Philip weekly review and Bad River news. [volume] (Philip, Stanley County, S.D.) 1912-1918, 1918-01-24
CHAPTER xiv-Continued.

10
Only some miracle or the consOlida-
ton of their interest temporarily on
what was being done forward, had
saved US from discovery. Yet l could
not remain there almost in plain view.
Where should ! turn first? Bascom
would be of no value, even ii | re-
leased him; my only hope Of assistance
lay in the two seamen. Gripping the
iron bar, the revolver snugy slowed
away In my pocket, 1 crept down the
black passageway leading forward,
glad to escape from the light of the
cabin.
Mccain believed his prisoners were
secure that 1t was quite safe to leave
them unmatched for the short period
before deserving the ship. The very
fact that the inefficient Dade had been
left alone in the cabin to watch over
Miss Vera, and myself, was evidence
that he needed every seaman to carry
out the work on deck. The measure Of
his confidence his conceit, was what
gave us this opportunity to act. My
hand, fumbling for the lock encoun-
tered bar, q stout wooden bar, ex-
tending from jamb to jamb and my
heart bounded madly. This was the
place! / had found 1t already, and the
men / came to release were impris-
oned exactly as had been. l tapped
gently on the panel.
"Who is it?" Low as the whisper
was, l felt convinced the speaker must
be Leayord.
Hollis. Stand by now; are you
alone?"
YES; Olson and Masters are to-
gether In the bosun's quarters"
Masters! when did they lock him
upY'
"About an hour ago he made quite n
fight of it--that's how l knew what
was going on, sir. Can you get me
out?"
"Ayel I'll rip this bar off in jifry.
Have you light in there?"
"Black as the inside Of a whales
belly, SIR"
/ got purchase with my iron lever,
and put my full strength to 1t. The
bar was of oak but the jambs soft
pine, and the nails drew out. creaking
slightly, but making no noise to create
any alarm. 1t was so intensely dark
could not even perceive the outlines of
the mans figure, yet felt aware that
Leayord fronted me In the open door.
He found my hand somehow, and
gripped it.
''I'm sure glad to meet you. captain v
he exclaimed heartily, "and get out O
that hole. What's the word. sirT'
Release the others, and get busy
minutes are worth hours now. McCann
and his gang are DESERVING ship; they
have the boats provisioned. and along
Side already that is why the guards
have been withdrawn"
"They we're going to leave us aboard
lacked inT'
faye and with the sea-cocks open
dead men tell no tales"
He whistled, his fist shifting the
wood of the door.
"The dirty hound! And where are
we, sir7"
sOff the Newfoundland coast; they
think less than fifty miles, but there's
nearly hundred miles Of blue water
to the west of us. Here's the way Of
It In a nutshell: I was locked In my
stateroom the same as you. 1t was
Miss Darlington who gave us oul
chance She became friendly with Nc
Cam, and agreed to 60 with him. She
was left free on board, and managed
to relense me while the crew were al
ON deck. The steward was left or
watch In the cabin. and she had to hi
him with this iron"
"She didl Lord, I'd never have
thought 1t Of that slip of thing
What's become o. the grill"
ashes In her room. waiting for Nc
Cam to come down for her. She'll de
lay him all she can. Is this the door,
"Aye, aye. sir; and give me the IRON
He was not minute at the job, ant
it required scarcely longer to acquain
the other two released men with |
knowledge Of the situation. Olsoi
picked up the bar Of wood for
weapon, asking simply:
"vat we do now. captain? ISIS It t
fight?"
"Hush I" whispered Masters, "there'
someone coming up the ladder"
We crept back into the bosum's state
room and waited breathlessly. Their
was scarcely room for the four Of US
and the door caught, and would no
wholly close. A dim light refiectet
along the walls Of the passage. maxim,
me aware that the fellow who wa
slowly climbing the iron ladder from
below, had lantern with him. Lea
yord retained the iron leg. and ! drew
ny gun. holding it tight gripped In on
hand. The mans head and shoulder
emerged through the round opening
md the dim light enabled me to recog
snlse Tom Dugan. He paused ON tn
e1ge, looking down.
IAN quiet enough up here, " he called
You better draw the fires, Tony"
~No No D. that" answered Eullel