Tip Top Library: Frank Merriwell in the South Seas — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

FRANK MERRIWELL IN THE SOUTH SEAS. 19 danger of being knocked on the head by!curring the doctor overtook his young some moving piece of machinery. com panion. It grew a little lighter the farther they; Jt proved that a second Chinese was in descended, but it was still densely dark | hiding near the spot, but that the ap- along most of the footboards and nobody | proach of two men was not suspected. was yet in view below. Accordingly the second Chinese was Frank and the doctor proceeded very ' not so well prepared with a noose for th slowly, for they were aware that haste; doctor as the first had been for Frank. might give a warning of their approach | Dr. Rayburn could see what had ap- and completely ruin their chances of suc- pened and he could see his own assaliant, cess. The racket of the fight on deck! too. could be heard distinctly, though more | Before the second Chinese could mure faintly, as they descended, and they hoped | than raise his noose the doctor had !aid that the Chinese in the engine room hold would feel secure from interruption aS|pyrled him down the rem long as all the ship’s crew were sup- posedly engaged in battling for life above. Save for the rumbling of the engine all was still. Frank at last could see the floor of the engine room quite plainly, and as yet there was no visible sign of an enemy. All at once a light rustling behind him caused him to turn and throw up both hands quickly. His hands were brought sharply against his face by a noose that an unseen foe had tried to slip over his head. The thin but strong cord cut into his wrists, for the murderous Celestial was pulling at the ends with all his strength. Frank turned, vainly trying to release his hands, and caught a glimpse of his assailant in the shadow of a a be side a footboard. | The boy promptly resorted to a trick that a grown man with hardened muscles could not have accomplished unless he was an athlete especially trained for 1t. He made a high kick, catching the Chi- nese. squarely. under the jaw, dislocating the bone and causing the fellow to tumble | backward upon the footboard. Startled by the kick and the pain it in- flicted, the Celestial let go the cord and Frank’s arms were free. In the short space while this was oc- aining flight of steps to the engine-room floor. As there was no longer need of proceed- ing quietly, the doctor hurried after him. Frank paused only long enough to spring upon his would-be murderer, give hima stunning blow on the forehead with his fist, and slip the noose over the Celestial’s wrists. He drew the cord tight, knotted it securely, and then sprung down the steps after Dr. Rayburn, arriving at the bottom almost at the same instant. They were greeted and brought to bay = with a‘savage chuckle leveled two revolvers at them. It was he who had acted as spokesman for the boat load in the early morning. ‘Fah! he said triumphantly, ‘‘Rng- Jlees man, Melican man allee samee no good. You allee samee die, allee same two, mebbe, eh?’’ His eyes gleamed viciously behind the shining barrels of his weapons. Dr. Rayburn was unarmed. Frank hastily raised the revolver he had wrested from the Celestial on deck aud pulled the trigger. The weapon missed fire. ‘“ Alle samee no good,’’ chuckled the Chinese. ‘‘You die now pretty soon; me make you dance first, allee samee good fun. My guns, allee samee Melican man GONRMGOOOKS of him, struck himin the face and by a Chinese, who stepped out ofa dark (CO