The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-01-26
CHAPTER V.-Continued.

There is certainly no watchman
aft" announced. softly. unless he be
found upon the other side of the cabin
Batten down the companionway while
! examine the deck. Two of you men
come with me-
We dropped over the low rail to
gether. moving silently in our stock
ing-feet. The roof Of the cabin. form
ing the quarter deck. extended clear
10 the rail We CROPPED over this shad
owed space as though exploring a
cave. encountering nothing except a
few camp stools. although my fingers
discovered 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 the hatch. the deck being
thus fairly revealed as far as the fun
mel. Beyond all remained black and
impene,rable. A man sat upon bench
against the side of the galley. a dull
red showing from his pipe bowl. His
earliest knowledge of our presence
was when the two men closed on his
windpipe. and | pressed a revolver
muzzle against his cheek.
Not a sound, Jack" I muttered
sternly in Spanish. or else your life
pays for it."
The pipe fell with click to the
deck. the fellows eyes staring up al
us. his opened mouth showing oddly
amid surrounding gray beard. A
moment later. securely gagged and
bound. We rolled his body close in
against the rail.
Il thought | heard bit of blow
and a yelp on the fO'castle just now
eagerly forward stood still. intent
ly listening, staring into the gloom.
Quiet enough there at present
Probably Mr. futile has been attend
Ing to the for'ard watch. Come on
lads and We'll JON forces with him.
Beyond all doubt the main deck was
clear as far as the bridge, and. prOvid
ing Tuttle'S crew had attended tC
their share of the work, as far as the
fo'castle head as well. We advanced
cautiously. keeping close within the
denscr shade along the weather rail
pausin- moment to peer over the
edge of the open hatchway into the
illuminated space below. Two IA
nakas. naked to the waist. their slim
brown bodies glistening. each grasp
ing the handle of 4 coal scoop. were
backed up against bulkhead con
verSinC. while on 4 low stool. tipped
back TO comfortable angle. his fee,
on the rounded croSspiece. a pipe in
his mouth. his hands buried deep In
his pockets, sat white man. with
red face and long. sandy mustaches
His brown oyeralls and pink under
shirt told nothing distinctive. but the
uniform cap. pushed we'll back on his
bristlins stock of hair. proclaimed him
the vessels engineer. AS drew back
from this swift survey. Mr.. Tuttle
suddenly rounded the end of the chart,
house. and. with whispered word o.
inquiry 10 one o. the men. advanced 10
meet me.
Well" sal: as soon rs certain OF
his identity. the after-deck is ours
without a blow: what have you dis
covered forward"
Two men were posted on the TO.
castle. sir" be returned. the disagree
able nasal tone apparent even in his
subdued voice We got them both,
but Mason was pricked with a knife
during the scuffle."
Did you close the fo'castle?"
questioned briefly.
''All fast. sir. but doubt if any of
the crew are below"
Well. there are some down in the
engine room. and the fellow in charge
looks as if 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"
l watched them as they swarmed
Ike rats over the hatchc on bling and
dropped down into the light. There
was a scurryins of bodies. a sharp ex-
change of blows. 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. the knee
OF the big singer at Rodrigues' at his
chest. and futile holding a blue-bar-
relied revolver at his ear. l never be
held an angrier man, but he was help
less as baby. Assured of the future
Of the engine room, l mounted the
steps and took hasty survey of both
bridge and wheelhouse. They were
unoccupied-the vessel was entirely in
cur possession.