, 1909-04-22

less MAJ :, you decide to TURF this
expedition into piracy, an give 'eu
half the spoils. They're that sort, ali
right
1 Strengthened back in my chair. m,
Jaws set | }ri, my gaze endeavorinf
vainly TO ca CHI and hold his shift,
eye.
Mr.. futile" I said, sternly, "as
understand matters / am captain thi
cruise. and you're mate. Whenever
desire your advice I'll probably ask TO.
1t. Just at present please confine
yourself to my questions. What crew
have your"
The expression of his face wa
angry enough, yet he evidently
thought best to answer civilly.
First and second officers, boatswain
and gunner, five co~al-heavers, the resi-
seamen.'
Nationality"
Every mongrel race under tho
sky"
You have no engineer"
Couldn't pick up any: however
there's n on board, and. no doubt
we can persuade him to stick to the
job"
The mans manner and tone re
NAMED surly and iAsolent. but
gripped my ind'gnation and held bao,
the hot words burning my tongue. /
was necessary that I make the best o.
it now, but after we we're once safely
at sea intendo' very shortly to talk
the measure of T. is Yankee whalemar
My eyes wandered toward the olive
tinted face of De Nova, barely visibl,
through the envoloping smoke OF hi,
cigarette. The latter nodded cheer
fully. as though he Interpreted m,
thought.
oh. re men vas all right, mon
sieur." he put in. smilingly. Maybe
a bit rough, but, sacre, wat woult
you?" his shoulders rising to the que.
ton. Mr.. futile he grumble, but /
was all bark. | know him. an I ra7
ger have him so ian hear him talk t
re spirits; wen he do Eat. 1t make IN
sick. by gar!"
You blaspheming. mongrel inidel. 81
the whaleman's nasal voice risil,.
shrill with anger. Il don't have t.
count beads in order to lift my sou! e..
the other world"
There is liable to be fiehtins
enough before morning" / interpose
sharply, fearing a quarrel. "wiiho-t
comrades falling out about their b
lief. Leave that for lubbers ashore
to argue owe Now tell me what ar
engagements have been made for board
ing the E~smeralda?"
futile spat into the sawdust. his
axe still on De Nova.
Two boats concealed beneath th
piling of the Mercantile Company's
coal wharf; a whaleboat and a cutter
Any arms?"
"A dozen rifles, six in each boat"
| arose to my feet. glancing at my
watch in the dim light. He had MOI
given me the customary sir" in an.
of his replies. yet | ignored the omis,
sion, willing for the time being to
sink formality for the sake of action
Very well. Mr.. futile. Have your
men there in an hour from now. The J
mad better travel n parties of two:
and see that they start out sober. You
understand these orders clearly. I
hope. sir-have them there in an hour.
sober. De Nova. you must know how
to bring sailor-men to their senses :
get busy with that gang. Now work
rapidly and quickly. both of you, for il
we get caught, this is likely to be a
hanging matter for all of u.s."
| stared at the two of them for Just
an instant-De Nova on his feet, Tut
tie leaning forward in his chair-and
stepped forth into the outer room.
closing the door behind me. =
drunken yell greeted my re-entranc'
into the boisterous crowd, but isnor
ing everything, glancing neither u
right nor left. l picked my way through
the motley gathering out into the wei
come blackness Of the night.