, 1909-04-29

We dropped over the low rail to-
eether, moving silently in our stock
ng-feet. The roof of the cabin, form
ng the quarter deck. extended clear
o the rail. We CROPPED over this shad-
owed space as though exploring a
rave. encountering nothing except a
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 h hatch, the deck being
hus fairly revealed as far as the fun
mel. Beyond all remained black and
impenetrable. A man sat upon a bench
against the side of the galley. a dull
red showing from his pipe bowl. His
earliest knowledge of IL presence
was when the two men closed on his
windpipe. and / pressed a revolver
muzzle against his cheek.
mot a sound. Jack" I muttered
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 a surrounding gray beard. A
moment later. securely gagged and
bound, we rolled his body close in
against the rail.
Il thought | heard a bit of a blow
and a yelp on the f~o'castle just now
sir, said one of h men. pointing
eagerly forward. l stood still. intent
ly listening, staring into the gloom.
Quiet enough there at present.
Probably Mr.. futile has peer attend
Ing to the for'ard 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 well. We advanced
cautiously. keeping close within the
d,..ser shade along the weather rail.
pausing a 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 a coal scoop, were
backed up against a bulkhead CON
versing, while on a low stool. tipped
back to a comfortable angle, his feet
on h 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" I said as soon as certain of
his identity, the after-deck is ours
without a blow; what have you dis,
covered forward?"
1.-TWO men were posted on the To-
castle. sir" he returned. the disagree
able nasal tom apparent even in his
subdued voice. I'VE got them both.
but Mason was pricked with a knife
during the scuffie."
did you close the fo'castle?" |
questioned briefly.
All IaSt, SIT, out 1 uOuDt II any Oh
the crew are below"
well there are some down in the
engine room, and the fellow in charge
looks as II he might fight on occasion.
Take half a dozen men with you, and
jump below. The Kanakas won't make
any serious trouble, but you had bet
ter clap a gun to the engineer"
/ watched them as they swarmed
like rats owe the hatch-combing and
dropped down into the light. There
was a scurrying Of bodies, a sharp ex
change of blows. a yelp of alarm from
the startled Kanakas, a stout volley
of English oaths, and, when the tangle
partially cleared away. the engineer
was lying fiat on his back. he knee
OF the big singer at Rodrigues' at his
chest, and Tuttle holding a blue-bar
relied revolver at his ear. never be
held an angrier man, but he was help
less as a baby. Assured of the future
of the engine room, l mounted tbs
steps and took a hasty survey of botl
bridge and ~wheelhouse. They Were
unoccupied-the vessel was entirely il
our possession.