The Elbert County tribune. [volume] (Elbert, Elbert County, Colo.) 18??-1920, 1918-06-07
CHAPTER xx-oontInu.s.
zou showed forged papersY-

to overlook that, did your We are
from st. Johns to Liverpool, with q
miscellaneous cargo. The fellow swal-
lowed my yarn As though 1t was sugar
candy. And the best Of 1t is, that IL
the only war vessel patrolling these
waters; We have a cinch.~
mot without me-" answered calm
", after q pause in which my mind
gripped the situation. 1.-THE telitale
compass shows you are three points
OF your course now. I'll talk with
you, Mccain. but II continue to nav
igate this ship 1t will be at my own
terms, and you'll either give me what
/ ask, or ven fight 1t out here and
now"
~Whnt are your terms7"
/ took time to think, determined to
demand every concession dared ask.
assured that held the winning hand.
SWELL" said finally, ''this coast
to the west Of US Is no Joke at any
season Of the year, and there are sea
currents along here to fool any sea-
man. You can take the chances II you
want to. but 1t is my belief you fools
will have this ship on the rocks within
twenty-four hours, II you trust In blind
reckoning"
I'D It," sung out Liverpool
hoarsely, I'VE don't need no sermon on
the dnngers Of the deep. Stow the
gafr. an tell us what yer want"
II WILL" snapped back. 1.-The free
dom of the chip for both myself and
Miss Darlington. Our meals are to
be served privately. and the lady is not
to be addressed by any one Of you"
my Gawd," exclaimed mufiled
voice, "you don't want muchi Who
are you. the car Of Russian
II am the rightful captain Of this
ship" returned stifiiy, land the only
man on board capable Of navigating
her. You can accept my terms. or
leave them; and those are not all.
Mccain, am talking to you, not that
sea scum"
"All right; go ahead. What else"
II am to retain this revolver for
protection, and the key to my state
room; Miss Darlington is also to re-
tain her key. When you men desert
ship, which know you plan to do.
the Indian Chief is to be left in sea-
worthy condition. That's ALL"
Enough, should think. You must
consider your services indispensable.
However. accept the terms, providing
you agree to do what we ask In re-
turn"
'-That navigate the ship to within
nifty miles Of st. Johns; notify you
when we reach that point. and give
you correct sailing directions"
'sThat II what we want"
Good; accept. Take your men
out Of the cabin"
stood motionless, still gripping the
revolver in one hand, listening to
catch every sound the other side of
the closed door. There was a muttered
discussion. the words mostly inaudible,
although heard enough to convince
me that McCann was urging accept
ance Of my conditions on the ground
that It would be impossible for me,
alone, and under surveillance. to add
to their danger. Some words were
added In so low tone ~ to fail to
reach my ear. but whatever they we're,
they evoked a laugh, and seemed to
restore the dissatisfied to better hu-
NOR. Liverpool took sides with Nc
Cam In the dispute, and the two unit
ed must have prevailed, for the men
finally dispersed, and we could hear
their heavy sea boots tramping up
the stairs.
Relieved Of the strain. I turned to
meet the questioning eyes Of the girl.
''That-that was better than fight
ing-wasn't itf she asked almost anx-
iously.
yes, 1 lost my head for the mo
ment. and could only think of reaching
deck, and shouting an alarm to the
cruiser"
ut was too late for that
yes; we know 1t was now, and
probably / would never have reached
there alive. / am very thankful to
you"
ITO mew Her lips smiled. although
her eyes remained grave. "Why, /
merely opened door-besfdes, even
that act was supremacy selfish
II cannot conceive how"
"You do not7 Yet surely you can
realize what 1t would mean to me to
be left alone on board with--with Fer
gus Mccain. do SO despise the
creature that shrink from even look
Ing into his eyes. lit was to avoid
meeting him again that locked the
door,"
HE talked with you. thenr'
Eyes. at the table. We were alone
for moment. and II was his manner
which frightened me rather than any
words said. left the table without
speaking. He-he followed me, how
ever. and tried my stateroom door,"
Saying nothingr
mo; it was locked, and-and he
laughed and went away"