The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-26
REDLAW DECLARES HIMSELF
CHAPTER XII

son,ers from the threatening passion q
the pirate captain.
With inisglvlngs scarce to be con-
tanned. vet powerless to resist the com
mands imposed upon her, Emily re-
turned to the vulture's deck; and
though she bent single beseeching
look at Walton as he came up the com.
panion stairs behind her. the return
glance OF encouragement for which she
mad hoped was not given her.
AS mailer of fact he dared not give
1t. The eyes of the man ut tho wheel
were turned upon them, and the hazard
of betrayal was too great. With an ex-
preston OF grim indifference on his
forceful face, Walton signed her to a
seat and abruptly turned away and
| walked toward the vessels waist
/ Ignorant still OF Redlaw's designs,
fearful Of the worst at any moment,
and vainy striving to determine the
course best to be pursued in that event,
he fell to pacing the after deck with
nervous tread, his brow couded, his
teeth set. his ears vainly strained for
some sound from within the cabin.
That affairs could not long continue
as at present. he was we'll assured.
Some climax to the pirates plans. and
some emergency when decisive move
against him must necessarily be made
were sure to come; but when and where
I"4iIo iipN' ilS Soultl OHlS NdSuclS COHJeC-
ture. And the suspense. with It's con-
slant watchfulness and apprehension.
seemed even more terrible.
The vessel still was holding a south
erly course under light wind and half
the crew We're at mess Save the voices
OF the men forward, the tapping Of the
waves alongside, and the occasional
creaking OF q block aloft, the early eve-
ming was noticeably still.
AS he approached the break OF the
poop about this time. Wartons gloomy
cogtations had wrought him to pitch
FOR almost any desperation. He OBJ
served Ben Logan lounging over the
starbcard rail amidshps and that the
steward was then coming aft from the
cooks galley, and making for the port
steps from the waist Evidently he was
bound for the cabin, and Walton crossed
the deck to intercept him
Where away, steward?" he demanded
CURLY
The Italians dark eyes rose to meet
his with look Of sullen defiance.
I'm going below he replied. begin
ming to mount the steps at the top of
which Walton was standing.
You wait a while!" said the latter,
bluntly You're not wanted below"
But T want to clean up the cabin and
get MY
IT don't care id what you WANT"
Walton angrily interrupted. You'll do
what I say!''
The steward hesitated. AS his eyes had
betrayed him in the cabin short time
before. SO now they evinced the suspi-
cions he then had formed and the expo
sure he had In mind to make. He cast
q swift glance over his shoulder, like one
seeking support. and saw that the scene
was now observed by several Of his mess.
mates who were edging nearer. This
gave him the heart he would have lacked
alone, and crowding step higher despite
Walton's opposition, he growled angrily:
I'm going below, sir! I'll hail the cap'n
II you"
But Walton seized an opportunity.
which, II then neglected. might later be
sought for all In vain.
You'll hail npbody!" he Kissed between
his set teeth.
And with q countenance that should
have given the other warning. with
renewed appreciation of how this man
stood In his way, he planted his foot
upon the stewards breast with a furious
thrust and hurled him backwards from
the steps and sprawling headlong into
the waist.
his feet, and Walton sprang down to
meet him. There was a smothcred oath,
fash Of steel in the waning glow of
the sunset, then the ringing report of
pistol. And this man, whose suspicious
threatened Waltons safety. and that |
OF the girl who stood a Mortified wit
ness OF the dreadful scene, threw both
hands into the air leaped upward once
and fell crashing to the vessels deck,
shot through the heart
None knew as did Walton thu dIreful
need for so bloody a deed, and a wild
tumult instantly followed. Men came
pouring from the forecastle, while those |
on deck rushed aft with yells and oaths /
and imprecations, drawing knives as |
they came, and with wrathful and dis.
torted features evincing their vengefuI
purpose Ben Logan started as If to in
tercept them, but he caught CLEAN |
from Waltons blazing eyes like n com.
mand that he be left to meet them sin
gla handed
scream OF terrified dlsmay, cry
that alone should have betrayed the real
nature of her sentiments, broke from
Emily when she beheld his danger But
he met the foremost of his assailants
with blow that sent him backwards
into the arms of his mates, and spring
Ing back until he touched the break of |
the after deck. he covered their an
preach with his weapons. one still snlols-
Ing from the shot already fired.
"AVast! Back. every man of your
he commanded, furiously. "By Cd, I'll
XIII the first to stir foot.
They halted, but less because of him
than of another. For the imposing figure
of Redaw himself, terrific In his rage,
suddenly had loomed up aft and came |
stridng to the waist. With hut a glance
at the lifeless figure on he blood stained
deck, with his fiery eyes darting from
ono startled face to, another, he roared
What means this bloodshed. you mu.
tinous dogs? Who shot this man?''
Tho mate"
II shot him, slr!" interrupted Walton, !,
Boldly stridns nearer. and If there are
more like him there'll be more to follow, l
III, SO be IT I'm to execute your orders!' i
The very audacity of the speaker guelled
Redlaw's passion, for few men would have
dared swift and summary answer from
one Of the weapons he SO vicously grlpped
In either hand
You shot him!" he exclaimed. "For
what?"
For seeking to disobey my orders, sir!
de insisted upon going below, despite my
commands, and when knocked him down
ia LET him knnV trneanf what sajd bo