The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1910-03-10
CHAPTER v.-continued.

AAf4N - ANA NAAAAt IA "aNNlA41A
oft" ] 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 u stock
ing feet. The roof Of the cabin, form
Ing the quarter deck. extended clear
10 the rail. We groped over this shad-
owed space as though exploring a
cave. en~counterInR nothing except a
few camp stools. although my fingers
discovered a Eocdly sized boat swing
ing from dayits 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
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 our presence
was when the two men closed on his
vindpipc. and l pressed a revolver
muzzle against his cheek.
Not a sound. Jack" I muttered
steruly In Spanish. "or else your lie
pays for e."
The pipe foil with a click 20 the
deck. the fellows eyes staring up az
US. his opened mouth showing oddly
amid a surrounding gray beard. A.
moment later. securely gagged and
bound, we rolled his body close 10
against the rail
II thought ! heard a DC OF a blow
and a yeip on the fo'castlo just now
sir" said one Of the men. pointing
eagerly forward ] stood SIN. intent
ly listening. staring into the gloom.
Quiet enough there al present
Probably Mr. futile has been attend
ing 90 the for'ard watch. Come on.
lads. and ven Join forces with him
BEYOND an doubt the main deck was
clear as Tar as the bridge. and. proyid
ing Tuttlo's crew had attended 20
their share of tho work. as far as the
fo'castlc head as well We advanced
cautiously. keeping close within the
dcuFcr shade along the weather rail.
pausiuF a moment TO peer over the
edge 81 tho open hatchway into the
Illuminated space below. Two Ka
nakas naked To the waist their slim
brown bodies r~listcniue. each grasp
ing tho handle OF a coal scoop, were
backed up against a hulkhcad con
vcrslur while on q low stool. tipped
back to a comfortable angle. his feet
on tho rounded c~rusgpicce. a pipe I'm
bis mouth. his hands buried docp IN
his pockets sat a white man. with
red face and long. sandy mustachcE
His brown oycrallE and pink under
shirt told nothing distinctive. but the
uniform cap. pushed we'll back on his
brlstling stock Of hair. proclaimed him
tho vessels engineer. As ! drew back
from this swift survey. Mr. futile
suddenly rounded tho end OF the chart
house. and. with whispered word OF
inquiry TO one 90 tho mon. advanced TO
meet me.
We'll I said as soon as certain OF
his Identity, "tho auerdcck IS oun
without a blow what have you dis.
covered forward"
TWO men were posted on the TO-
castle, SIR, no returned. tho disagree
able nasal lone apparent even iR his
subducd voice. we GOT them both.
but Mason was pricked with a knife
during the scurio,
"pid you close the fo'casuo." !
questioned briefly,
AN fast. cir, but I doubt u any OF
the crew arc below"
"Wou. there are some down IN the
engine room, and the fellow Ia charge
looks as Il be might fight on occasion.
Take half a dozen men with you. and
Jump below. The KanaEas won't make
any serious trouble. but you had bot,
ter clap a gun TO the engineer,
watched them as they swarmod
like rats over the h-atch-combing and
dropped down into the light There
was a s~currying OF bodies, a sharp oX.
change Of blows, a yelp OF alarm from
the startled k2nukas. a stout yoliry
OF English oaths, and. when the tangle
partially cleared away, the engineer
was lying Tat on his back. the knee
of the big singer az Rodriguez az bis
chest. aud futile holding a bluohar
relied revolver Rt HIS ear, I never DO
hold an angrier man. but he wa help