The Montgomery tribune., 1910-02-25
CHAPTER TX,
In Which / Learn Our Port.

| sank down into the depths OF an
upholstered divan without, rested my
head within my hands. and endeavored
earnestly to collect thought and nerve
for the coming struggle. The terrible
ness of our situation only became
more apparent as considered 1t in
the light of the discoveries already
made, and in my understanding of the
nature of those with whom | was now
associated. Neither Tuttle nor De
Nova had ever mistaken the Sea
Queen for the warship Esmeralda. 1t
was impossible to conceive that these
two trained seamen could have made
such an error, or that the men under
ceiyed. Tuttles boat came up directly
beneath the bows, with the riding
lamps burning brightly and revealing
the name; every man aboard must
have seen 1t plainly Yet what OBJ
ject could have led to so desperate an
act of piracy? What part was l des-
tined to play in the final working out
of their lawless scheme?
The longer studied over the prob
lem the more thoroughly did become
mystified and confused. What could
these men ever hope to accomplishAin
this lawiess fashion? They must be
fools or madmen. This was not the
age of piracy; every league of sea was
patrolled; every port protected by
telegraphic communication.
Difficult as my own situation un-
doubtedly was, apparently helpless
among this crew of sea devils, with
out man on board In whom could
put trust, 1t was rendered thousand
times harder by the presence of those
two women. In what way could pro-
tect and serve them? l wondered If
all the crew forward were in the plot,
or were the leaders alone involved?
Could count on finding single hon
est sailor in all that riffraff who would
stand by me in revolt? There were
others on board--the three seamen
and the engineer of the yachts crew,
the Chilean officer captured on shore
but they were prisoners, far more
helpless even than myself. The longer
thought the darker grew the pros
pect, the closer the cords of Fate
pressed about me. There was moth
ing to do except to face the conspira-
tors boldly, and thus ascertain the
whole truth. / glanced upward at the
telltale compass overhead-the yes.
sells course had already been altered;
we were now headed westward, direct.
ly out into the broad Pacific.
! met Tuttle at the end of the
bridge, clinging to the handrail, his
oilskins Tapping In the head wind. He
never glanced toward me, the cool.
studied insolence of the fellow causing
me to feel more deeply than over be-
fore his consciousness of power.
The yacht is several points off her
course, Mr.. Tuttle,' l said, sharply,
determined to test him. May ask
II the change was made by your
order?"
He swept one long arm toward the
north, and. following the direction of
his finger, dimly perceived spiral
of black smoke barely visible above
the horizon.
Il thought we had better sheer off,
as there was no guessing who that
fellow yonder might prove to be-"
l remained silent, watching the dis
tant smudge, and occasionally CLAN
cling aside into his imperturbable face.
He yawned sleepily.
Il rather guess one of us had better
turn in, Mr.. Stephens" he suggested
finally, for wen have to arrange
about our watches aft"
Presently, Mr.. Tuttle; we haven't
breakfasted yet. Meanwhile | should
prefer to understand matters a little
more clearly. I've just been through
the cabins None OF the yachts offs
GERS are ON board"
! could see his thin lips drawn
back in sinister grin, which re-
yealed his yellow teeth
THE Lord helpeth those who help
themselves" he returned, piously. up
rolling his eyes. The race Is not al
ways to the swift, nor the battle to
'he strong"