The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-12-11
we get there, do your Come on now
stop this talk, and give us an answer ~

we get there. do your Come on now !;
stop this talk, and give us an answer"
For long moment 1 stood notion
less. staring out through the open port
mt the sunlit waters. 1t seemed to me
my best course was TO at least pretend
to yield to their wishes. To acquiesce
would insure me measure of free
dom on board, an opportunity to learn
the exact conditions, and might enable
me to save the ship from destruction
AS to McCann, he had some object in
all this far more important than ap-
peare1 81 the surface. He was never
assuming this risk. or inyestin., all
thiS money In an Illegal cause, without
more serious purpose than an idle
desire to return to New York. He
was taxing tremendous chance, driv-
en- by some impulse l could not com
prehend. What WIS the secret-hate,
revenge, greed, lover l would find
out sometime; but now 1 could only
grope In the dark, guessing at his mo-
tives. Yet 1 knew this-his promises
were lies. He would make use of me;
he would induce me to pilot the ship
10 the spot he desired to attain on the
broad bosom of the ocean. and them
what? The man would never be fool
enough to permit the Indian Chief to
sail into any harbor to accuse him of
such crime. Back OF all his words,
his explanations, his apparent fair
ness. Mrked treachery. / felt 1t. and
knew 1t, and the very suspicion led me
to reach swift decision. My eyes met
his with a smile.
II cannot conceive that have much
choice" 1 said quietly. "It Is to either
do this in freedom, or under compul-
Sion. Naturally prefer the former"
"You mean you accept our offer2"
"Yes; I will figure out the proper
course. and report to you when the YES
sci is at the place you designate. That
Is oil that Is asked Of me. In return
have your pledge that the ship will
be left in good condition, with all who
are loyal safe on bosrd?"
EYES,"
"There is one more condition, Nc
Cam"
"What?"
"That Miss Darlington be left abso-
men, until the time comes for you to
take to the boats"
''Hah! So that is really where the
shoe pincheS ~
I'VE will not quarrel about it-either
say yes or no."
What do you mean by unmolested?
Am l prohibited from speaking to the
lady?"
THAT is to be left to her choice,
not yours. She is to retain the key to
her stateroom; to eat alone IL she
prefers, and to see such associates
aboard as she DESIRES"
Liverpool laughed drunkenly.
'That amt the argument" he said
easily. $50 far as 1 see, that don't
change things none. She's locked her
self In anyhow, an won't answer no
body"
McCann growled something which I
took to be assent, and I was myself
so anxious to ascertain our exact posi-
ton as to have no desire for further
argument. I could be Of no possible
value locked prisoner in that state
room no protection to her. Indeed, IL
ACiuSSu W navigate thc vessel, leuV-
Ing the ship to drift blindly through
these unknown waters, exposed con-
stantly to peril, 1 would be guilty of
failure to do my duty almost as
great as the crime Of these others. On
deck, knowing where we were and the
direction In which we were going. the
opportunity might arise for the accom-
plishment Of much. 1 grasped the nec-
essary instruments from the swinging
shelf, and, with these in my hands,
turned toward the door.
"Come on, then," said, ignoring the
fact that I was any longer prisoner
Bring the chart, one of you, and I'll
point out where we are to you on
deck"
"Just hold on a minute" and Liver.
pool, blocking the doorway, pushed me
back with his huge hand. "We're the
bosses, not you. Git 1t out o. your head
right now, mister, that yer the captain
of this ship Indian Chief. Blast yer!
We amt nuthin'; an If yer attempt to
play us any dirty tricks, I'll smash
yer the same as / would a fly. Amt