The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-09-29


kind" replied, striving earnestly to
initiate her self-possession. Arrange
ments on board have not yet assumed
definite shape. so that can make no
promise concerning your future. can
merely assure you present safety, and
pledge you every comfort the yacht
affords while you remain with us"
She continued to gaze at me
strangely, her eyes filled with ques-
tioning.
Then you--you refuse to tell us
our fate?"
Merely because / do not know II.
AS I said before l am only one man
pitted against 90"
She pressed her hand over her eyes,
as though she would hide from me
the sudden horror pictured within their
depths.
What are you?" she exclaimed,
suddenly, her lips trembling. Into
whose hands have we fallen? l beg
that you answer me honestly-why
have you stolen this yacht? What
real purpose underlies this terrible
outrage?"
made no effort to disguise the
deep sympathy / felt for her, yet
there was nothing I could answer but
must have sounded both harsh and
cruel.
THE motive animating the men in
control is similar to that which rem
ders possible most of the desperate
deeds of the world-the search after
treasure"
Treasure" she gasped, thoroughly
bewildered Where do you propose
going to search?"
Far south, into the Antarctic"
The expression on her face was pitt
full, yet stood helpless to comfort.
"Merciful God! And you actually
mean to bear us with you into that
forsaken sea of ice? Oh, surely you
jest, you seek to frighten; you cannot
be earnest in such act of cruelty.
Whom can I believe? What can
hope? You have told me you were
the captain of this crew of buccaneers,
and yet you say you can accomplish
nothing with them to forward our re-
lease. Then take me to those who
can! Let me beg upon my knees for
mercy Surely, surely we are of no
value to you in your search after
treasure. We are only weak, helpless
women. Think of what this must
mean to me, and be merciful"
There was no trace of tears in her
eyes, but it was the white, agonized
face, the unconsciously outspread
arms Of appeal, that smote me. felt
all my limbs tremble, my lips falter,
asI made swift response.
Lady Darlington, believe me,
have no desire except honestly to
serve you, The actual truth is, / Ihave con-
sented to retain what is a purely NOM
inal command of this vessel, with no
other purpose except that such out
ward authority yields me some OPP
portunity to assist and protect you.
Otherwise / would spurn the whole
affair and defy these outlaws to do
their worst. 1t was deplorable ac-
cident that brought me here and
placed me in this situation. Prac-
tically | am as much a prisoner on
board as yourself Later, if the op-
portunity ever be given, shall relate
you my story, and then, perhaps, you
will appreciate how perfectly helpless
! am to overrule the decision of this
vessels crew They are mad with the
lust Of gold, crazed by the prospect
Of suddenly achieving vast wealth
through a single bold stroke. Would
the tears Of woman influence them
now? would the impotent threat Of a
single, helpless man? They are armed,
determined, desperate.
The only thing can do Is appar-
emily to yieid to them, trusting thus
70 persuade them into some measure
p mercy; and the only thing you can