The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1914-07-29
Gordon Craig
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tory His muscles were like iron. his
movements so quick and unexpected
as to put me on the defensive. could
only hold tight. braced for the strain.
yet forced back. in spite of every effort,
inch by inch across the floor, my feet
tacgled in the rug. Neither could
strike nor kick. was weaponless.
and | dare not release his arms for
fear he might possess a gun. But
managed to swing him sideways. the
two of us tripping over the chair and
coming down heavily on the deck.
BY some luck ! landed on top and be-
fore he recovered from the shock had
wrenched one arm free, locking my
fingers in his throat.
He squirmed under me like an eel.
but could not break the grip. his face
purpling. until he lost all power.
Fierce as the battle had been. | re-
tained sufficient sense to loosen my
death grip while the man still breath
ed, lifting my head sufficiently to
glance about. My own breath came
in sobs, and the perspiration almost
blinded me.
Bring me something to tie him
with" ! said brokenly. Anything;
yes. that belt will do
She tore il from the hook on the wall
and thrust ii into my hands. With a
single movement had it buckled Sc
curely about his arms. and was free
to sit up and stare about. A cord
from the portiere curtain draping the
bathroom entrance completed his lash
ings.
BY -. Craig" he snarled. you'll
both wish you'd killed me before you're
done with this job. What chance have
you got to get away?"
THAT is for me to decide" l an
swered But If you open your mouth
again I'll gag you. Now, stop IT, The
first word you utter will mean hand
kerchief in your mouth"
! stopped down and dragged him to
one side. AS | Strengthened up again
she was facing me.
"How did you get here?"
81 found my way through the con-
Meeting bathroom yonder."
'Then-then, we can escape in the
same manner"
II hardly think that will be neces-
sary. I'll go through our friends pock-
cts for his keys" ! turned him over
and began the search. "Ah, a re-
volver. thought probable-in protec-
ton against woman. you cur. Here
are keys: now lets see what they fit"
The third one tried unlocked the
door. but even as I tried them in the
lock my mind swiftly reviewed the
situation. 1t must be open war from
af.r
pect no mercy on board. Yet how was
IL possible to escape. or avoid discov-
cry? To attempt leaving the Sea Gull
before dark would be suicidal. Yet
there was chance that what had oc-
Cured in this cabin could be Kept
concealed for a few hours. until dark
ness gave us better opportunity for
successful action. The memory of
what Henley had said to me the even
ing before-that he was only techni-
cally i'm commands. that for days at a
time he never appeared on deck in per-
son. gave me the clew If he could be
kept absolutely secure in his cabin. I'M
able to create any alarm. we would be
free to plan our escape. There were
but two points of danger to be guard
ed against Herman and the steward.
The former. when he returned from
shore might seek him for final orders,
and the latter. II he failed TO appear In
the cabin for the regular meal. would
endeavor to learn his desires. ! would
have to guard against these contin-
gencies. and. with the first in mind.
stepped across to the bathroom. and
WIS gratitied to learn that the door.
leading into the mates stateroom
could be locked on the inside. With
this private approach barred. l felt
confident of being able To guard the
single entrance remaining.
We'll. what can we do?" she asked
when ! returned.
Keep the fellow tied and wait for
night" | answered soberly. THAT Is
our only chance. The mate is ashore.
We are lying in the cove of IA small Is
land off the Florida coast waiting for
darkness and chance to slip through
into southern waters.
DO you know where this boat Is
bound?"
Yes: Spanish Honduras. We are
loaded with munitions of war;" ! laugh
ed. Il was to be general down
there. I had to play part But you
received my note?'
Yes. and II helped me wonderfully
although even then | scarcely compre-
hended why all this pretense was nee