New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1915-10-06
nat ever came down this river.


room companionway and shut those
doors and latch them. That will take
care Of John, the cook. The deck
hand is away with the varlet That
leaves only the shipmaster and the
women captives.
while you are busy in this way.
Lafitte. will hunt for Peterson. the
master, who very likely is sitting quiet
main danger lies with him. While
attend to him, you. L'Olonnois, run aft.
You will find there two ladies, one
very old and ugly. the other very young
and very beautiful. See that they do
not escape and hold them there until
] come aft to meet you.
"All this must go through as we
have planned. Once the maiden is in
our power and the ship our own we
will head downstream for the open
sea-"
Swiftly, but silently, we swept in
under the lee Of the Belle Helene. The
landing ladder had not been drawn up
after Davidson's departure, so that the
boarding party had easy work ahead.
sprang upon the deck, my footballs
deadened by the rubber mating which
lay along all the decks. turned.
Above the rail behind me rose the face
of Lafitte, masked. The long blade of
Malay creese was in his teeth. In one
hand he held pistol, using the other
as he climbed. He scraped out of his
belt as be came aboard l know not
how many pistols, which fell into the
water, but still, God wot, had abun-
dant remaining. Nor did L'Olonnois,
close behind him, his samurai sword
between his teeth, present spectacle
less awesome. breathed sudden
prayer that these might meet with no
resistance, else l could only fear the
direst consequences.
made quick motion with my hand
even as sprang forward in search of
Peterson. The dull thud of the engine
room hatch an instant later assured
me that LATTE had performed the
most important part Of the work as
signed to him. Forsooth, ere long he
had done all his work as laid out for
him. It CHANGED that as he sprang to
the doors of the forward saloon he
met John. the Chinaman. Reaching
for him with one hand, he closed the
doors with the other with such prompt
ness and precision that the cue Of
John was caught In the door, and he
was imprisoned below, where he howl
ed in much grief and perturbation, IN
able to escape without the sacrifice of
his cue.
Meantime I found Peterson, my old
skipper, much as had expected. He
was middle aged, placid, we'll poised
man. pessimist in speech, but a bold
man in soul. He was fond Of an even
ing pipe, and he sat now smoking and
looking down the illuminated lane
made by our searchlight. He turned
toward me, a sudden curiosity upon his
face, as he saw that l was a stranger
on the boat, though not a stranger to
himself.
"Sir-Mr. Harry he began, half
rising.
reached out my left hand and
caught him by the shoulder. In my
right hand held pistol, and this,
somewhat gayly, waved before Peter
sons face. HALT" said l, "or I will
blow you out Of the water!' phrase
which had found sufficient in earlier
circumstances.
The old man smiled pleasantly and
in mock fashion put up both his
hands. Had it been any one else he
probably would have knocked him
down. AL right, Mr.. Harry" said
he; you will have your joke. But,
tell me, what's up? We weren't ex-
pecting you here. Mr.. Davidson's gone
ashore"
"Just lark, Peterson" said I.
had slipped down the mask so that he
could see me plainly.
by George, sir" said he, II am glad
to see you back on the old boat again!
Where have you been?"
"Just come on board, Peterson" said
I. II am going to run her now my
SELF Money not paid over" It stretch
ed my conscience bit, although the
truth was had Davidson's uncashed
check in my pocket at the time.
We've all had our pay regular" he
rejoined. why, what's wrongT'
But I haven't had mine, Peterson"
said I. when the charter money
isn't paid and an owner has reason to
suppose that his boat is going to be
run out of the country he has to act
promptly, you understand? So have
taken my own way. The Belle Helene
Is in my charge now, and you will re-
port to me for orders"
whats that squallingT' demanded
Peterson. who was a trife hard of
hearing.
Something seems wrong with John,
the cook" I answered. II only hope
he has not made any resistance to my
men, who. promise you, are the most
desperate lot that ever cut throat
m VYyRy