The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-09-04

judge you by his standards" There
will be no necessity for any pretense
ut love; you need not even permit him
to touch you. Merely allow him to
believe that fear makes you an unwil-
ling victim"
"YOu-you actually wish me to do
this-play this hideous part?"
"Only because of our desperate sit
uation; we must fight with the only
weapon at hand. There Is no other
course open. The one thing have in
mind is-someOne on board free to re-
lease the prisoners Immediately after
the boats leave, In time to enable us
to prevent the ships going down."
"But-but, Mr.. Hollis, would-would
he not insist upon my going with him
In the boat?'
walked twice across the narrow
space Of the deck, conscious that her
questioning eyes followed Inc.
EYES," l admitted, pausing to study
her face. you might even be obliged
to do that. You must front this pos
sibility, although the necessity may be
avoided. But McCann's boat will make
St. Johns. He dare not resort to
force once you are ashore. !! do not
count that q serious danger-only he
must not suspect your purpose until
too late to prevent his interfering with
your action. Nor will you be unsafe
with him in the open boat, for the two
of you will not be alone. Your great
est peril will be while aboard this
ship, and completely In McCann's
power"
"Ihe open boat will not be long at
sca?'
mot to exceed few hours prob
ably; Liverpool and White are seamen
enough to see that it is equipped with
sail, and If the wind be favorable,
they will make land quickly. But
there is even a chance that you need
not take this risk"
"What CHANGER the full measure Of
her emotions finding evidence In her
voice.
"lf Leayord or Olson could be Sc
cretly released, or even If you could
be assured that l was free to attain
the deck ut the proper moment, and
thus able to release these Others, we
might best play a bold game. BY urs-
ing some excuse you could delay leav-
ing the ship until after all the mutt
ncers were over the side, and in the
boats. Mccain might remain on board
with you, but he would be only one
man to handle. Once we had control
of the ship, we could defend the decks,
and prevent those rutiians from return
ing on board, ut least until they sur
rendered all arms. and agreed to such
terms as we offered
"That-that would be most despc.
rate expedient," she said dejectedly,
''its success doubtful. You would DO
terribly outnumbered, and without
weapons"
Il do not see it so. Outnumbered,
yes; but with every advantage of po-
sition. Those fellows could not clam
DER up the side, unless it be one ut Il
time. Besides, the major part of the
| crew are doubtless mutineers against
their will, and would be glad enough
to return to duty If promised prOtec-
ton. l doubt If there be three revOlv-
ers on board. I have one of these, and
Mccain carries another. Really the
plan looks feasible to me-"
She arose and crossed over to the
open port, gazing out in silence across
the waste of waters. the wind lifting
! strands Of her ruftled hair. She re-
manned there mOtiOnless so long be-
came impatient.
"Have you no answer to maker I
questioned at last. You think the
scheme impracticable?'
mo; it is not that" but without
changing posture or glancing about,
and I felt there was deadness in
her voice, far from encouraging. But
but l do not like the part assigned to
| me-"