The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-20
CHAPTER VII.
"A rnIrr2 EOI1S WOMAN

n COURAGEoOs3 sNoi<tS.
With tho intention Of speedily settling
matters With Ben Logan and the sea-
men Of the scuttled brig. Redlaw COM
manded Watson to follow him to the
deck. But again the latter briefly stayed
him, flashing a sharp glance about the
cabin, as II struck with sudden Idea,
and excaiming In lowered tones:
.Wait bit. sir! I've thought OF one
thing more"
What now7' growled Redfaw, turning
on his heel.
'The two women! Are they down
here?"
The question was asked with lcer OF
such import that, had Redaw felt the
slightest suspicion OF trenchery on Wal
tons part, 1t would have been dispelled
by the evil glow in the young mans
eyes. The pirate vented harsh laugh.
and nodded significantly.
FAYE, they are" he rejoined. (Which
one dye fancy?"
"'Taint that" said Walton. quickly.
you're master here, and I've nc fancy
ahead o. yours. But was thlnklns-
thinking OF what?" growled lledlaw,
."rhey're safe enough In one of tie star
board rooms"
lis. the door secured"
"No! What heed OF that? DO you fear
they'll escape ns?"
mot as you mean, but in another
way." exclaimed Walton. pointedly,
'Thern's no telling what women like
theml do, II driven to desperation Send
a bullet into themselves like as not. I'd
advise slowing all o. these weapons our
o. their reach"
Redlaw glanced about the cabin, and
muttered an oath.
you're right about that, mate" he
exclaimed, more than ever convinced OF
Walton's knavery. LEND hand aud
we'll shove 'em In my cabln!'
The work was quickly accomplished,
and the main cabin Invested Of every
weapon OF which advantage could be
taken, tho pirate meantime expressing a
villainous satisfaction over his compan-
ions foresight,
Vet Walton's motive In accepting the
offer made by the pirate cantain may
easily be imagined, He realized only too
we'll the desperate situation OF Lady
Somers and Emily, whose beauty now
seemed to be their greatest misfortune,
That they had fallen into tho power of
a renegade capable Of any degree OF bru-
tality and outrage was but too apparent.
and the circumstances We're fortunate,
indeed or so Walton considered them,
which had resulted In his securing quar-
tsrs in Inc cabin OF the Vulture. The 80.
duel he decided. could be shaped only
by fatc-and by the power with which nc
might bs endowed to avert the awful
evils that Threatened.
Nor had Redlaws action In pressing
Walton into his service been without
reason. His every observation OF the
man had seemed to warrant his estl-
mate of him. His fiery attack ON the
two Mongollans his ferocity In those mo-
nents OF peril and excitement, alons
with all his subsequent conduct, had IN
dicated man OF holdness md courage
whom some spirit OF dare devil Hespera.
ton had led to hold life and honor at
the lowest figure, The killing OF the
mate, moreover, had left tho pirate with
no TT hand for the Office and " was
rather with exultatlon than suspicion that
he accepted Walton's consent to become
freebooter, SO artfully had IT been given.
The changes In the cabin having been
made, he led tho way above hoard'
meantime explaining that his second
mate, Mr.. Saggerts messed and housed
IN the forecastle along with the Grew,
that by no means Inutiny should ps
hatched up undiscovered, This unusual
reouiremAnt indicated to Walton the NJ
ter lawlessness of the desperadoes among
whom he had fallen. yet 1t rather seem
Cd to his advantage, and SO 1t ultimately
proved ~,