The Washington herald., 1915-09-26

US. we will recapture this ship from the
| mutineers while they arc still gloating
| over the gold they hope to steal"
We all bent our heads together while
| Tom Milligan unfolded his plan to US.
Briefly. it was as follows:
, We were to call and ask Prout to
| hand in some drinking water, a re-
quest he was scarcely likely to refuse.
and as soon as he opened the door a
blanket was to be thrown over his
head. he was to be gagged and bound,
and sut up in the berth. Then the
afterhatches were to be clapped on.
thus shutting the mutineers DIP in the
hold. the helmsman. even if he guess
ed what was taking place. could
scarcely interfere. as there was fresh
breeze blowing, and. if he quilted the
wheel there would be grave risk of
the ship swinging up in the wind. be-
ing taken aback and sending all the
masts over the side.
The success of the plan" said Tom
in conclusion. will greatly depend
upon whether we can induce Prout to
open the door. Now. are we all
ready"
All ready" I whispered.
Tom and I stood, one on each side
Of the door. with blankets. Jerry Win
field had a couple of chest lashings
handy. and Podge held a piece of
wood that was to serve as gag.
Sing out for the water. Podge."
said Tom Not through the port. or
he will hand it in that way. Through
the keyhole. then he will be more
likely to open the door.
Podge nodded and putting his
mouth to the keyhole called out:
will you please hand US in some
drinking water. Prout? We have moth
ing in here to drink" which was true
Prout slouched off to the water-butt
and filled a tin pot.
We waited breathlessIy. Would he
after all pass it through the port? No
He came to the door, we heard the
key turn in the lock, and the next in
slant the door was opened.
Here you-
Before he could complete the sent
ence Tom and had flung the blank
cts over his head and shoulders and
dragged him headlong into the berth.
He struggled furiously. but we were
deseprate, and in three minutes we
had him gagged and securely bound
with the chest lashings
Now. then, boys, Quick, On with
the hatches'" cried Tom
Podge Barrett and I seized one. Jerry
Winfield and Tom the other. and they
were clapped on in a jiffy. Then the
iron hatch bars were dragged across
and the padlocks inserted in the staples
We heard a furious shouting down be-
low, and the helmsman roared out to
know what was the matter
Tom Milligan had possessed himself Of
the revolver which Prout had carried
in his Belt, and. mounting on to the
poop. cody ordered the helmsman to
attend to his steering and hold his
tongue. which he did.
In the meantime Jerry Winfield had
descended to the cabin to release the
captain and mates, while Podge Bar
rett sat on the after-hatch smiling
placidly
Take OF those matches, do you hear7"
roared Jim Hurst. IF you amt quick
about it will pitch you overheard when
I come on deck
when you come on deck" replied
Podge calmly. the ship will be in port
and a few police will be waiting to re-
and chief offioer!''
"The cap'en and mate," muttered
Hurst Were done. boysr'
As the weather remained fine, the
captain. mates and apprentices man
aged to sail the Cleopatra without diff
fculty to Perth, the nearest port Of any
importance, where we arrived four days
later. There the mutineers were handed
over to the civil authorities. to await
their trial for '.mutiny on the high
seas"
As Podge Barrett watched them being
marched away. he muttered thought
fully, II wonder where we should have
been by this time IL Prout had passed
the water in through the port instead
Of through the door"
Copyright. by the Associated Literary |
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