The Argosy, January 1906 — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

cau - ) Oe a a = = ~ 3 , The sixth and Mr. J. He didn’t touch me. 270 Captain Hackett planted each hit true, fighting coolly, his mind now per- fectly clear. The others fought like madmen, most of their blows gomg wild. With all their numbers, they were scarcely a match for the plucky little captain. But the great odds began to tell. At the end of three minutes’ fighting Cap- tain Hackett had been thrown upon his back, the Cannon was at his throat, Ad- miral Dewey was pommeling him upon the breast. . Suddenly the Admiral ceased oper- ations and jumped to his feet. “Spanish reinforcements coming!” he shouted. “ Retreat! Retreat!” Half a dozen guards, followed by the stout visitor, came tearing down upon the group. The old men fled in every direction. Five of the guards pursued them. Titus, the visitor, helped the captain to his feet. “ You’ve saved my life, whoever you are,” said Titus, grasping the captain’s hand warmly. « Man, yow’re bleeding all over. Hadn’t we better hurry him to the doctor, guard?” The onard produced a pair of hand- eufis from his pocket, and with a move- ment to put them on the captain, re- pled: “Yes; but this man’s like the others, and we’ll have to get him into brace- ee? “No, you won’t!” shouted the stran- ger “That man’s as sensible as you or He defended me against the others at the risk of his own life, and Pll not see him put in irons.” “The stranger’s right, guard,” said the captain coolly. “Tm as sensible as you or he. [ve got. the nuttiness ee knocked out of me.’ “T’ll test him,” whispered the guard to Titus. Then, addressing the captain, he asked: “ Aren’t you a life-preserver ? Come, now, tell the truth.” “No, sir,” replied the captain with energy, “I’m not. I thought I was up to a few minutes ago, but when I got into the scrap with that mutinous crew one of *em gave me a whack on the head that brought me back to my senses. You needn’t smile; it’s true. THE ARGOSY. Yesterday I was made of cork, or thought I was, and maybe I was as crazy as the rest; but to-day I’m Captain Thomas Hackett. of the schooner Three Boys.” “Captain Hackett! Thomas Hack- ett!” exclaimed the corpulent gentle- man in astonishment. “ Do you mean to say that you’re the Captain Hackett who used to belong to the life-saving crew at Atlantic City?” Aye, aye; sirt sir!” “ Well, if that don’t beat the George Titus was too astounded to complete the sentence. “You Cap Hackett! You! Yes, you are. I see it now. Well, I neve: expected to find the bravest man or the coast in this place. You’ve saved my life for the second time to-day. Do you remember the first time, eleven years ago, when you pulled me half-drowned out of the water at Atlantic City?” “IT think maybe I do, sir,” Hackett. “I believe I remember you now. My memory’s coming back, but I can’t think of your name.” “Well, its Titus—George ‘Titus. And I want to tell you, Cap, that George Titus has been looking high and low over this earth for you ever since you saved his hfe that first time. I couldn’t get track of you anywhere. I’ve always had it in my mind to do something handsome for you, and I’m going to do it now!” “Youre not going to take me away from here—from this crazy place, are you?” demanded the captain doubt- fully, his eyes growing bright with sud- den hope. “Yes, that’s what I’m going to do. And more, too. I’m going to find you a decent home for the rest of your days.” Captain Hackett fell upon his knees; tears filled the eyes that had so sudden- ly grown bright. “You'll take me away—to the sea?” he pleaded. “ Anywhere.” “The sea,” sobbed the old man. “Take me there. Ill see the water again, I'll feel it, ’11 smell it, I’ roll in it. Take me to the sea. I don’t need a home. I only want the sea.” The very same, replied comicbook (ef 0)