The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-09-30
copyright, 1897. by d. Appleton Co. All
rights reserved
CHAPTER Xxv.-CoNTrNuED.
BY cHAUNcY c. HoTcnKIss


l looked sharply at the third man, ex.
pecting some word from him, but lie shifted
his eye from mine, giving me something like
a sneer and struggling his bony shoulders,
but vouchsafng nothing In the way Of
words He was n logged looking rascal,
with a broad, red scar across nose and
cheek, saber slash without doubt. Raw
boned and light Of weight, he looked like
sleeping cat as he lolled against the up
right, his lack of brute strength probably
balanced by great activity.
"Come, lads!" said ], ignoring the attitude
OF the silent man, "I'l be frank with YOU
I'm Donald Thorndyke, of the American
forces. The schooner was taken by me sin
gle-handed, and the Sprite is beyond all
bearings Lounsbury is overheard, there
are two sick in the cabin, and the surgeon is
at my mercy. So are you if you abide not
by the terms l offer. The schooner is in
danger, and unless you turn out It's like
you'll find the forecastle a coffin If i make
no mistake, we're in for watt that will
come nigh TO blowing us out of water If we
don't roll our spars out before. Get on deck
and work the schooner under my command
until we make Holmes Hole in the Vine
yard, an when you set foot ashore you are
free men. | have no rations and no water.
The scuttle butt has launched itself over
board, and / am afraid of the supply in the
forehold. There's not shilling in il for any
of you, but tbs fair way of escaping the
kings navy without deserving, for III put
you on parole. tell you, lads, I'm bad
one to foul, but you'll find have an easy
helm and never miss stays if handled hon
estly. Now choose betwixt this hole and
the deck, and choose in a hurry! Ii you are
cave ~, IA froodovn fbrotv down vottr
knives as a sign; I've no more time to
waste
The two who had spoken looked askant
each at the other, and the knife of the
original spokesman fell TO the deck. As the
hand of the Yankee sought the sheath the
third man spoke, unfolding his arms and
Fcowling like thunder as he gave vent to his
words.
"Ye two be domned fools to be trustin'
rebel an runnin' yez head into tn moose.
BE yez a couple o. babbys not 10 mark his
firearm is useless wi tn wet? 'Ee's in our
ands! Wot's to Under our takin' the craft
an gettin' tn price that lies on the cad Of
this ere"
He got no further. / strobe up to him
and snapped my fingers in his face, then,
thrusting my eyes close to his, / Numbered;
"On deck with We, We blatherskte! Ill
see that We sing a tune with old iron in il
ere sunrise tomorrow On deck, tell vel"
Notwithstanding the din already exist
ing in the forecastle, my voice rose far above
t, its violence and the suddenness OF my
move making the man shrink back as though
frightened. But he was not cowed. Gather.
ing himself he uttered a curse and fprang
past me, placing himself twixt me and the
ladder; then whipping out his knife, he
IL 20 to MI
take tn chance, lads, while yet we ave
'iml Twill be tn maxim O US, an tits
fifty puns to cachl Stand by, bulliosl Wen
make meat o. tn cussed spyl-Up, Larry,
an close the 'atch on lint Ill old the
gangway."
His action and outspoken hostility was
SO sudden as TO take me by surprise, and,
had the others responded to his call, il
would surely have gone hard with me. But
instead OF springing TO the succor of their
mate. thcy remained standing as though the
quick shifting Of the situation had for the
moment dazed them. The earnestness OF
the fellows purpose showed in the rapid
change that came over his face. From
sulky expression IL had altered to one OF
wide awake fcrocity, and the listless droop
Of arms and shoulders given place TO tense
muscles and rounded chest, through the
ndlTlnt~s OF Wultn Aht ltA'fAANAeh "N'co
out in beads
Even with this menace before me could
but think what a simple fool the man was.
Instead Of quietly following my lead and
getting me at a disadvantage, he had chosen
TO beard me against the odds of my eutiass
and the lukcwarmncss OF his mates AT the
same time, II Yas no case for argument, nor
would il do to temporize an instant. Ere
the promise of reward for my capture or the
Easy chance to regain control Of the schoon-
~ could act upon the slowly moving minds
of the wel-disposed seamcn, | had nipped
the mutiny (if it could be so called, and had
the ringleadcr begging for mercy.
Without drawing my cutlass, | advanced
upon the fellow as though to close with him
mind me now that he was lcft-handed, and,
an the fist holding the knife swayed aloft
and came down, seized It's wrist and with
violent turn whipped his elbow out Of
Joint an one twists the leg from well-cooked
fowl. Az my hand stayed his he clutchcd
my throat with his right, but as his Joint
parted he gave a howl Of agony. dropped the
knife and my collar at once, and sank 10 bis
knees roaring like bull.
Physically the man had been no match
Tor me. and l might have hammered the