Adventure, February 20, 1922 — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

Fish for the Gunner He then turned to Beans. | “What were you steering by, lad?” “Had this little pocket compass,’’ Beans replied. ' “Give it to them,” said Blackie shortly. “‘And now, you two birds, I’m going to give it to you straight. I’m going to trail the dingey astern of me, and you, in the skiff, astern of the dingey. From what little I know of this mess I think we’ll be able’ to send the pair of you over the road. At any rate I promise you we'll try—if you’re still astern of us when we get to the rock. I’m too low on gas to chase you up, in case you decide to cut loose. If you do cut loose re- member, dead east’ll bring you up some- where on the coast between here and Mexico.” The boats strung out astern, as the Dolly Dean swung around and once more bucked into it. Graveyard fidgeted beside Blackie at the wheel. He didn’t know whether to call him Mr. Blackhurst, Rummy—he never had known Rummy’s first name. “Gunner, old-timer—”’ he finally began. ‘So you thought the young rat was coming out to take your bungalow, eh? Had me doped out for one of those I’m-an- officer-and-a-gentleman birds, eh?” - For a moment Graveyard was stumped for a reply. ——’s fire, Rum—er, gunner,” he finally blurted out, “] didn’t know it was you! Forgot your name. As for the bungalow— that goes to you automatically. Even if it didn’t I’d be glad to turn it over to you. For after what you ve done today everything I’ve got is yours.” “T don’t want your dump," said Blackie. “You see, old shipmate, it’s like this. Since getting a nibble of this officer stuff I’ve come to want a whole mouthful. I figure there’s nothing to stop me from making ensign and going right on up if I once get back to the books again—I’ve been too busy lapping up 69 Asiatic red-eye these past six years to soak up higher mathematics and theory. ‘And so when I heard the rock personnel was to be increased, and that a gunner was to have charge, I thought of my old den, the dog-house. Just the nice quiet little place I wanted for a year or so. But nothing do- ing on the bungalow. What do you think of our little speed-boat? Ain’t she a lulu?’ There was a sudden, very slight yet per ceptible quickening of engine throbs, and ° the Dolly Dean lurched forward a trifle faster. The men in the cockpit looked astern into the blackness. “T think they’ve cut loose, Mr. Black- -hurst,” said Simple. “Can we account for that skiff?” said Blackie to Graveyard. “Sure. I can fix that O. K. on my quart- erly report.” “Satisfied to let them go? Save us a lot of inconvenience.’ f “Glad to get rid of them.”’ A little later they came within hearing of Fog Rock’s whistle. Nearing midnight they found the landing. “Sure feels like coming home to put my hoofs on this old rock,”’ said Blackie, as they started up the path ‘that led over the hill and down to the radio station on the other side. ‘That dog-house’ll look good in the morning. That place is the nearest I've ever had to a real home.” He then directed his voice over his shoul- der saying: “How about it, cook? Do you feed fish once in a while?” “Fish any time you want ’em, sir,” re- sponded Beans. “Atta boy,” enthused Blackie. ‘Tell all the gang that any time they want to run in to Felgo, instead of hailing a fish-boat, just jump into the Dolly Dean. the gang.” She belongs to Eomichook Eo