The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-05-13

Hold hard" I whispered. the wo
passing back from man to man. ''TN o
remain with the boat, the rest follow
me"
l crept silently up into the chains
and peered cautiously over onto the
open deck. 1t was wrapped in dark
ness and silence, the sole CLEAN OF
revealing light coming tom out the
open main-hatch, and that only the
merest glimmer slightly Illuminating
the ship amidships. There was a lamp
alight in the after-cabin. but the
shades were drawn so closely | could
scarcely perceive its presence. | be
came aware that De Nova stood be-
side me.
There is certainly no Waterman
aft | announced. softly, unless he he
found upon the other side of the cabin
Batten down the companionway while
| examine the deck Two of you men
come with me-"
We dropped over the low rail TO-
gether, moving silently in our stock
ing-feet. The roof Of the cabin. form
ing the quarter deck. extended clear
10 the rail. We CROPPED over this shad-
owed space as though exploring A
cave, encOuntering nothing except
few camp stools. although my fingers
discovered a goodly sized boat swing
ing from davits across the stern. From
the opposite side we could peer for
ward toward the dim light streaming
from out the hatch, the deck being
thus fairly revealed as far as the fun
mel. Beyond all remained black and
impenetrable 4 man sat upon a bench
against the side of the galley, a dun
red showing from his pipe bowl His
earliest knowledge of our presence
was when the two men closed on his
Windpipe, and ] pressed a revolver
muZzle against his cheek.
Not a sound Jack" muttercd
sternly in Spanish. or else your life
pays for it."
The pipe fell with a click TO the
deck the fellows eyes staring up at
us, his opened mouth showing oddly
amid surrounding gray beard A
moment later, securely gagged and
bound, we rolled his body close in
against the rail
Il thought | heard bit of a blow
and yelp on the focastle just now.
sir said one of the men, pointing
eagerly forward ! stood still. intent
ly listening, staring into the gloom.
Quiet enough there at present.
Probably Mr.. futile has been attend
ing to the forard watch Come on,
lads, and we'll join forces with him"
Beyond all doubt the main deck was
clear as far as the bridge, and provid-
ing Tuttle's crew had attended to
their share of the work as far as the
fo'castle head as we'll We advanced
cautiously, keeping close within the
denser shade along the weather rail.
pausing moment to peer over the
edge OF the open hatchway into the
Illuminated space below Two Ka-
nakas, naked to the waist. their slim,
brown bodies glistening, each grasp.
Ing the handle of coal scoop. were
backed up against bulkhead con
NeISlu5, WHlle on low STOOL, tlDped
back 10 a comfortable angle. his feet
on the rounded crosspiece, a pipe in
his mouth, his hands buried deep in
his pockets, sat a white man, with
red face and long. sandy mustaches
His brown overalls and pink under
shirt told nothing distinctive. but the
uniform cap, pushed well back on his
bristling stock of hair, proclaimed him
the vessels engineer As drew back
from this swift survey. Mr. futile
suddenly rounded the end of the chart
house, and, with whispered word OF
inquiry to one of the men, advanced to
meet me.
We'll" | said as soon as certain Of
his identity, the after-deck is ours
without blow; what have you dis
covered forward"
Two men were posted on the TO-
castle, sir" he returned, the disagree
able nasal tone apparent even in his
subdued voice. Eve got them both,
but Mason was pricked with a knife
during the scufie."
did you close the fo'castle." I
questioned briefly