Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1902-04-17
CHAPTER XIV.
Where Gold Proved Trumps,


for just such a move as this, and as
she came within reach, not noticing
his presence, he caught her and with
quick movement wrested the revoly-
er from her grasp.
The movement was successful, but
1t cost him dear, for the frenzied wo-
man, baffled in her design, scratched
his face after the manner OF a tiger
cat, all the while screaming as might
an escaped maniac-doubtless for the
time being. she was out of her senses,
so fearful a hold upon her mind had
this idea of Corsican revenge taken.
that the prospect of losing her prey
rendered her mad.
He threw her from him with
curse. for she would very likely have
dug his eyes out.
1t was now high time they departed.
Already the alarm was given and
they could hear the shouts of Spanish
sailors as they ran to and fro. or
came tumbling up from their quarters
forward
Already the captain was leading his
wife to the deck; the old warriors
fighting blood was up, and woe to the
man who dared bar his path.
The marquis followed with Mazette
AS for the detective, finding a key
in the cabin door he whipped this lat.
ter shut and, having secured it, plac-
ed the key in his pocket, hoping that
nv 4,
INSCRIPTIONS captain and crew he
might lessen the danger.
1t was a polite move and did him
credit.
They could hear her pounding at
the door while her shrieks arose; then
came several shots from her recovered
revolver, whether as signals or fired
in the hope of demolishing the lock
that held her prisoner none could say.
No sooner had Livermore issued
forth upon the deck than he was set
upon by a couple of men. one OF them
possibly the captain of the steamer,
who recognized in him a stranger.
At least here was an opportunity
for Livermore to prove that he had
no. become rusty in his five years re-
tirement from the field of adventure
and travel. and right royalty he en-
phasized this point under the eyes of
his wife.
He threw out his right hand and
sent the fellow on that side headlong
into the scuppers. At this his other
antagonist drew a shining knife, with
which every Spaniard loves to go
armed at all times, and uttering fear
full imprecations he made a wicked
pass at the stout captain.
Fedora's scream was deadened by
the report OF the captains weapon,
and then the sailor mans tune chang
ed, for, dropping his blade, he ran
down the deck with a bullet in his
shoulder, shrieking in pain in a man
tile.
This was a beginning.
AS the others Joined the captain on
deck they found themselves confront
ed by rabble OF wild-eyed barefooted
Spanish sailors.
The marquis addressed them in
quick sentences straight to the point,
his Spanish was good, and he knew
how to best handle such men-mighty
little time did he spend in explaining
by what right they came there, for
such rovers care not a snap for the
affection existing between husband
and wife-with them right Is but as
might allows, and their god the braz-
en- image that will buy liquor and to-
bacco.
Thus the marquis had card mp his
sleeve. and he played II now at a time
when II was OF the greatest value.
When he drew out his hand from
his pocket II contained score OF gold
pieces.
These he sent along the deck with
a toss that Is only gained through ex-
perisnce.
1t was a clever trick
In vain some fellow in command
shouted and swore at the sailor men
to mass themselves in front of the in