The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-19

cargo is powderI"
hoy's captain had climbed aboard. The
anchor had been brought home and
the schooner had started to beat out
to open sea.
"She be gone" the waterman re.
marked indifferently, pointing to the
receding vessel.
Can you catch her?' Cecil demand
ed. the ominous tightening of lips still
in evidence.
For $50. belize" the boatman re
sponded.
DO it." Cecil ordered shortly, and
the mans fingers closed greedily upor
the ten pound note thrust into his
hand.
BE mt no boat in harbor can touch
un. the man said pridefuIly.. Nov
you watch un go,'
Il wish to get aboard without being
seen-run alongside and be silent" Ce
Gil whispered when the dark mass OF
the ship was not fifty yards ahead.
The deck was deserted. except for
the lookout forward and the man at
the wheel and the eyes of the latter
were aloft. Cecil stole along the shad.
ow of the deckhouse toward window
from which came a bar of light, and
the sound of voices. Cautiously peer.
ing in. he could see man whom he
correctly judged to he Captain Pieter.
son and another whom he took to be
the mate
Usual luck ashore. cap'n?" the mate
inquired with leer.
Not so bad-not so bad" Peterson
responded with chuckle and tossed
packet of banknotes upon the shelf
under the window. Eight hundred
and seventy ponnds-that'll mean 1880
good dollars when we tie up at New
York"
reckon you amt takin' that pow.
der in the forward hold to New York;
the mate suggested casually.
Captain Peterson eyed him will
sudden suspicion.
I'VE cleared for New York. didn't
we?' he demanded.
'Oh. l wasn't tryin' to horn in
don't make no difference to me whero
we go. draw my pay by the month"
the mate FASTENED to declare. He turn.
ed to go. and Peterson followed him
with his eyes. Instantly Cecirs long
arm was thrust through the window.
and as quickly withdrawn. with Sa.
rah Gray's fortune grasped in his hand.
Swiftly he moved back to the rail at
the point where the ladder hung and
was In the act Of climbing over when
Wild yell of fury burst from the
deckhouse. telling that Captain Pieter.
son had discovered his loss. At the
same instant powerful hands seized
upon Cecil from behind.
Il got i'm. cap'n-here be the THEIR
voice beloved ut his ear.
Vainly Cecil strove to free himself
from that iron grasp. Men were rush.
Ing from every direction. and an I'm.
muff1ed volley Of oaths told that Pie.
terson had gained the deck. Forced
against the rail. Cecil was directly
above the motorboat and could see So.
'an GRAY looking up at him with fright.
ened eyes. He dropped the packet OF
notes into her lap
Its your money-get away-gop' h,
shouted. and the waterman. desiring tc
get well clear of the trouble that had
broken out aboard the schooner omen.
ed his throttle wide. The launch lean
ed forward and disappeared.
Captain Peterson was charging along
The deck, bawling curses and waving
revolver Suddenly he stopped ms
though paralyzed and the weapon
1ropped unheeded from his neryeless
hand. shrilI cry had cut through
he confusion like lightning fash,
thrilling with terror
Fire I'm the ford hold"
Even as the cry rang out column
II smoke poured from the still opeu
Onward cargo hatch.
ITO the boats for your lives. The
orr cargo is POWDER Lars Peterson