The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-06-03
CHAPTER XII.

In Which | Explain to Her Ladyship.
l gazed directly into his bullying
eyes with a depth of contempt | made
no slightest effort to disguise Then
! arose deliberately to my feet
Anderson, pluck that knife out and
put it back in your belt
I'm damned If"
DO as | say quick. you surly brute"
l interrupted. sternly. Not another
word I'm in command here yet. and
you'll obey orders, or I'll make YOU"
He understood | meant it, with his
innate cowardice plainly apparent, yet
did not yield until futile interfered
with q sarcastic laugh.
The captain isn't exactly the sort
to be handled in that kind O way,
Bill" he said, smoothly He's a
deep-water sailor, not a land-shark,
but l guess he's likely ready enough
by this time to say what he's willin'
to do"
The entire situation seemed to I'M
roll before me like a panorama as
stood there, hastily making up my
mind for action. | was afloat on the
high seas, absolutely powerless to re
sist the set purpose Of these men sur
rounding me, all rendered desperate
by greed. Much as despised Anderson,
| comprehended that his threat was
no idle one; nor did | possess a single
cOmrade on board who would stand
at my back | was utterly alone; nay,
worse even than alone-with two
women dependent upon me. If l out
wardly agreed with these raScals, and
thus retained semblance Of command
over them, | might possibly preserve
all our lives; | could at least for the
the present, protect the women from
insult, perhaps from danger.
Well Mr.. futile" | said, quietly,
Il may as we'll return you my an
swer one time as another | don't give
a tinker's damn for Anderson's
threats, and | don't altogether put
much faith in your yarn. But per
haps it's worth taking a chance at
What is to be my authority on board,
providing | agree to go with you?"
You're the captain"
Absolutely in commando"
He shifted about, appearing a trifle
disconnected under my rapid ques-
tioning.
We'll, yes; in everything concernin'
the discipline an sailin' of the yacht"
he explained. There won't be no
fuss about that job. sir. But we amt
a regular artcled crew, bein that
we're all here on shares in the enter
prise, an so, as regards the purpose
OF the voyage. it'll have to be decided
by majority vote. However, that don t
need make no trouble"
What is to be my share if you find
the treasurer"
He thrust his head out OF the win
dow nearest him. looking up and down
the deck; then he leaned across the
table toward me. lowering his voice
until it was little more than whisper
You get one-fifth, sir; the four OF
US here get one-fifth each; the other
fifth is to be divided among the crew.
Amt that fair enough. SIR"
1T would appear so; yet there is
still another matter of some impor-
lance to be decided first. There are
two women on board; how about
them"
What" The vibrant excitement
of his high-pitched nasal voice was
echoed by the others.
This steam-yacht we have stolen
was the property of the earl OF Oar.
Hngton," / explained Lady Darling
ton and her maid are still on board, in
the cabin aft"
This unexpected and undesirable in.
formation seemed fairly to stun the
fellows. their eyes meeting blankly.
heard Bill Anderson swear.