Adventure, November 1915 — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

The Gold Lust As the train, running back to Honolulu, skirted the shore of the eastern arm of the Pearl locks, they saw a dingy schooner un- loading wood, moored to a wharf. The mainsail hung down at the peak. On it was a big patch. The broad stern showed the name, Lez Lehua, in tarnished gilt let- tering. “That’s the tub we might have got,” said Addams. ‘That schooner of Stevens’s will go by her like a steamer.” 3 “What was the name of Mr. Stevens’s yacht?” asked Peggy. “I didn’t notice.”’ “The Wavecrest. Ill put you in a taxi for the hotel, Peggy, if you don’t mind, while I scout up the office. I hope Jim got the sailors. We'll rig the Wavecrest and sail up to Honolulu and load there. We should get away tomorrow night, if I can get him by cable.” Addams reached the hotel at the end of the afternoon.” “T got the cable rushed,” he said tri- umphantly. ‘Here’s the answer.” Winton and his sister bent over the pink slip. “Wavecrest yours,” it read. ‘Take Ah Sing.” | “That’s something like a pal,” said Jim with enthusiasm. “I think I’ve got the men, Archer. Got one sure. We're to meet him tonight on the water-front at a sailor’s hang-out called the “Fore and Aft.” He'll have his mate with him.” “Native?” “No. Portuguese, named Silva. Claims to be an able seaman. Says he’s worked on yachts, and seems to know what he’s talk- ing about.” CHAPTER XII AT THE SIGN OF THE ‘‘FORE-AND-AFT” HE Fore-and-Aft saloon was on the Honolulu water-front, a resort con- ducted by a pair of partners named Burke and Jewett, reviled in many a port for their success in shanghaiing sailors and, occa- sionally, when the supply of the genuine article was scarce, landsmen. They were tough customers, able to handle themselves in a scrimmage, and their tactics had led to many a broad hint from the Territorial po- lice that things could no longer be run as they used to be under the monarchy. So Burke and Jewett opened the Fore-and- Aft and, ostensibly, mended their ways. 31 The saloon was unique and popular. The big room held two bars ranged in circular fashion about stout spars that ran from floor to ceiling in imitation of masts. One of these bars was known as the ‘‘Fore,” the other as the ‘Aft,’ or, sometimes, the “Main.” Set about the room were little tables for those who preferred them. The place was always filled from dusk to closing time with the flotsam and jetsam of the water-front, sailors and stevedores spending their newly earned wages, men down to the price of their last drink, and hangers-on—beach- combers—sneaking up to the lunch counters _ with a furtive eye on Burke or Jewett, who usually lounged by the circular bars. There were no women allowed; and the saloon, save for the loud talk, might fairly be considered orderly. Rough-houses oc- curred now and then at the Fore-and-Aft in the regular routine of business, but to the casual eye the place held no hint of being anything but what it professed to be. As Addams and Winton entered, an or- chestrion was blaring out a popular dance tune, some men were clumsily dancing with each other like trained bears, and the place was blue with smoke. Some fifty men were at the tables and about the bars. The counter of the “Aft,” at the back of the saloon, was comparatively deserted and to this they made their way, Winton keeping a lookout for his man, Silva. No one seemed to pay particular attention to them, and they ordered a glass apiece of the resi- nous beer for “‘the good of the house.” Addams touched Winton’s elbow. “There’s that rough-neck acquaintance of our invalid friend,” he said. ‘“The one who met him at the wharf. Over at the other bar. He’s with his own crowd, all right. They’re a nice-looking lot of un- caged jail-birds.” Winton agreed with him. The half- dozen of hulking, ill-kempt men returned his glance, one of them saying something that raised a general laugh. A _broad- shouldered man, better dressed than the rest, a big diamond horseshoe in his tie, wearing an air of authority, left the group and strolled over to Addams and Winton. ‘Lookin’ for any one in special, gents?” — he asked. “Or jest sight-seein’? My name’s Burke. I’m one of the owners.” “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Burke,” re- plied Winton untruthfully. ‘“‘You’ll join Gomichoo <S (E(0)