Courier Democrat., 1918-03-14
word reached me In the passage. Mas

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 I was ready
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
job. There'll 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 a 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.
"NNhat next, sir?" asked Leayord
anxiously. "There's only three of us
now, an forty-three O. them"
Zone 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?'
"Yas, sir-but they won't likely git
no chance"
"True enough; yet it is something to
knew that Mccain and his gang can
not count on them either, If it comes to
a fight. AS things stand it is all mat
ter Of luck and nerve. There are only
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 planks 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, il
he fired up"
"'Tain't likely so the tunnels don't
git ter blazin' The only fellers witt
eny brains are in thet boat close II
alongside, sir. an they can't see nuthin
frum thar Them common fO'castle rats
in them other boats never would notice
a bit more smoke"
'What is it, Leayord? You have {
plan? Speak quick, man; we can
stand talking here"
""Tain't not much O. plan, sir HI
],,.in yyh,
we couldn't just naturally heave thi
cllss Mccain overheard, er else xii
him just as you please. Eny two O. u
could keep that Quarterboat crew from
comm up the ladder an then, if Mas
ters had his boilers het up no darl
rowhoat could ever catch us. The
would leave us one hand at the Wheel
1t was true. the very simplicity of |
making me curse my own stupidity.
stared into his face without uttering
word of comment vet with my MINI
grasping instantly the necessary de
tails. With single step was bend
ing over the ladder peering down int
the depths below. A faint far-awa
light appeared at the bottom.
masters - called, my voice throw
downward through followed hands.
I saw his shadow emerge into tn
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 u
in jiffy."
"Well, stand by for all the stear
possible, and give it to her the instan
you get the signal-only be careful nc
to flame your tunnels. You hear me?
"Every word, sir"
Gall right; stand by, and don't fai
u.s."
"Now, lads" I said, standing erec,
"First it's the after cabin, and the
the deck. Douse the glim, Olson; we'r
better off in the dark. Follow me, an
mind your footing"
The gloom was no handicap in tha
narrow space where we could fee
either wall with our fingers, but
emerged into the cabin with caution
fearing the possible presence there Q
Mccain, who might even have brough
man, or two, back on board to assis
him. The hanging lamp had been e1
tinguished, or else 1t had burnt ou
from lack of oil, but there was fair
glimmer Of light In Miss Darlington
stateroom, enabling me to discover q
glance that the main cabin was unot
cupled. Her door stood wide open, bu
with no signs Of confusion within.