Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-06

I All the while he spoke, Ricketts, kept glanc
ing toward the shore. He also kept moving
back along the deck by easy stages till he
reached point on the quarterback where
he could command view Of the street. He
seemed to be apprehensive of something to
heppen in that direction.
The mutineers, for their own part, had good
reason to scan their surroundings with dis
trust. During the five minutes or 20 that
had intervened since the sudden appearance
OF Ricketts, they had forgotten all about the
danger OF pursuit from the academy.
1t may have been the fear Of an armed de-
tai OF cadets that disturbed Ricketts, peace
OF mind, though statement from Gamble
would have indicated otherwise, had the mutt.
neers been in sufficient possession of them
selves to take note of minute happenings.
Gamble came on deck followed by the Det-
him.
ct found these two fellows skulking below.
They belong to the vessel, they say. don't
have use for them. But we want van to take
care they don't get ashore, or they won't do
boat"
The stokers were ordered below again, and
they went, having only cast curious glance
around, without showing any inclination to
rebel against circumstances It made little
difference to them whether the Venture were
IN command Of her rightful crew or not, so
| 9Vi6 dS btuueut5 were III cOQLrOi, ana IL aD-
feared to them the students we're. Gamble
went below with them. From certain sounds
that were immediately heard, the mutineers
understood that they had been set az work
at the furnaces.
In the meanwhile, Ricketts,, with his gaze
all the time directed up the street. was ad-
dressing the mutineers again
"You see how things stand, Captain
Rankin l suppose you're captain now. Per
haps the rest of you fellows don't understand
Oulte as well but uox,,n Gt,J Ill IL
it in a little while. The case. is simply that
and my men here have come aboard to help
you out in seizing and running away with this
boat. we have been of use to you already,
ana wei continue to be. | place myself and
my men under your command, captain Pm
sure you won't refuse to accept our SER
Lofty was both Disconnected and angry.
DE looked at Mcpherson. and then at all his
followers in turn. He got no comfort from
them. They were taken all aback. and they
lett 1T to their leader to cope with the situa-
| tion.
Better hurry up and do something" sug
gested Ricketts,, nervously. Seems to me
hear noise up the. street there. It's toe
dark Tor me to see, but there is somebody
coming this way. Listen!''
Every head was inclined. Above the noise
OF the wind and the hundred other indis
the clsttering of horses hoofs and the rumble
of wheels. 80
This sound spurred Lofty into action. II
detail had been; ordered promptly out and
had been given the use of a vehicle, they
had had ample time to come up.
Though few in numbers they would not
hesitate to attack, and, if they gained foot
ing ON the Ventures deck. they would carry
everything before them. Neither the mutt
neers nor Ricketts, followers would stand up
before a determined bayonet charge
"Stations!" cried Lofty.
And the miitineers sprang to obey.
MCPHERSON hurried up into the wheel-house.
while Brophy and Mackey went below to join
Gamble at the engine
The reamining members Of the, mutineers'
company gave their attention to the fasts that
held the vessel to the wharf. AS the fasts
Stand by the sheets and HAlliardsl" sang
Sns tofsy a,y lump alCf couple Of you and
Ricketts, three henchmen, Digby and the
Dstwilsr brothers, were already at work at
the halhards Within two minutes after issr.
Ing his first order In spite of considerable con-
ftslQn, everything was in readiness.
eAll clear, forward and aft!" reported
The wind, meantime, had commenced to
have its effect. and the vessel was BEGINNING
to drift away from the wharf The breeze
was favorable, and Lofty had only to shake
ture's head around.
JustNas he gave the order, Ricketts, shouted
to him from the taffrail
Ricketts, had not left the rail for an instant
ts put @ stood there gazing up thu, street. He was
down upon the wharf at top speed The min,
ute it struck the wharf Ricketts, discovered
that 1t had but one occupant
This individual reined his horse short up.
and, springing down. came running toward
the vessel.
"Hnrry up!" shouted Ricketts,. Intending
his adjuraton for Lofty, of course. "Can,3