The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-08-30

didn't come here to beat Hollis up,
but to talk with him. This is my
game" 70
The other did not resist, only to
mutter behind his teeth. The gun still
glistened in his hand, but I felt no
fear of the fellow, and returned the
stool to the deck.
'Tell me what you mean, and be
brief about It,"
McCann's eyes met mine, and I read
In them uncertainty. He was not yet
quite sure that he had my measure {;
how far I would resist, or what form
my opposition would take. Perhaps
for moment money did not seem to
him quite SO important weapon as
he had found it elsewhere.
''I'm sorry the crew beat you up
the way they did," he began apologet-
lcally. 'They are a rather rough
set"
Don't waste your time over that"
/ interrupted in disgust. II can deal
with an out-and-out fighter, and still
respect him, but your kind only en-
genders disgust. There is no love
lost between us, Fergus McCann, 80
state your purpose plainly, and with
out lying"
by God! I WILL" he snapped, land
I'll put it straight enough this time
to satisfy you. The only reason I
don't let Liverpool kill you is that you
are more valuable to me alive. I've
hated some In my time, but there never
was cur 1 despised worse than l do
you"
Thanks" I said quietly, II am hon.
ored."
"And mere than that, I pay my
debts" his temper now entirely ruined
by my pretense Of Indifference. $50
| advise you to keep a civil tongue In
YOUR head-you're no longer in com.
mand Of this Ship"
I smiled at the two of them, calmly
sitting down on the stool. was not
certain yet what hand l held, but
determined to play the cards coolly.
$50 you fellows are in control; and
you come to me now with some sort
Of proposition. All right; what is it?"
1--WE need a navigator for a few
days; one who will lay out the course
we decide on"
"And l am the only one on board"
'iou are by far the most compe-
tent" he confessed. But you need
not think from that we are helpless
without you. l have no doubt l could
figure the matter out fairly we'll If l
had to, and l am perfectly aware that
Miss Darlington possesses some knowl-
edge Of navigation. I imagine you
might prefer doing this yourself, rather
than having her compelled to show her
efficiency"
"Where is Miss Carrington?"
I'm her own stateroom; l have not
seen her since we took possession of
the ship" "
Sand the others-Bascom, and the
ofticers?"
'They're all right" broke in Liver
pool, Except for some sore heads. We
downed the owner and the second mate
easy, but Leayord and the engineer
made some trouble. and had to be
soaked. We got 'em oil quiet enough
now, where they can't make any
trouble"
: "Where are they confined"
He winked ut me in q half-drunken
ieer.
(Which is none O. yer business
hey, Mr.. McCann?" .,,.
The impudent manner Of the fell
low served to fully awaken me to q
realization of the helpless position l
occupied. l held back the first hot
retort on my lips, and forced smile.
II get the idea," said, pretending a
good nature l was far from feeling.
II am to merely work under orders.
Well, I'd rather do that than let you
wreck the ship, and perhaps drown
the whole company. What Is your
object in this affair? You surely don't
hope to dispose Of this vessel and
cargO?"
mo, DON'T" and Mccain took a
step forward, his hand resting on the
desk. ITO be frank with you, Hollis,
this affair has gone further than l
intended; it got the start Of me while
you held me prisoner aft here in the
cabin. There's nothing for me to do
now but work out of the fix as best
l cam"
"Nlutiny, then, was not part Of your
original planT'
mot open mutiny-no. I'm no fool,
and know what that means. l start
ed in to make the crew dissatisfied,
so they would force you to put back
to an American port. offered them
money, but with no intention Of resort
ing to force. Then you locked me up,
and this other thing happened. We've
gone too far now to back out. We
don't mean to get caught. So it's up to
you to decide whether the Indian Chief
remains atloat. and no lives lost; OF
whether tho old hooker is never heard
of again."
you'd scuttle the shipT'
"That's for you to decide; it's my
advice to you not to take the chance"
l could scarcely believe he meant