San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-03-07

manner and feigning a sudden air OF
suspicion with such admirable dexterity
as would have delighted the commander
had he been watching the fellow he
shouted: "But what are you and where
do you come from? What ship did you
belong tor You've got the looks of pas
sesgers. 1 should like to hear your yarn
afore you come aboard.
This was going beyond what the COM
mander had indicated in his instruo-
tions to Trivett The red faced officer
standing in the cuddy doorway listened
in an agony Of impatienoe which, grow
ing insupportable, forced him to sneak
along the deck as fast as orouching and
lodging posture would admit toward
the forecastle while he signed to Harry
and William not to appear to observe
him. He exclaimed in low voice to
Harry, who had lounged to the head Of
the forecastle ladder on seeing the COM
mander coming: "For the life that's in
you both don't look down or seem to heed
me. Sing ont this" He dictated the
words and Harry, who acted with an
adroitness that was not to have been
hoped for in William, shrieked in his
high notes:
"We haven't had time yet to tell the
story. That there man knows nothing
about you. But I'll go aft and give him
the yarn while you wait if you like?"
Something in this speech appeared to
decide the six gentlemen. They talked
together for a few minutes, looking
earnestly at the ship. Every man then
saw that his loaded weapon was handy
to his grasp when the six should leap as
one for the chains. Weston and Shannon
dipped their blades, and the boat ap-
preached the bark. The four who stood
up idle intently watched the movements
of the men who were visible ON the YES
sci.
"Are you going to board me afore
you gives me some account OF your
selves?" sang out Trivett. and his voice,
breaking the silence, accentuated the
hush in the ship to the listening ears Ia
the boat.
"You shall have our yarn in few
minutes" cried Davenire in his ire
mendous voice. Give way"
The boat drew to the main chains,
and, needless as to what became Of her
in their rage of resolution to repossess
themselves Of the ship, fired, too, with
suspicion of their reception as every
black soul of the six was, they sprang
with tigerlike leaps into the chains and
gained the deck in a dozen heart beats.
Not moment for breathing and for
looking round was permitted. Roaring
at the top of his voice, Now, then, Mr..
Matthews-now, then, my hearts-we
must nab every one of these fellows;
but don't hurt them if they offer no re-
sistance, Boldock rushed out, flourish
ing his cutlass, followed by the mate
and the whole body Of seamen.
IAN ambushr' yelled Hankey, and
Shannon sprang to the side as If he
would jump overheard. Then he faced
about. leveling his pistol.
Throw down your arms We don't
want to hurt You, but we must take
you'll bawled the commander, making
straight for Caldwell.
The six men fired volley clap at the
seamen rushing headlong
at them.
1t was to be desperate, unfair fight;
six enraged, entrapped men against
overwhelming odds. Caldwell, black in
the face with the devil that was in him,
flashed his second shot at the command
er. The ruffian missed his aim. He had
been more fortunate with Mr.. Masters.
His opponents rush gave him no time
for third bullet, and he hurled the
heavy, clumsy weapon-a deadly mis-
sile-with the full strength Of his nerv-
GUS arm at Boldock's head. The pistol
struck the uplifted cutlass and snapped
the blade short off as though it had been
carrot. Dropping the useless hilt, Boil
dock, who was now in the right fight
ing fury, received Caldwell as he spraDg
at him, and in q breath the two men
were locked.
1t was O fierce wrestle for few min
utes. No man came to the commanders
NhAuWCll w EOb Iva
dock under and so strangle him with
stamp Of foot or pressure Of knee was
clear. He was by far the stronger Of the
two, fighting if not for his life at least
for his liberty, and they swayed and
rolled and CRASHED their teeth and
sweated, the commander silent, Cald-
we'll muttering low curses as he swung
and twisted, till all at once his grasp
relaxed and look of horror lighted up
his face with the rounding Of his eyes.
30 Christi Look at herP' he yelled.
CrashI Down he went with those
words in his evil mouth and that look
of horror on his hanging brow. The
commander was on top Of him, and now
Trivett rushed to his side with a rope to
bind the prisoner. Miss Mansel stood a
little way in the cuddy, quite. visible
through the door, watching the fight.
Back, Margaret, back" painted the
commander, but in an audible voice, to
| tho ,,irI xpho Shripked, HHa ia CALDWELL