The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-04-16
eCaptain of
the Kansas.
By LOUIS TRACY.
Author of The Wings of the Mornin ~
The Pillar of Light" Etc.
Copyright, 1906, by Edward ]. clode.

tempt the enterprise at all. So Suarez
slept soundly while his companions |
were on the qui vive for call to repel |
boarders. Were it not for the strain
induced by the silent menace of their
savage neighbors the small company
suffered no i'll from their prolonged
stay in this peaceful anchorage There
was work in plenty for all hands
Walker was REINFORCED by a trio Of
f1remen whose technical knowledge, |
slight as it was, proved useful when
he began to fit and connect the dis
abled machinery. For the rest, the
promenade deck was walled with
strong canvas, while Courtenay and
Tollemache gave undivided attention
to the fashioning of several other float
ing bombs which could be exploded
from the ship. They also provided
flexible steam pipes in places where a
rush might be made If the Indians once
secured a footing on the deck, fore or
aft. Steam was kept up constantly in
the donkey boiler not alone for the
electric light and the daily working of
the pumps, as the Kansas had not
blundered over the shoal without
straining some of her plates, but for
use against the naked bodies of their
possible assailants.
When day followed day without any
sign Of hostility not man on board
save Suarez and Tollemache paid
much real heed to the shoreward peril.
Walker, with his hammers and cold
chisels, screw jacks and wrenches, was
the center of interest. And Walkers
swarthy visage wore permanent grin,
which presaged well for the fulf1llment
of his promise.
Elsie devoted herself to the hospital
She was thus brought more in contact
with Christobal than with any of the
others. Nor did he make this close &C.
Quaintance irksome to her. Always
suave and charming in manner, he
exerted himself to be entertaining
Though she knew full we'll that if the
Kansas reached the open sea again
he would ask her to marry him, he
was evidently content to deny himself
the privileges of courtship until a prop
er time and season.
| She was far too wise to appear to
avoid Courtenay. Indeed, she was stu
diously agreeable to him when they
met. She adopted the safe role Of
good fellowship, fattering herself that
her own folly would shrink to nothing
ness under the hourly castigation thus
inflicted.
After the midday meal on Christmas
day-a sumptuous repast, for the due
/ ~ ~, la
to the Chilean cooks assistance in the
matter Of the plum pudding-Suarez
suddenly reported that a new column
of smoke was rising from Guanaco
| hill, crag dominating the eastern
side Of the bay. He was unable to at
tribute any special significance to the
signal on that particular place. Dur
ing his five years with the Alaculof
tribe he had never seen fire lighted
there before. That in itself was fact
sinister and alarming
Suarez had sufficient tact not to make
this statement publicly. He told Chris
tobal, and the doctor passed on the in
formation to the captain Both men
went to the poop with their glasses and
carefully examined the coast line.
Courtenay was the first to break an
oppressive silence, and his low pitched
voice announced stirring tidings
do you see those canoes yonder?'
he said. ''There were three under the
trees before Suarez discovered the
smoke on Guanaco Now l fancy 1
can make out nearly a dozen. Though
they are not launched, they have been
put there for some purpose WouIC
you mind going forward and asking
Mr.. Boyle to summon all hands OIL
deck? He knows exactly what to do
Remember that regard you and Miss
Maxwell as noncombatants and expec
you both to remain in the salon. Il
these painted devils really mean to at
tack, some of us will get hurt, and thel
your services will be Of greater value
than in the fighting line. And if I d.
not see Miss Maxwell before the trou
bic begins please tell her she need feal
no alarm. We shall be able to beat OF
our assailants with comparative ease.
When the captain of the Kansas
spoke like that, there was no gainsay
ing him. Even ChristobaI. whose jeal
Gus suspicious were ever ready to burs
into fame, was reused to enthusiasm
by his cool gallantry.
But ere the Spaniard turned to go
disturbing thought forced its way t
his lips.
t I'VE have every confidence in you,
he said, land admit that it should b
E a simple matter to prevent the savage
from gaining the upper hand. Yet az
cidents happen. Suppose they manag
to rush your defense?"
''They will not do that while l an
every other man on deck is alive.
the worst comes to the worst, 20
have q revolver
n YES" said Christobal.
'It will suffice for two, but not for
hundred"
i The two men, united by the yer
y bond which threatened to bring ther