The Pulaskian., 1917-11-23
Copyright A. c. Mic Clurg & Co.
CHAPTER xvII.-contlnued.


 '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 lem all quiet enough now, where they can't make any trouble.'
 "Where are they confined?"
 He winked at me in half-drunken Ieer.
 (Which is none O yer business hey, Mr. MeCann?"
 The impudent manner of the fel- low served to fully awaken me to realization of the helpless position I occupied. held back the first hot retort on my lips, and forced a smile. T get the idea" said, pretending a good nature I was far from feeling. q 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?"
 "No, I don't" and McCann took step forward, his hand resting on the desk. ITO be frank with you, Hollis, this affair has gone further than I 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 I can."
 o& .P original plan?'
 Mot open mutiny-no. I'm no fool, and I know what that means. I start ed in to make the crew dissatisfied, so they would force you to put back to an American port. I 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 afioat, and no lives lost; or whether the old hooker is never heard of again."
 You'd scuttle the ship?"
 'tThat's for you to decide; it's my advice to you not to take the chance" I could scarcely believe he meant this; the proposition was so abso-' lutely heartless, so cold-blooded. I could hardly associate it even with Fergus McCann. Surely he was not in reality the utter villain he now coolly professed himself. My eyes left his face, and sought Liverpool, who was leering at me in drunken gravity. .Is this true, Red? Have you fel- lows held councilW
 "Some ov us have" he said sullenly. "Jim Dugan, Simms and me, we talked it all over with MT. McCann here, an agreed what wus best. That's why the two ov us come ter see you"
 Unless I consent to sign a report showing your desertion of the ship justified, you propose to sink the In- dian Chief?"
 "You an Bascom-both ov yer"
 "And if we do sign-what then?"
 "You'll sail us within fifty miles ov the nearest open port, and we'll take to the boats, and leave you to be picked up."
 You'd report our condition ashoreT" 'Nothin' was said about that. Yer drift would be southard, an would soon bring yer in the track O ships; besides there's enough left ter handle the sails ter give the hooker steerage way. We figured we'd be safe unless there was big storm"
 It was certainly a cold-blooded prop osition, but the fellows tone was so matter-of-fact no longer doubted this to be their final decision. played my last card.''
 "See here, Red," and drew paper from the drawer of the desk. Do you fellows realize the value of this ship, and the cargo below hatches?"
 ''We don't give darn."
 ''Well you better, for it's tidy little sum. Now, see here-Pll pledge the crew fifty thousand dollars, to be divided as you choose, if you will dock the Indian Chief at Hamburg"
 Who'll pay it?"
 'The owner, within ten days of land- ing"
 An if we get snapped up by an English or French cruiser on the way over, all we'd ever get would be jail. That sorter plan don't make no hit with me nor my mates. We've talked It all over.'
 McCann struck the desk with his fist, impatient at the discussion.
 Your price is too low, Hollis. This Is no piker's game. Red knows it is worth more than fifty thousand to me to get back to New York. So now, will you help us quietly, or shall we have to make you?"
 What is it you desire of mel"
 "That you work out an observation once day, and set the ships course as we direct: then tell us when cer- tain point has been reached"
 What point?"