Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-08-10

the hrst man who attempts to toucl
me"
futile stopped, his jaw working saw
agely, his eyes on mine.
will you promise to keep quiet, 81,
an let us get away out O. this?"
Damn you, mo-" stubbornly, all m,
senses leaving me at sight of his hate
ful face. I'll speak that ship yonde
II I have to fight the crew Of yov
single-handed."
"Then fight, you cockerel, an b.
damned to you'll" reared Anderson
and he pressed past the two OF then
and sprang at me.
1t was hot, swift work, while 1
lasted. l struck twice, laying open tn,
big brute's scalp, and dropping hin
so his head hung dangling down owe
the deck, his body huddled against tn.
rail. l aimed to do as we'll by Tut
tie, but the descending pin landed OF
his uplifted arm, and, before coult
draw back for another blow, the fel
low at the wheel released the spoke,
and jumped at my back, throttling me
with his hands as the weight of his
body crushed me to the planks. Grasp
ing the rail half tore myself loose
rising to one knee, and struck him
twice madly in the face; but others
OF the crew came tumbling on top Of
US, pinning me helplessly down Il
was all the work OF breathless mo
ment, and as lay there, the knee Of
a negro crunching into my chest, saw
De Nova spring to the wheel and
whirl 1t hard down, while futile, his
left arm dangling, his teeth set from
pain, began jangling the bells in the
engine-room. Scarcely had the echo
reached us when a strange voice hailed
sharply from out the dense fog:
Steamer, ahoy! What vessel ID
that?"
Tuttle's nasal voice answered:
Steam yacht Cormorant, Panama
to Easter island, for pleasure, Who
are your"
H. M. s. Victory. on cruise. Stand
BY, while we send boat"
A deep oath sprang to Tuttle's lips,
his fingers convulsively gripping tse
rail. Then he appeared to rally, the
very intensity of his fear making q
new man out Of him.
Lively. lads. clear the deck" he
commanded, harshly. Here, one of
you take the wheel. Now, De Nova,
bundle that fighting fool down into the
charthouse, and stand over him with
a gun. Two OF you FELLOWS carry the
boatswain into the fo'castle; lively,
now"
They were certainly expeditions
enough in my case. dragging me bump.
ing down the steps, and tlinging me in
between table and bench with VIC
lence that made me groan. caught
the glimmer of steel barrel in De
Nova's hand as he drew close the
sliding door.
1T was not nice sing to do. Mons. Ste
phens," he said, not ill-naturedly, but,
by gar out re farsity row it was go.
ing to be done, for shoot xe pistol
very good"
That's all right, De Nova" re.
piled, realizing my complete defeat
and holding no personal grudge
against him. II don't blame you. I've
made my play, and have had enough.
May sit up?"
He nodded carelessly, dropping the
revolver back into his jacket pocket,
yet with his black eyes fastened
shrewdly on my face.
"'Tis re bes' way to talk, monsieur"
pausing to listen to the mingled
sounds without. "Sacre, wonder
wat ze devil was up now!"
We both sat. breathing hard from
our late exertions, listening anxiously,
yet with vastly differing emotions,
hope animating me that this was to
prove capture, or, at least. that some
chance discovery by the, officer visit
ing US would result In the release Of
the women below. But De Nova was
in an agony Of apprehension, the full
peril Of his position clear before him.
We heard the bare feet Of the hurry.
ing sailors patter along the deck, the
strident voice of futile issuing few
final commands, and the faint sound
Of oars in the water alongside. The
officer came slowly up the ladder, and
my heart sank as heard him laugh
carelessly to the mates greeting. l
could distinguish the sound of his
voice, but not the words uttered, and
In some way 1t impressed me with the
thought that the fellow was young, q
midshipman. possibly. who would
prove mere putty under Tuttle's ex.
pert handling. The two went down
the companion-steps together in ap.
parently amiable conversation, and
we could heard the low murmur Of
voices. as the crew hung over the rail
testing with the men-o:.war's men in
the boat below. My eyes met De
Nova's in the semi-darkness. and he
grinned. allowing his teeth.
Messing YER dangerous, monsieur"
he said, easily. ne Oh fox he fool
Eat kid
I attempted no response, my mind al
ready sufficiently heavy from appre.
hension. Oh, for Just . word. merely
an opportunity to cry out our story be.
fore 1t was forever too late! De Nova
must have felt the struggle within me.
for he stretched his legs across the
narrow passage leading to the door.
and ! saw his hand thrust into his
coat pocket. Underneath his genial We
neer he was one to act upon occasion.
absolutely careless Of the result. SO /
waited in silence. my teeth set hard.
my hands clenched. ~ the last YES.
tigs Of hope ooseA slowly out Of me.
They were scarcely ten minutes Be.