The Washington times., 1910-06-10

Viking race from which she sprang. She
saw that tn seanen had no arms ex-
ceDt their Sheath-knives. They were
within easy range OF her pistols. and
they knew, for she had often practiced
the mark. that she was a sure shot.
She could account for two OF them
without moving from the DOOD before
the mob could take a dozen steps. and
with her small sword she could keep
1 the rest Of them at bay. IL they did not
at once give way. until the mate could
gain TIE deck.
She was entirely cool-in fact. in
the fierce distress Of her soul she
rather welcomed a chance for action.
She had pever killed anyone, Of
course, and si.ve for her father and
the man that mad been struck by the
splinter she had never seen anyone
killed, or her view of the possibili-
ties OF the situation would have beer
vastly different
AS TO Francois. he'll stay in irons
| till he is hanged. As 10 where we are
gong, you nave TO right TO any in
formation whatsoever" she answered.
cool!y' and / decline TO give you
! any"
1--WE didn't ship to be commanded by
no woman, grOWled out one man. a
Russian, whom they had picked up at
Bordeaux. 1--WE shipped for q cruise
10 Boston under Captain Hubbell."
AYE, ayei" cried another.
And he's dead continued the Rus
sian.
1--WE took the ship ourselves" said a
third.
And we're goin' TO know where
Z she's gOin'. and all about her, and we
amt goin' 10 serve under no woman.
ana we got 70 nave the release Of the
bo.s'n quick. broke out still an
ether.
where's Mr.. Conant2" cried a sea-
man The cabin hoy told us that you
said he'd got nothin' 10 do with the
ship. and we'd like TO know how you
come to be in command"
Quick as a flash Susan whipped out
the pistol. She covered the men with
II instantly.
u own this ship" she said. quietly.
although her voice did tremble a III
I tie. It was well that the trembling
y as restricted 70 the voice and not
the hand. which held the pistol as
steady as a rock. when my father
died, she became mine. And the mate
IS my mate. shall do what I please
with my own
It was not apparent whether she re-
rerred 70 the mate or 20 the ship, but
her meaning was evident enough
The Greek swcre loudly, a deep
growl came from the rest OF the men.
This said Susan, decisively. lis
mutiny. You will get forward 10 vour
stations at once or 1 viii put a bullet in
you. George, and at this range one
shot ought TO account for two or three
OF the towards behind you. You've
seen me shoot at a mark. and Won
I
But, began the Greek. his eyes
rolling horribly.
Not another word. II you are not
on the quarterback and dispersed in
stantly, shall open fire. and il this
mutiny is repeated 1 shall release the
English officers and the English sail
ors. and we'll see who viii have the
ship then"
Enraged at being thus braved bv q
woman, the man lifted his fist and
shook IL at her. Ills life hung in the
balance OF q hair
You fool," cried the Russian, drag
ginE him back. Don't YOU see she
means business YouU be shot like a
deg. Forward, all OF you"
He turned and led the way. The men,
moving slowly at FIRST finally broke into
a nervous run
susan laughed c0ntempruoUsly al the
frightened rabble and thrust The pistol
I back INTO her belt Raising her voice,
she called Ou- loudly
Il We something more TO say. The frst
man that steps ahsft the maiumast
without orders VIII be shot dead. Now,
don't forget that"
one woman had for the time being
COW Cd whole ships company II was
triumph. surely. but in that triumph
there was a terrible fOretaSLe Of event
ual defeat She would not always be in
Sucn position Of vantage, and the men
whom she had 50 mercilJUsly Inundated
and scorned would at last have the ship
Not once did Susan relax her vigilance
through the e9nE hours OF The afternoon
The sky g - OmlnOus pOrtCuJ Of the
coming storm. but suu she held on
nelu on with every bit OF canvas that
had been set, until the mem-and there
were good Seamt1 among them-WCn-
dered when the order would be given
10 reduce sail.
They knew that Il a storm broke lipOn
lneu with every, mig all standing the
Hiram and Susan would be stripped and
dismasted, IL she were no forced over
~ hE D.. q E.
slant. susan was not unInlndfuI OF the
weather. She wanted 20 teach the men
a lesson and she, therefore, took the
long risk necessary TO impress II on
them.
Presently. toward five bells in the sec
ond dOg-watCh, the Greek and the Rus
sian came abaft- They had apparently
oeen elected spokesman for the crew.
They stopped az the mammasU before
the wOman's warning appraised hand.
Beg pardon, ma am began the
Greek, whose mllder nature better fitted
him to act as spokesman. but there's a
deal OF wind of yOnder, and II Il breaks
on the ship with the canvas on her"
7 told you that I was in charge Of
the ship. Get toward"
But miss
than ever.
There was no resisting that voice and
air and the firm hand on the pistol The
two men turned and went dejectedlv for
''eNA " AZ NlltlE hearts laLEeQ such as Few
men have ever felt for a woman.
Susan waited until the lesson should
nave had time TO sink in before she gave
the order 70 take in the light canvas and
dOuble-reeT the tC1sails. It was for their
salvation as we'll as hers. they realized
and with no thought OF mutinv or anv-
thing but the subject in hand the men
sprdng into the rigging. Susan stepped
back on the poop sufficiently far 10 en-
able her 20 command the men on the
mizzen, in case they should attempt
anything overt.
II was well that the Hiram and Susan
carried large crew, for. working with
incredible rapidly, they had scarcely
made things snug when the s. Oru broke
AS the men tumEled down from aloft
and, in obedience TO e gesture from Su-
san. went forward. Mr.. Ccaant came
out Of the cabin He too. had armed
himself. while below, with Nornington's
sword and pistols -Four or Sve hours
Of sleep had greatly Esfreshed him and
he looked a new man
III take the deck now. Miss Susan"
he began as he reached her side
Susan nodded 10 him.
What sort Of q watch did Won have -
he asked.
The men, led by George. came aft and
demanded to know where the shin was
going and who commanded. and other
Things. They wanted Francois released
too
The insolent dogsr' growled the
mate. What did you do?''
I refused 10 answer their ouestions