Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-10


ticipation in the assault on the barricade,
was standing on an upper step, his head al
most on a level with the deck, did hear the
voice of Digby.
AS his associates forced their way through
into the cabin, Gamble mounted step and
looked out over the deck. He saw the stu
dents pouring on the deck from the engine
room, and realized instantly what was their
purpose.
With shout of warning, in echo of that
of the man on the bridge, he sprang down
the stairs, seized the weapon which Rlcketts
had dropped before the shattered door, and
remounted swiftly to the defense OF the
hatchway.
When the marines and the mutineers came
rushing up, he was standing on a top step OF
the companion stairs, brandishing his weapon
threateningly.
"Stand back or I'll brain you'll" he shouted.
His savage tone, and still more savage ex-
preston of countenance, coupled with the
reckless fashion in which he handled the
heavy iron, made the students pause.
1t was at this interesting juncture that the
gong in the engine room began to clang as
Though the vessel were on fire. Ricketts,
and the Detwilers had gained the hatchway
leading to the after-hold, and Ricketts, was
on the point Of dropping down. =,
What now@ he Queried. bewildercd
on deck" replied one of the Detwilers. Ills
ten!"
They now heard CANDLES fierce threat at
the head of the companion-stairs.
"Our prisoners have escaped to the deck
and they're going to seize the boat again,
Detwiler added, comprehending the situation
instantly.
Ricketts,, lowering over the open hatch,
was visibly undecided, He dreaded the .pur-
suing steamer more than he did the Ven
lures crew. however.
1--WE must get the steering gear straight
ened out at once and get under way" he
hurriedly observed. "You. two go up and
help Gamble. III join you in minute"
He dropped down into the hold, while the
Detwilers ran for the companion-way, snatch
ing up the handspikes they had dropped a
moment before.
Gamble had not only held the students at
bay in the interim. but he had advanced an
other step up the stairs. He was surrounded
but he kept his weapon swinging about his
head in manner that threatened broken
skull for the first assailant who should be
rash enough to approach within reach. 1t
was not surprising that nobody manifested
an overt desire to close in with the robbers.
Boatswain Barclay found himself in. com
mand Of the party around the after hatch
way. Commander Brant, followed by Even
and another of the mutineers, had run for
the ,wheelhouse the moment that Digby
raised an alarm.
They had driven Digby from the wheel,
Us
waited to resist the determined attack which
Even began upon him with a handspike.
Even was now. fighting as hard in the
cause of Commander Brant as he had erst-
while fought for Lofty Rankin.
While the party in the wheel house were
engaged in routing the enemy there, Gamble,
on the companion-stairs, was re-enforced BY
the, Detwiler brothers Armed only with
the deck. the students found themselves no
match for the three desperate rascals with
stokers' irons and handspikes.
Every instant, moreover, the Ventures de-
tenders, expected to see the outlaws produce
more deadly weapons than the ones they
now fourished. Ricketts, was armed, and Il
was not unreasonable to apprehend that his
followers were also.
It quickly became evident to Boatswain
tive. The robbers were. driving the students
before them. They had all three of them,
gained footing on the deck and were hold
ing their position. waiting for Ricketts,.
Drawing back, Barclay hurled SHIRE
full at the head of one Of the Detwilers.
The man lodged, and the missile struck
Gamble between the shoulders, with force
that made him stagger GgSlpe, e.. the oehcose
"Give it to them at long rangel" he shout
ed. "We'n drive them below"
In an instant perfect hail OF missiles
rained upon the robbers. They stopped
swinging their weapons and put up their
arms to protect their heads.
For an instant they wavered; but just as
they appeared on the point of beating re-
treat, Ricketts, voice was heard
"I,m coming, men, Wen drive 'em into
He bounded to the deck. Behind him came
Lofty Rankins and Thad Mcpherson.
Through the transoms Of the doors behind
which they were confined, the captive. leaders
of the mutineers had Witnessed the invasion
of The cabin by the rObberg