The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-20

which stood on the deck near the wind
lass
Having done this, he came aft 10 re-
lieve me at the wheel, a relief for which
j was by no means sorry.
The party In the cabin had, shortly
before this, given up their amusement
OF popping at me through the closed doors
OF the companion, having doubtless heard
Smelie dragging along the hatch-covers
and placing them In position. and hav-
Ing also formed n very shrewd guess that
further mischief on their part was thus
enectually frustrated. Unfortunately,
however, they had made the discovery
that my head could be seen over the COM
panion from the fore end Of the skylght
and they had thereupon begun 10 pop at
me from this new position. They had
grazed me twice when Smellie came aft
and he had scarcely opened his lips to
speak TO me when another shot came
whizzing past us close enough 10 him to
prove that the fellows still had II in their
power TO undo all our work by a single
lucky hit.
why. Hawkesley." he exclaimed, "this
will never do; we must put stop to this
somehow. We cannot afford TO be hard
hit, either Of us. for another hour and a
half at least What is to be done? How
does your shoulder feel? Can you use
your right arm2"
shoulder is dreadfully painful. and my
arm seems 10 have no strength in 1t. But
/ can steer with one hand nowr'
How many people do you think there
are i'm the cabin?" was Smellie's next
question.
II can scarcely say" I replied: but
have only been able to distinguish three
voices so far"
Three. eh7 The skipper and two
stepped forward, and presently returned
with a rather formidable looking iron bar
he had evidently noticed some time be-
fore; and coolly remarked as he began TO
drag away the hatch covers from before
the companions:
II am going down below 10 give those
fellows their quietus. If do not, there is
no knowing what mischief they may yet
perpetrate before we get the-what was II
those fellows called her7-ah! the Josefa--
before we get the Josefa under the Daph-
ne's guns. Now, choose the star TO steer
by before remove any more OF this lum-
ber. and then sit down on deck as much
on one side rs you can get I shall try to
draw their fire and then rush down upon
them"
With that he removed his Jacket and
threw IL loosely over the iron bar, which
he laid aside for the moment whilst he
cleared away the distractions from be-
fore the doors Then, taking up the coat
and holding IL we'll In front of the open
ing so as 10 produce In the uncertain light
the appearance Of figure standing there,
he suddenly flung back the slide and
threw open the doors.
The immediate result swere a couple OF
pistol shots and rush up the companion
ladder, the latter OF which Smellie
promptly stopped by swinging his some
what bulky carcass into the opening and
letting himself drop plump down upon the
individuals who were making IT, There
was a scuffle AZ the bottom OF the lad
der. another pistol shot. two or three dull
crushing blows. another brief scuffle. and
then smellie reappeared. with blood flow
ing freely from his left arm, and trucu-
lent-ooking Spanard In tow. This fellow
he dragged on deck and unceremoniously
kicking HIS feet from under him. lashed
him securely with the end OF the topgal-
liant brace. This done. he once more dived
below, and In due time two more Span
iards. senseless and bleeding, were
brought up out Of the cabin and secured.
There" he said. wiplng the perspira-
tion fro mhls forehead. 81 think we shall
now manage TO make the rest OF our trip
unmolested. and without having constant
ly before our eyes the fear OF being blown
clear across the Congo. Let me take the
wheel; i am sure you must be sadly I'm
need OF spell. But before you do any
thing else will get you 10 clap a bandage
OF some sort round my arm here: am
bleeding so profusely that think the
bullet must have severed an artery. Here
Is my handkerchief clap Il round the arm
and haul II as taut as you can; the great
thing just now In to stop the bleeding:
Doctor Burnett will do all that is neces-
sary for us when we reach the sloop."
(To be continued tomorrow.)