Meade County news., 1917-12-20

lieve It was my own situation which
so completely unnamed me, but the
remembrance of Vera. What would
become Of her? She would be alone In
McCann's power without human be-
ing to whom she could appeal. She
would be Orced into the boat despite
her struggles, laughed Mt, and Knocked.
She might even be compelled to wit
ness the slow sinking of the ship carry
ing us down into the depths. And then
what? The vision conjured up was
agony, and l sank back upon the stool,
my face buried in my hands.
1t Is not even yet clear in my mind
how the remaining hours of that after
noon passed. was conscious only of
a mad, impotent rage. Wild schemes
flashed through my brain, only to fail
Of execution. There could be only one
reason for McCann's action-desertion
of the ship, that same night. If the
mutineers were really, as pretended,
intending to land their boats in the
harbor of st. Johns, they would re-
quire my services for at least another
day yet. No one else on board could
place the vessel at the point desig-
mated. Their actions, however, plainly
evidenced that was no longer needed,
and that their plans had been changed.
Indeed no one held communication
with me all that afternoon; occasion
ally l overheard movements in the
cabin, but could scarcely peer through
my door, and was unable to ascertain
who were present, while the few words
distinguished brought me no specific
information. That some movement of
secret Importance was going on aboard
seemed more than probable. / became
impressed with the conviction that food
supplies were being conveyed from the
laZarette to the boats and slowed away.
Supper was served early in the
cabin, but was evidently more of a
lunch than a meal, no attempt being
made at formality. McCann, Liverpool
and Miss Darlington were at the table
together, but, while l could lifferenti-
ate their voices, conversation was car
ried on in such low tones, 1 could
make little Of 1t. When they left the
table Vera went to the piano. and
played and sang all the time White
was eating. My little peekhole gave
me a glimpse Of McCann, leaning
against the mizzen mast, his eyes upon
her. No offer of food was made me,
nor did see, or hear Bascom; If bH
ate at all 1t must have been in his own
stateroom. Finally the music ceased,
the two exchanging a few apparently
friendly words, before the girl excused
herself, and returned to her room.
sat down to think again-hopeless,
my mind on the same treadmill. What
could do? What effort of mine was
possible There was no means by
which I could escape from the state
room; I was like q rat in a trap, and
McCann intended to leave me there to
drown. Within an hour, perhaps; GER
tainly before midnight, those devils
would desert the ship, and take to the
boats. Already was practically
dead; certainly as helpless to prevent
the consummation of this villalnous
plan as though fathoms beneath the
sea. How deathly still 1t was on
board. Suddenly 1t occurred to me
that Dade had not even cleared the
table; at least had heard no rattle of
dishes, or any evidence of work. Such
neglect certainly must mean that Nc
Cams plan was known to all aboard
Of his own company. I opened the door
again, nOlselessly, it's scant quarter of
an inch before it was stopped by the
bar, and sought to look out. The space
gave me no view; there was a light
burning, but turned so low as to leave
the cabin in semidarkness. waited
listening, but no movement told Of any
presence. For the fourth time I tried
my knife point on the bar holding me
prisoner. 1t barely scratched the wood,
for I could not force the handle
through the narrow opening. / might
but that would leave me unarmed, and
create an alarm which would fill the
cabin with men; besides the severed
ends of the bar would still hold the
door secure.
l Strengthened up, my heart beating
like triphammer. Something strange,
unaccountable was occurring in the
cabin. 1 could make nothing Of 1t; not
even satisfy myself that what I seemed
to hear was an actual reality-yet
there was sound like blow, followed
by barely audible groan, and the
sliding of body to the deck.
CHAPTER XIV.
TLo Lan1 aR Eaka