The Pulaskian., 1917-12-21
CHAPTER xIv.-continued.

what was being done forward, had saved us from discovery. Yet I could not remain there, almost in plain view. Where should I turn first? Bascom would be of no value, even if I re- leased him; my only hope of assistance lay in the two seamen. Gripping the iron bar, the revolver snugly slowed away in my pocket, l crept down the black passageway leading forward, glad to escape from the light of the cabin.
 McCann believed his prisoners were secure; that it was quite safe to leave them unwatched for the short period before deserting the ship. The very fact that the inefficient Dade had been left alone in the cabin to watch over Miss Vera, and myself, was evidence that he needed every seaman to carry out the work on deck. The measure of his confidence, his conceit, was what gave us this opportunity to act. My hand, fUmbling for the lock encoun- tered bar, a stout wooden bar, ex- tending from jamb to jamb, and my heart bounded madly. This was the placei I had found it already, and the men came to release were impris- oned exactly as I had been. tapped gently on the panel.
 'Who is it?" Low as the whisper was, felt convinced the speaker must be Leayord.
 Hollis. Stand by now; are you alone?"
 "Yes; Olson and Masters are to- gether in the bosuns quarters"
 Masters! when did they lock him up?"
 About an hour ago; he made quite fight of it-that's how I knew what was going on, sir. Gan you get me out2"
 "Ayel I'll rip this bar off in jiffy. Have you light in there?"
 "Black as the inside of a whales belly, sir"
 I got purchase with my iron lever, and put my full strength to it. The bar was of oak, but the jambs soft pine, and the nails drew out. crea1dpg slightly, but making no noise to create any alarm. It was SO intensely dark could not even perceive the outlines of the mans figure, yet felt aware that Leayord fronted me in the open door. He found my hand somehow, and gripped it.
 'I'm sure glad to meet you, captain,' he exclaimed heartily, "and get out O that hole. Whats the word, sir?"
 Release the others, and get busy; minutes are worth hours now. NcCann and his gang are deserting ship; they have the boats provisioned, and along side already; that is why the guards have been withdrawn"
 '@They were going to leave us aboard locked i'm"
 faye, and with the sea-cocks open; dead men tell no tales..'
 He whistled, his fist smiting the wood of the door.
 'The dirty hound! And where are we, sir?'
 of the Newfoundland coast; they think less than fifty miles, but there's nearly a hundred miles of blue water to the west of us. Here's the way of 1t in nutshell: I was locked in my stateroom the same as you. It was Miss Darlington who gave us our chance. She became friendly with Nc Cam, and agreed to go with him. She was left free on board and managed to release me while the crew were all on deck. The steward was left on watch in the cabin, and she had to hit him with this iron"
 "She did! Lord, I'd never have thought it of that slip of a thing Whats become O the girl?"
 "Shes in her room, waiting for Nc Cam to come down for her. She'll de- lay him all she can. Is this the door?"
 Aye, aye, sir; and give me the iron"
 He was not a minute at the job, and 1t required scarcely longer to acquaint the other two released men with a knowledge of the situation. Olson picked up the bar of wood for a weapon, asking simply:
 Vat we do now, captain? Iss 1t to fight?"
 "Hush!'' whispered Masters, there's someone coming up the ladder"
 We crept back into the bosums state room and waited breathlessly. There was scarcely room for the four of us. and the door caught, and would not wholly close. A dim light reflected along the walls of the passage, making me aware that the fellow who WIS slowly climbing the iron ladder from below, had lantern with him. Lea yord retained the iron leg, and drew my gun, holding it tight gripped in one hand. The mans head and shoulders emerged through the round opening. and the dim light enabled me to recog nize Tom Dugan. He paused on the edge, looking down.
 "All quiet enough up here," he called. You better draw the fires, Tony"
 "NO use O that" answered sullen voice from a distance ."The water will fix 'em in half an hour; there's two cocks open. Pm goin' on deck; that