The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-03-18

low at the wheel released the spoRes
Aad jumped at my buck, throttling me
with his hands as the weight Of bis
body crushed me to the planks. Grasp
inE the rail l half tore myself loose.
rising to one knee. and struck him
twice madly Ia the face; but others
OF the crew came tumbling on top OF
us, pinning me h~elplessly down. 1t
was all the work Of o breathless mo-
nent, and as | lay there, the knee OF
a negro crunchlng 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 Is
that"
Tuttle's nasal voice answered:
Steam yacht Cormorant, Panama
to Easter island. for pleasure. Who
are you?"
H. NJ. s. Victory, on cruise. Stand
by, while we send a boat"
A deep oath sprang 10 Tuttle's lips,
his fingers conyu1slvely gripping the
rail. Then he appeared 10 rally, the
very intensity OF his fear making a
new man out Of him.
Lively. lads. clear the deck" he
commanded, harshly. Here. one OF
yo,, take the wheel; Now, De Nova,
bundle that fighting fool down into the
| c%harthouse, and stand over him With
a gun. Two Of you fellows carry the
boatswain Into the io'castle; lively,
now"
They were certainly expeditions
enough In my case. dragging me bump
ing down the steps. and flinging me In
between table and bench with a VIC
lencc that made me groan. caught
the gIimmer Of a steel barrel In De
Nova's hand as. he drew close the
sliding door.
at wa not nice sing to do. Mons. Ste
phens," he said, moi: il%l.naturedly, but,
by CUR. out re tarsity row It was go
Ing 10 be done. for ! shoot re pistol
very good"
That's MI 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 Ind enough
May sit up?"
He nodded c%arelessly. 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
pauslng to- listen to the mingled
sounds without. "Sacre, | wonder
wat re devil was up now!"
We both sat, breathing hard from
our late exertions. listening a~nxiously'
yet with vastly differing emotions,
hope animating me that this was to
prove a capture, or, at least, that some
chance discovery by the officer visit
Ing US would result In the relense Of
the women below But De Nova was
in on agony Of apprehension, the full
peril OF his position clear before him
We heard the bare feet Of the hurry
ing sailors mtter along the deck. the
slridcnt voice of futile issuing a few
final commands, and the faint sound
OF. oars In the water alongside. The
officer came slowly up the ladder, and
MY heart sank us | heard him laugh
carelessly TO the mates greeting.
could distinguish the sounS Of his
voice. but not the words uttered, and
In some way 1t impressed ne with The
thought that the fellow was young. a
mldshipman, possibly, who would
prove mere putty under Tuttle's en-
pert handling. The two went down
the companIon.steps together In ap'
~parcntiy amiable conversation, and
we could heard the low murlnur OF
voices as the crew hung over the rail
Testing with the men.o.war's men In
the boat below. My eyes met Dc
Noya's In the seml.darkness. and he
grinucd, showing his teeth.
Messing YER dangerous, monsieur"
he said. easily. re OIL fox he fool
zat lid"
! attempted no response, my mind al
ready sufficiently heavy from appre'
! henston. Oh. for just a word, merely
an opportunity 10 cry out our story be-
ioro It was forever too late! De Nova
must have fell the struggle within me,
for lie stretched his legs across the
narrow passage Leading to the door,
and ! saw HIS hand thrust into his
cont pocket. Underneath his genial We
necr he was. one to act upon occasion,
absolutely careless Of the result. So
waited In silence, my teeth set hard,
my hands clenched. as the last YES
tige Of hope oozed slowly out Of me,
They were scarcely ten minutes be
low, coming up chatting In rare good
fellowship, the officer clinging 10 the
rail. his feet on the ladder, while he
completed some story he had been
relating with much gusto. Then VIC
heard plainly the dip Of oars. growing
gradually fainter In the distance, feet
battered on the deck plunks. Tutlle's
voice sounded from the bridge, and
the vessel began t%hrobbing to the
steady chug Of the screws. We were
safely under way again, pressing our
sharp bow into the ifog.bank. Unable
to control my weakness, J buried my
face IN my hands, |. 93z;s /. u. !.
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