Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1915-04-02
Gordon CraiQ
SOLDIER
OF
FORTUNE
By RANDALL PARRISH
Copyright. 1872, by A. c. McCIurg 4
Co

You are my prisoner. and you are good
for a ten spot at least Stand up. you
coward" He forced him back against
the rail and glanced about the deck.
The boatswain was coming aft.
We'll Sloan, how did you find
thingsy'
"All serene sir; the whole crew bot
tied up and mighty little fight left in
them
THE engine room?"
''The engineer was bit ugly, sir,
and had TO be manhandled proper.
He's yin in a coal bunker with a sore
head, cussin' blue But the assistant is
young Teller an kin run the engines.
! left him in charge with a couple o.
lads lookin' after him."
"Who has the wheel?"
"Somers, sir
"All right Have steam kept up, and
make the course south southeast. Here,
take this man along also He's the
captain, but no better than the rest"
Henley stared back, with some crazy
hope of resistance, but the great fist of
the boatswain gripped his collar.
Come on. you" he said, jerking him
savagely. Yer bloody pirate make
another crack an FL land yer one Is
he that Henley, sir?' of the lieutenant.
Yes; ever hear of him?'
Have /? Aye, many the time. He's
wanted in Galveston, sir, for somethin'
worse than runnin' arms-it was a
knifin' job, sir"
What became of the girl?"
"The steward took her below and
locked her in before the fracas started"
We went down the companion stairs
together into deserted cabin. No
steward was in evidence, and, finding
the captains stateroom locked, the lieu
tenant kicked open the door and en-
tered. | turned back, explored the
passage and finally dragged Louis out
from dark corner of the pantry.
"0h, Lor'. Massa Craig he whined.
"Ah amt done nuthin', deed All amt,
sahr'
You locked up the girl"
"Ah just had to, sab. Captain Hen
ley he just naturally skin me alive, sab,
if All don't. But All nebber hurt her
none"
Where is she?'
"ln No 8, sab; here-here am de
key"
'All right, LOUIS and i tossed him
into one corner. Now, listen; set
that table and get some food on it
quick. Make coffee, but don't wait
for anything else
Yes, sah'
crossed the cabin and inserted the
key. As the door opened she stood
there waiting. her hands held out.
Tit is all over with? You have
been successful
"Yes, don't worry" and l held her
hands fast, looking into her eyes.
There can be no further trouble.
Captain Henley and his crew are pris-
oners. The lieutenant is in Henley's
cabin, going through the papers. He
wants to have full report ready
when the Saline comes up The three
of US will breakfast together"
You must permit me to wash the
wound OH your head first she insist
ed .'The hair is all matted with
blood. Please"
She ministered to me with womanly
gentleness, parting the matted hair
and cleansing the wound with water.
While in no way serious ii was an
ugly bruise and required considerable
attention. Sitting there on a stool
while she worked l could hear Louis
busting about in the cabin, but my
mind was busy with thousand mat
tiers requiring settlement. At last |
refused to be ministered to any longer.
As we entered the cabin the lieutenant
stood in Henleys door.
Il was looking for you, Craig" he
said coming forward and bowling to
my companion. Here is newspaper
clipping which may be of interest |
found it on the deck"
read it hastily and in silence hand
ed it to her, watching her face as she
read 1t was a local item describing
the finding of a dead body which
could not be identified. The details
of the mans appearance as well as
the clothes worn were carefully de-
picted, evidently in hope some one
might thus recognize the party. She
remained with the bit of paper in her
hands for what seemed long while
while we waited. Then her eyes We're
slowly lifted to our faces.
THAT was Philip Henley" she said
soberly.
Your husband, madam asked the
lieutenant as | remained silent.
Eyes; legally my husband. although
he had driven me from him by dissipa-
ton and neglect. II cannot tell you
the wretched story now"
Nor do ask it," he FASTENED to as
sure her. What is it. MapesT
A bluejacket stood at the foot of the
stairs. one hand lifted in salute.
THE Saline, sir, is alongside and
hailing US. The Doatswain sent me.
sir
We followed the two on deck, and
after one glance about l red her
around the bulge of the cabin to the
narrow deck space astern. The boat
in which we had escaped had been
hoisted into its davifs, and we halted
III its shadow | could perceive the
whiteness Of the saline's deck and the
group of officers on the bridge. The
captain, facing US. followed his hands.
What have you TO report, Mr. Hut
tonT'
The vessel Is in our possession, sir,
ard the crew under guard below"
any fnjuriesf =
None serious, sir
And the captain enley--did you
get himF'