The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1906-06-08

had retreated to the deck, and for an
instant he thought the way was clear.
but Lesly and Russen thrust him back
with the muzzles Of the loaded muskets.
He struck at Russen with the cutlass,
missed him. and, seeing the hopelessness
Of the attack, was fain to retreat.
In the meanwhile, Grimes and the 9TH
er soldier had loosed themselves from
their bonds, and encouraged by the Err
ing which seemed to them a sign that
all was not yet iost made shift to force
up the fore-hatch. Porter, whose cour-
age was none of the fercest, and who
had been for years given over to that
terror Of discipline which servitude in
duces, made but feeble attempt at re-
sistance, and forcing the handspike from
him, the sentry. Jones, rushed aft to help
the pilot. AS Jones reached the waist,
Cheshire, a cold-blooded, blue-eyed man,
shot him dead. Grimes fell over the
corpse, and Cheshire clubbing the mus
ket coolly battered his head as he lay,
and then Selling the body of the unfor-
tunate Jones in his arms, tossed it into
the sea. Porter, you lubber!" he cried,
exhausted with the effort to lift the
body. "come and bear a hand with this
other one" Porter advanced aghast;
but just then another occurrence claimed
the villains attention, and poor. Grimes
life was spared for that time.
Rex, inwardly raging at this unexpect-
ed resistance on the part of the pilot,
flung himself on the skylight and tore it
up bodily. AS he did so, Barker, who
had reloaded his musket, fired down into
the cabin. The ball passed through the
stateroom door, and. splintering the
wood, buried itself close to the golden
curls Of poor little Sylvia. 1t was their
hair-breadth escape which drew from the
agonized mother that shrek which, peal
ing through the open stern windows, had
reused the soldiers in the boat.
Rex, who by the virtue of his dandy
ism, yet possessed some adherence of
useless crime, imagined that the cry was
one of pain, and that Barker's bullet had
taken deadly effect you've killed the
child, you villainv' he cried.
whats the oddsY' asked Barker,
sulkily. "She must die anyway, sooner
or later"
Rex put his head down the skylight,
and called on Bates to surrender; but
Bates only drew his other pistol would
you commit murder?' he asked, looking
round with desperation in his glance.
mo, no." cried some of the men. will
ing to blink the death of poor Jones.
ITS no use making things worse than
they are. Bid him come up and We'll
do him no harm"
"Come up, Mr.. Bates" says Rex,
land give you my word you shan't be
injured"
will you set the majors lady and
child ashore, then?" asked Bates, sturd-
lily facing the scowling brows above him.
yes"
Bates, hoping against hope for the re-
turn of the boat, endeavored to gain
time. "Shut down the skylight, them"
said he, with the ghost Of an authority
in his voice, until l ask the lady"
This, however, John Rex refused to
do. you can ask well enough where
you are" he said.
But there was no need for Mr. Bates
to put question. The door of the state
room opened. and Mrs. Vickers appeared,
trembling. with Sylvia by her side. "Ac-
cept, Mr.. Bates" she said, "since it
must be so. We should gain nothing by
refusing. We are at their mercy-God
help u.s."
Amen to that" says Bates under his
breath; and then, aloud, 1--WE agreev'
''Put your pistols on the table and
come up, them" says Rex, covering the
tables with his musket as he spoke
Nobody shall hurt you.'
Mrs. Vickers, pale and sick with ter
ror, passed rapidly under the open sky
light, and prepared to ascend. Sylvia
with the other pressed close to her little
bosom the English History"
"Get a shawl, ma am, or something"
says Bates, land a hat for Missy"
who's to command the brig now p
asked undaunted Bates, as they came
up.
II am" says John Rex; "and with
these brave fellows I'll take her round
the world"
What are you going to do with usY'
asked Bates.
leave you behind. Come, look
alive there! Lower away the jolly
boat. Mrs. Vickers, 60 down to your
cabin, and get anything you want. I
am compelled to put you ashore, but I
have no wish to leave you without
clothes" Bates listened. in a sort Of
dismal admiration, ut this courtly con-
vict. He could not have spoken like
that had life depended on it. Nov, my
little lady" continued Rex, run down
with your mamma, and don't be fright
ened."