Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-05-14

wanted TO Wallop the poor little
wretch.
A chuckle ran around the forecas-
tie.
"Why, you donkey, cried the man
who had first spoken. Billings
just wanted to show how Jealous be
is in the company 8 service. The
captain. thinks there's nobody like
Billings"
Sand neither is there, my boys;
neither is there," cried voice from
the companion ladder. Dick Har-
ley covering under his tarpaulin,
knew that voice, and shuddered in.
voluntarily. The first mate of the
Only Son, in defiance of strict
nautical etiquette had paid an unin-
vited visit to the sailors sanctuary
the forecastle.
"Hello, Billings I" cried dozen
voices. whats atoot, my lad ?
Tell us the news
"Nobody here but our own crowd,
is there p asked Billings, peering
abous the dimly lighted cabin.
Nobody but ourselves. You
may talk right out, Tom Billings
was the answer.
every well, then. Let the at
tempt be made tonight, when the
other watch has turned in. The
money is all right. The skipper and
Mr.. Lancelot showed it to me this
afternoon"
Chow much, altogether z"
1.-TWO hundred and fifty thousand
pounds. Plenty for all Of US. You
are all fam liar with the scheme.
When the other watch has turned in
you, Sam Bowers, and you, Billy
Reid, win mount guard over 'em
with your guns. Two men can
hold The ha tchway. / feel certain.
Then the rest of us W i'll make for the
shippers cabin, where the money is.
The skipper is wise man. He will
make no resistance against num-
bers.n
"Lancelot may fight, though
cried a voice.
what if he does We will wait
till he's asleep In his bunk. At day
break we'll put the skipper and
Lancelot into boat, with chart to
give them their bearings. Then we'll
make for South America, run the
ship ashore and spend our well-earn-
ed money"
"But how about the rest of the
crew 7" asked one of the listeners.
Billings grinned.
'Let them get out as best they
cam" he said. Perhaps, if they be-
have nicely, we may leave them
boat. But not one pound of the
money do they get"
"And when are we to start In ~
"Tll give you the signal,' Bill.
ings replied. Meanwhile turn in
and get rest. Good night my
lads, and remember I shipped
every maniack of you at Ports.
mouth, and you're under oath to do
my bidding. Kill 'em, if necessary,
but get the cash at all hazards"
aye, aye, sirl Well follow
you" cried several of the rascally
crew as their leader sprang up the
ladder. Little Dick Harley breath
ed sigh ofrelief as be heard Bill.
ings depart, but the next moment
there flashed across his youthful
mind that stern duty lay before
him. Notwithstanding the danger
notwithstanding the mortal terror
with which he regarded this brutal
first mate-he must endeayor to
give the captain warning of tie in.
tended robbery.
To stir from his hiding place at
this moment would mean death at
the hands of those desperate men.
And as yet none of them showed
any intention Of obeyin Billings's
advice and turning in.n
They examined their reyolyers-
for every one of them seemed TO be
armed-and talking ever the coming
attack upon the chartered company's
treasure. Dick had almost made up
his mind to risk crawl along the
floor toward the companion ladder
and rush thence upon the deck,
when one of the desperadoes yawn.
ed. A yawn Is more contagious
than yellow fever. Within FIVE
minutes every man In the forecastle
was showing evidences of weariness.
Frs one and then another craxled