The Pulaskian., 1917-11-16

terrible weapon. Twice men fell, but there were too many of them, nor could 1 protect my rear. They swarmed to either side. and clainbered up behind me; the low beams of the upper deck permitting no swing to my arms; one fellow gripped my feet, and another leaped at my throat was tripped and flung headlong. the full weight of q mans body crashing down on tep of me. Then came oblivion.
 How long remained unconscious I never knew. but it must have been some hours, for when struggled back to vague sense of life once more, 1 was alone, lying on mattress in bunk. My head throbbed with pain, and managed to lift one hand, assur- ing myself that my hair was matted with blood. Where was I? Had met with some accident? It was only grad ually that the vision began to reflect upon my mind-the attack on deck :; the struggle in the foreeastle; and then Vera Darlington. It was her face, her memory which aroused life, and gave me back the strength to struggle. The fate of the ship was of small impor- tance to me, but the girl left alone and helpless among these rufiians, was thought so filled with horror as to draw me back from the very gates of death.
 l forced my eyes open, finding at first the light hlinding. and for Sn in- stant stared up through a rep mist. Gradually normal sight came back, and I realized that rested in q bunk, gag ing upward at the white-painted bot tom of another. There was a splash of sunshine on the side wall, and I slowly turned my head toward the open port through which it streamed. Then I knew where I was lying-in the captains stateroom. Why had I been brought there? What object could those villains have for giving me these quarters if they were really in control of the ship? Perhaps they were not {; perhaps Leayord and Olson had been warned of danger in time to overcome them, and still retained command. That would account for my presence but, if this was true, why was I left alone, uncared for? Why had they brought me here? Gradually the con ception of their purpose dawned-a navigator; the need of a navigator. Without me they were helpless; with out my knowledge and skill not one on board could tell where they were, or how to shape the course of the ves- sel. I was a necessity to them; in a way I held the villains still in my power; they dare not let me die-not yeti I cannot explain the new life this thought brought to me. seemed to feel the strength of it injected into my veins, and I rose up on one elbow, and then, encouraged by this effort, swung my feet over the edge of the bunk and rested them on the deck. The hands of my watch told me 1t was after eleven. I got to my feet, cling ing to the berth, and sWaying weakly at first, but gaining strength with every movement. The chart still lay on the desk, our course pricked on it up until l the day before, and the telltale com pass told me the ships bow was still pointed northward. I clawed my way across to the door, and tugged at the latch. It was locked.
 This discovery vanished the least doubt. The men had won, and were in full possession. Fergus McCann was in control by virtue of his money, and his chosen lieutenants were Liver pool Red and Jim White. What their object might prove to be remained to be learned-but they must seek some obscure port, or some safe spot for shipwreck, sacrificing everything else to their own safety-and, to accom- plish this they must use me. Lord I gripped that idea strongly enough, my brain clearing as I realized the important part I must still assume in this odd sea tragedy. Perhaps l could not save the Indian Chief, but