The Pulaskian., 1917-12-07
CHAPTER xx-continued.

"Aye; that was easy enough; you never supposed I was such fool as to overlook that, did you? We are from St. Johns to Liverpool with a miscellaneous cargo. The fellow swal- lowed my yarn as though it was sugar candy. And the best of it is, that is the only war vessel patrolling these waters; we have cinch."
 ''Not without me-" I answered calm ly, after pause in which my mind gripped the situation. "The telltale compass shows you are three points off your course now I'll talk with you, McCann, but if continue to nav igate this ship it will be at my own terms, and you'll either give me what ask, or we'll fight it out here and now"
 "What are your terms?"
 took time to think, determined to demand every concession dared ask assured that held the winning hand
 "Well," I said finally, 'this coast to the west of us is no joke at any season of the year, and there are sea currents along here to fool any sea- man. You can take the chances if you want to, but it is my belief you fools will have this ship on the rocks within twenty-four hours, if you trust in blind reckoning"
 "D- it." sung out Liverpool hoarsely, Eve don't need no sermon on the dangers of the deep. Stow the gaff, an tell us what yer want"
 T will," I snapped back. ''rhe free dom of the ship for both myself and Miss Darlington. Our meals are to be served privately, and the lady is not to be addressed by any one of you"
 My Gawd," exclaimed a muffied voice, 'you don't want much Who are you, the czar of Russian"
 T am the rightful captain of this ship" I returned stif1y, "and the only man on board capable of navigating her. You can accept my terms, or leave them; and those are not all. McCann, am talking to you, not that sea scum."
 'Al right; go ahead. What else?'
 'I am to retain this revolver for protection, and the key to my state- room; Miss Darlington is also to re- tain her key. When you men desert ship, which l know you plan to do, the Indian Chief is to be left in sea worthy condition. That's all."
 Enough, I should think. You must consider your services indispensable. However, I accept the terms, providing you agree to do what we ask in re- turn.'
 "That l navigate the ship to within fifty miles of St. Johns; notify you when we reach that point, and give you correct sailing directions"
 ''That is what we want"
 Good; I accept. Take your men out of the cabin"
 I stood motionless, still gripping the revolver in one hand, listening to catch every sound the other side of the closed door. There was muttered discussion, the words mostly inaudible, although I heard enough to convince me that McCann was urging accept ance of my conditions on the ground that it would be impossible for me,
 
 to their danger. Some words were added in so low tone as to fail to reach my ear, but whatever they were, they evoked a laugh, and seemed to restore the dissatisfied to better hu- nor. Liverpool took sides with Me Cam in the dispute, and the two unit ed must have prevailed, for the men xxyn 0n1116 their heavy sea boots tramping up the stairs.
 Relieved of the strain, turned to meet the questioning eyes of the girl. "That-that was better than fight ing-wasn't it?" she asked almost anx- iously.
 'Yes; lost my head for the mo- ment, and could only think of reaching deck, and shouting an alarm to the cruiser
 sIt was too late for that"
 "Yes; we know it was now, and probably would never have reached there alive. I am very thankful to you"
 "To mel" Her lips smiled, although ACl SyOS ASuldlaSQ grave. AAys l merely opened door-besides, even that act was supremely selfish
 sI cannot conceive how"
 You do not? Yet surely you can realize what it would mean to me to be left alone on board with-with Fer gus McCann. I do so despise the creature that I shrink from even look ing into his eyes. lit was to avoid meeting him again that I locked the door,"
 "He talked with you, then?"
 ''Yes, at the table. We were alone for a moment, and it was his manner which frightened me rather than any words said. left the table without speaking. He-he followed me, how ever, and tried my stateroom door,"
 Saying nothing?"
 "No: it was locked. and-and he