The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-12-11


pool Just beyond his shoulder.
BLOW mew he calculated in star
tied voice. "The fellows not here
he's got awayl"
: Red laughed, and pushed past, bu,
still blocked the door with his great
body.
'Got s-Say Where could he have
got to with the door locked? He's
here all right"
stood up and faced the two, the
desk still between us. but took the
precaution to grip the stool by one
leg.
II am certainly present" said cold
ly. IF your reference is to me; but
1 advise you both to keep your dis
tance. I'll brain the first man who
attempts to lay hand on me-"
Red must bave felt the challenge of
my words, and could tell he was in
liquor by the vivid flame of his face.
An oath broke from his lips.
"You tried that before; twill pay
yer to be civil now."
There were some of your ragamuf-
Ems who tasted the weight of nv
blow" 1 answered, "and / only hope
1t may be your turn next, you dirty
dog Of a mutineer."
You'll git no chance to ever break
your stool on me, DYER" he roared,
jerking revolver from his Jacket.
DO you see that7 Well, we've got
the ship"
McCann grasped his sleeve.
Let up on that, Red" he said short
ly, his voice having a tone of COM
mand In 1t, which surprised me. 1--WE
didn't come here to beat Hollis I'D,
but to talk with him. This is my
game"
The other did not resist. only to
mutter behind his teeth. The gun still
glistened in his hand, but 1 felt no
fear of the fellow, and returned the
stool to the deck.
Tell me what you mean. and be
brief about it."
McCann's eyes met mine. and T read
In them uncertainty. He was not vet
quite sure that he had my measure;
how far L would resist, or what form
my opposition would take. Perhaps
for moment money did not seem to
MIN quite so important weapon as
he had found it elsewhere.
I'm sorry the crew beat you up
the way they did," he began apologet-
icaliy. "They are rather rough
set"
Don't waste your time over that"
II m Tod f,, a
with an out-and-out fighter, and still
respect him, but your kind only en-
Senders disgust. There is no love
lost between us, Fergus McCann, so
state your purpose plainly. and with
out lying"
by God I WILL" he snapped, "and
I'll put 1t straight enough this time
to satisfy you. The only reason I
don't let Liverpool kill you is that you
are more valuable to me alive. I've
hated some in my time, but there never
was a cur despised worse than do
you"
Thanks" I said quietly, 'I am hon.
ored."
And more than that, I pay nv
debts" his temper now entirely ruined
by my pretense of Indifference. $50
1 advise you to keep a civil tongue In
your head-you're no longer in COM
mand of this ship"
I smiled at the two Of them, calmly
sitting down on the stool. was not
certain yet what hand / held, but
determined to play the cards coolly.
$50 you fellows are in control; and
you come to me now with some sort
OF proposition. All right; what Is it7"
I'VE need navigator for a few
days; one who will lay out the course
we decide on"
And / am the only one on board"
You are by far the most compe-
tent" he confessed. "But you need
not think from that we are helpless
without you. ! have no doubt l could
figure the matter out fairly well If /
had to, and l am perfectly aware that
Miss Darlington possesses some knowl-
edge of navigation. imagine you
might prefer doing this yourself, rather
than having her compelled to show her
efficiency"
"Where is Miss Carringtonr
I'm her own stateroom; 1 have not
seen her since we took possession of
the ship"
"And the others-Bascom, and the
officers?"
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