The morning call., 1891-05-22
THE BIG QUICKSAND.

y
Nonsense, Ella; nOnsense!" cried bun
old Captain Myers; and he pushed back the
broad blimmed straw hat which protected
his head from the fierce tropical sun. THE
crew is all right. and by shutdown, If this
breeze holds out. we'll be at the mouth OF
the Colorado"
perhaps you know best papa" said the
captains pretty daughter; but l believe
they are plotting mutiny or some other
dreadful thing
"HumphP growlingly interrupted the
captain, aud he scowled darby. Its from
Frank Edwards then that you get these
false ideas about my crew."
Nothing of the kind. papa? protested
Ella, although she blushed rosily. 1T was
who first noticed the queer actions Of the
men. and called his attention 10 the matter.
He said he would suggest 10 you -
well, | don't want his suggestions! pei
lowed the captain. Pm commander OF tae
Peerless. and have sailed these waters long
enough TO know nv business. These things
are all in your imagination, and don't
thank Frank Edwards for encouraging you
in libehng ny most excellent crew even by
thought"
Having Thus delivered himself the captain
turned on his heel and entered the cabin,
while Ella with another dlreful LOOK toward
the suIlen-faced crew, heayed a deep sigh
and sank into a chair which the hrst mate
Of the Peerless handsome Frank Edwards,
had placed for her on the pOopdeck beneath
an impreviSed awning that had been
stretched to shelter her from the rays OF The
burning sun.
Her face frightened presently, when
quiet step sounded on TIE deck and the mate
stood beside her.
"What did he say?" he asked in an eager
whisper.
girls foolish fancy, and stalked into the
cabin. red with anger, when / mentioned
your name"
~ feared as much" said the young man
sadly. He is blind to tle daily maChlna-
lions Of those copper-faced rascals, aud 1t IS
no use giving him advice.
"They were plotting mischief before we
were out of sight of Gusymas.
That scaT-faced fellow, Manuel Rosario.
has learned that we have a cargo of arms,
ammunition and general stores for the troops
at Fort Yuma, and this knowledge has eX-
cited his cupidity.
"When we stopped for water at San Fran
cisco Island he met an agent If the lnsurg-
ents and was promised a liberal sum If be
could capture the vessel and turn 1t and the
cargo over TO them.
He does not know that l heard him
plotting.
" Ii he did he would be c0wardly and des-
belaying-pin some dark night
" On, FrankP' cried Ella, and her beauti-
ful face paled with apprehension. " DO be
careful and watchful-fOT my sake.
/ will!' was his response, and, as your
father Will not tlke the precaution to check
mate any move these rufians may make, l
will perfect my plans so that we can escape
from the bark in case Rosario and his men
mutiny and seize her."
" And papa?" falteTed Ella.
AZ -
WOTTY, dear heart for l feel able 10 cope
with these Tascals when the time for action
comes"
They were in the Upper Gulf of Cali
f0Tnia, where il naTr0ws TO meet the waters
Of the Colorado River
The bark Peerless, of which Elias father
was captain and owner, was loaded with
arms and ammunition and other supplies
Tor the United States troops at Fort Yuma.
All but two Of the original crew shipped
IN New York had died OF the yellow fever,
which broke ont with terrible virulence
shortly after they passed Cape st Lucas
and entered the gulf.
The captain had managed to get his YES
sci into Guaymas, and there the two re-
naming members Of his crew had deserted.
In consequence he was obliged TO ship a
native crew and employ Manuel Rosario, an
ex-pearI diver, who, unknown to him, was
implicated in a revolution then in progress
on the peninsula, to enlist the requisite
number Of men.
Rosario had got together band Of as
blOOdthlTSty TufhanS as II was peSSl Die to
find aud had no difficulty in inducing them
10 lend a willing acQuieScence to all his
nefarious schemes.
He boldly planned to make Captain
Myers, the captains daughter, Ella, and
the mate, Frank Edwards, prisoners, seize
the vessel and run it into a secluded harbOr
between the head Of San Francisco Island
nd ha cf fiaa Colorado RiUar
Here he would be joined by party Of the
Insurgents who would loot the vessel after
which it would be broken up.
Tie tides on the Gulf Of California are
gigantic, the rise and fall OF the water aver
aging seyenty-fve feet
Rosario knew they would enter the mouth
Of the Colorado River that nigbse and as the
tide was particularly swift at k3r 1t the
bark would be securely ana, Tring
the ebb and flow of the tremetd0 rent.
This he resolved should be the Hne and
place of attack, and his faithful henchmen
only awaited his signal to make the captain,
the mate and the beautiful young girl pris-
eners.
In tow Of the bark was a small dinghy.
Drawing this up to the rudder-pOst, Mate
Edwards opened one of the cabin windows
and dropped into it such articles as would
be of use to them 10 their flight, as well as
provisions for three or four days.
He then Informed Ella Of these prepare
tons and she held herself in readiness to flee
at moments notice.
At about o'clock in the afternoon the
Peerless entered the river, and as the tide
was low and would shortly turn, Captain
Myers secured his vessel with bow and
stern anchor and awaited the coming rush
Of water preceded by its ordinary high al
vance wave.
1t could be discerned 10 the distance.
The captain and his daughter were lean
ING the SfpTu-raIl watching lfS 1nDFGaPn
when Manuel Rosario gave the signal for
revolt
He and two of his men stole softly toward
The unsuspecting captain.
He dashed up the cOmpanion-stairs.
Captain Myers in another moment was
struggling in the grasp of RosaTio's COM
pani0nS.
Before the latter could draw weapons the
mate shot one and badly wounded the other.
Rosario released Ella, whom he had seized,
and shouted for assistance.
Reversing his heavy six-shooter Mate Ed
wards brought the butt down upon Rosario's
head with a force that sent him moaning
and half senseless to the deck.
QUICK he cried, Selling Elias arm.
"Over the stern rail. There is a ladder.
Drop into the boat. will keep these other
ruftians at bay"
he began firing into the horde of advanc-
Ing mutiueers.
By the time his revolver was emptied Cap
tain Myers and Ella reached the boat.
During the afternoon he had cleaned the
captains dOube-barreled shotgun, heavily
charged 1t with slugs, and concealed it on
deck under a tarpaulin.
With a yell of defiance be caught 1t up
and discharged both barrels in the very
faces Of the mutineers.
They 1ecOiled before this terrible fire. and,
taking advantage Of their discontinue.
Frank slipped over the rail and cut the boat
Rdrift
Before he could seize the oars the first
big wave Of the tide was upon them and
they were hurled on past the vessel and far
up the river with frightful velocity.
Then came the recoil and they dTifted
back toward the Peerless.
Frank pulled toward little island on the
right-hand side OF the channel and suc-
ceeded in making a landing