The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-01-20

screw INTO the WOODEN cap OF his arm,
having first removed the iron hook.
was now ready to hear him declare
his plan, but he first took from a nail
a coil of small cord, after which he
whispered in my ear:
Before aught else is done we must
secure the mate. That stands clear in
my mind. And we may not wait to
summon the captain, lest the fellow
take the alarm. Mark me, l will knock
on his door, and say desire to speak
with him. On his appearance we will
each clap pistol to his head-take
you this--and compel him forth and
bind him"
He softly opened the door. and we
stole out. AS / crossed the threshold,
/ heard sharp, sudden little knock
ing from somewhere In the shadow of
the table. II gave me a start. and
glanced that way, only TO discover that
which affected my nerves vast deal
more. A tall but stopped figure made
a scramble from all tours to it's feet.
and with one long, straddling bound
was bursting out of the companion.
"Pradey!" yelled the supercargo.
and let fly with his pistol
l could see that he was too late, and
thereupon, with a shock of alarm and
modification, | made dash of il also,
and flew through the open door. The
mate was bounding off the quarter
deck to the main. shouting out some
thing which did not catch. and in a
yeritable fury ! let go my pistol. I
could not have made close shot, but
his yelling increased. and now could
see the crew pouring out of the fore
castle hatch. and the watch running
toward him. | had the sense to per
ceive that all was up, and sullenly re-
treated, stopping at the companion
to shoot the bolt of the door.
When | turned about. though the
place was still little smoky, | made
out both the supercdrgo and the cap
tain, the latter in his shirt, with
drawn sword in his hand.
Pray you Dress" said Mr. lynn. with
excellent GOODNESS. as the captain stood
fast, glazing fcrcely toward the com
panion. NAY. we are safe enough for
the moment" he added, CHANGING down
at the door leading into the tween
decks, which | now perceived he had
secured.
"rhe abominable villain!" growled
Sellinger, relaxing his warille attitude.
however, and lowering his point. 81
will take your advice, and be with YOU
presently"
He withdrew into his berth, and Mr..
| lynn said to me, almost humorously:
"Abominnble or not, he played a
shrewd part, and is like TO reap the
reward of IT, \ very pretty piece of
eavesdropplng, indeed"
How will it be with us now ?" ]
asked, aloud. "Can we make n sufR-
cient defense, think v0u?"
May" he answered, coolly, mot If
they stand 10 II with heart. You con-
ceive that they have in all points the
advantage. They can starve us out
for we have nothing beyond few bis
cults, and no drink but wine-or can
batter in the doors. and bear us down
Ivy main force; or they can set watch
upon us, and keep MS boxed up here till
they reach some convenient point when
they can scuttle the ship. and leave us
in the plight of so many inconvenient
kittens"
stay" | cried, as n sudden thought
struck me. IL think they will be at
none of that. ] mean the scuttlng
Remember you not the magpie from
the Happy Bess? He that yarned so
concerning Morgan? | am ready to
swear that his talk and the mates
scheming have brought this about.
These rogues will be for turning pi-
rates"
| had just uttered this when Capt.
Sellinger came out of his cabin. He was
fully dressed, save for his coat, and
was now armed with u brace of pistols
in addition to his sword.
81 believe you have hit the nail on
the head" cried the captain, with
savage slap on the table. "Oh, that
snake Aye, he is at the bottom of it.
These simpletons would not have risen
but for him. On my soul, never was
crew better treated. Such pork and
such beef, and such soft tack on Sun
days, and then the scouse and the ale!
All, well, il ayails not talking Of H..
What is your counsel, Master Tym?
What may we do in such IA strait ?"
MY counsel is of the simplest" an
swered Mr.. lynn, without hesitation.
1--WE should stand clear OF the doors.
lest they take it into their heads to
shoot through, and watch sharply
every point at which they might seek
to catch us at advantage"
81 think they are coming" / said,
as coolly as l could. Secretly my heart
began TO thump. aye, and another
gang advances 'tween-decks," added,
as | also heard n stir there.
Stand ready said the supercargo,
in low, hard tones, "All together with
the pistols, and then rush. Yet tarry
till the rams, or what else they may
batter with, have made fair open
ing. Master Ardick, you have no
swordi therefore remain somewhat
hack Also / would oouns.1 ,,o,, 4.