re a tough crowd, but I think we can handle - them. You're all tired out. Better try and get some sleep.” “Sleep!” exclaimed the girl indignantly. “Sleep! While you’re fighting off that crowd of pirates?” ‘There isn’t going to be any fighting, for the present, I think,” said Addams, “I’m going to try a bluff on them. I’m going to tell them we couldn’t find it. It may work. | Help me get the rifles loaded, Jim; it’s as well to be prepared, and we’ll serve out the automatics.” The Let Lehua, in somewhat lubberly fashion, made the lagoon in safety, and dropped anchor about a quarter of a mile away. There was a commotion of orders and men handling the sails, which were finally furled in bungling style, A boat was launched and pulled toward the Wavecrest. In the stern were Tuan Yuck and Henley, with four Chinese effectively handling the oars. Adventure CHAPTER XXIII ADDAMS PLAYS AT CHESS WITH TUAN YUCK DDAMS went to the rail as the boat came alongside. “Keep your boathook clear there!’’ he shouted. ‘What do you want?” “We want to come aboard and have a \ . talk with you, Mr. Addams,” said Henley, \ “me and Tuan Yuck here. You’ve been too smart for us this first trick, but the game ain’t played out by a long shot. There’s twenty men with us who ain’t feelin’ over . an above good-tempered. Might’s right when it comes to hard cash. We’re four to one. Better let us come aboard for a chat. Maybe we can come to terms.” Addams appeared to be reflecting. ‘“‘Who am I dealing with?” he demanded. “One’s enough!” Tuan Yuck looked up imperturbably. “You'll deal with me,” he said. “Then you can come,” returned Addams, “but you alone. Come ’round to the side ladder.” Henley started to bluster, but a look from Tuan Yuck quieted him. The boat came around to the starboard side, the Chinaman ascended the ladder, looking keenly about him and at Addams’ orders the men rowed a short distance away and lay on their oars. Tuan Yuck surveyed Ah Sing and his two compatriots with the hint of a smile. His eyes took in everything with a swift sweep, from deck to mast-trucks. Then he turned to Addams and Winton. “Shall we talk on deck?’’ he asked. Addams nodded. “T have to congratulate you,” he said. “T have a suspicion as to how you got out. Of course you had trailed that blundering fool Henley with his idiotic disguise he was so proud of. I am glad the young lady is no longer uncomfortable. But it seems to mea dangerous place for her aboard. It may have occurred to you the same way?” Addams and Winton kept silent. “We overlooked this schooner, too,” went on the Chinaman. “I understood her owner was on the coast and she could not be obtained. That was more of Henley’s asininity. I only came into the matter at the last moment. I regret that Henley should have fired at you. It was unneces- sary. Bloodshed is unpleasant—unless as a last resort.” (€@) Ook (Cc) 3