The Pulaskian., 1917-12-21
CHAPTER XIV.
We Capture the Shin

yet the work was noiselessly done. and with sailorlike thoroughness. Dugan undertook to curse, but was so instant ly gagged that only the first muf1led word reached me in the passage. Mas ters held the lantern, while the two mates refastened the door, driving home the nails with the iron bar. The moment this was secure l was ready i for the next act.
 "Give the lantern to Olson, Masters. You've got to look after the engine room, and leave us to attend the deck 1 job. There'11 be those sea-cocks to see to first. and then keep enough fire un- der the boilers for steerageway. Down with you, and don't pay any attention to whatever we do.'
 Heavy as he was he went down the iron rungs of the ladder like fireman answering call, and the three of us who were left behind in the passage, stared into each others faces, barely visible in the dim radius of light.
 "What next, sir?" asked Leayord anxiously. There's only three of us uOWt dn U t1ltlI.
 'sOne less-you're counting Dade, and he's safe enough. The boy Moon is of no account, and I imagine there are twenty men out in those boats who have no heart in this business. They'd be with us now if they had any chance isn't that so, Olson?"
 ssYas. sir-but they won't likely git no chance"
 sTrue enough; yet it is something to knew that McCann and his gang can not count on them either, if it comes to a fight. AS things stand it is all a mat ter of luck and nerve. There are only six in the boat hanging to the foot of the ladder, with McCann left alone on deck. We ought to be able to handle that bunch"
 Leayord dug the iron bar he held into the deck blanks savagely.
 .What did yer tell Masters to only keep up enough steam for steerage- way for, sir?" he asked bluntly.
 'I was afraid they might notice, if he fired up.'
 "'Tain't likely, so the tunnels don't git ter blazin' The only fellers with eny brains are in thet boat close in alongside, sir, an they can't see nuthin rum thar. Them common fo'castle rats in them other boats never would notice bit more smoke"
 ssWhat is it, Leayord? You have a plan? Speak quick, man; we can't stand talking here"
 Faint not much O plan, sir" he explained briefly, "only I don't see why we couldn't just naturally heave this cuss McCann overheard, CT else kill him just as you please. Eny two O us could keep that quarterboat crew from comin' up the ladder. an then, if Mas. ters had his boilers het up, no darn rowboat could ever catch us. Thet would leave US one hand at the wheel"
 It was true, the very simplicity of it making me curse my own stupidity. I stared into his face without utterfng word of comment, yet with my mind grasping instantly the necessary de- tails. With a single step I was bend ing over the ladder peering down into the depths below. A faint far-away light appeared at the bottom.
 "Masters!" I called. my voice thrown downward through hollowed hands.
 saw his shadow emerge into the circle of light
 "Aye, aye, sir"
 Have you any pressure now?"
 Fairly good, sir. The waters draw ing off and the wet coal will steam up in jiffy."
 "Well, stand by for all the steam possible. and give it to her the instant you get the signal-only be careful not to flame your tunnels. You hear me?"
 Every word, sir"
 "All right; stand by, and don't fail us"
 "Now, lads," I said, standing erect. "First it's the after cabin, and then the deck. Douse the glim, Olson; we're better off in the dark. Follow me, and mind your footing"
 l The gloom was no handicap in that narrow space where we could feel either wall with our fingers but I emerged into the cabin with caution, fearing the possible presence there of McCann, who might even have brought man, or two, back on board to assist him. The hanging lamp had been ex- l tinguished, or else it had burnt out from lack of oil, but there was a faint l glimmer of light in Miss Carrington's stateroom, enabling me to discover at a glance that the main cabin was unoc- eupied. Her door stood wide open, but with no signs of confusion within.
 What had happened? There was nothing to tell me the truth. Had Me Cam succeeded in inducing her to ac- company him on deck? Had he taken her there by force? or, had the girl l finally yielded to his insistence, after exhausting every form of delay, her last faith in my return having van ished? Nothing remained but to follow them, and find out what had occurred, and, if not already too late, attempt a rescue.