The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-01-17
CHAPTER xx-centInusd.
rou showed forged papersf"

to overlook that, did your We are
from st. Johns to Liverpool. with a
miscellaneous cargo. The fellow swal-
lowed my yarn as though 1t was sugar
candy. And the best Of IT. is, that is
the only war vessel patrolling these
waters; we have q cinch."
mot without me-" answered calm
~, after q pause in which my mind
gripped the situation. "The telltale
compass shows you are three points
OF your course now. I'll talk with
you, McCann, but II continue to nav
igate this ship 1t will be at my own
terms. and you'll either give me what
I ask, or we'll fight 1t ont here and
now"
"what are your ternsr
took time to think, determined to
demand every concession I dared ask.
assured that held the winning hand.
"Well." I said finally, 'this coast
60 the west Of US Is no Joke at any
season sf the year, and there are sea
currsnts along here to fool any sea-
man. You can take the chances II you
want to, but It is my belief you fools
will have this ship on the rocks within
twenty-four hours, II you trust In blind
reckoning"
Cd It." sung out Liverpool
hoarsely, I'VE don't need no sermon on
the dangers Of the deep. Stow the
gan, an tell us what yer want"
Il WILL" I snapped back. ''The free
dom Of the ship for both myself and
Miss Darlington. Our meals are to
be served privately, and the lady is not
10 be addressed by any one of you"
~My Gawd." exclaimed a muffled
voice, you don't want muchI Who
arc you, the car of Russian
Il am the riehtful captain Of this
sAip." returned stifiiy, ''and the only
0aA ON board capable Of NJ vigating
her. You can accept my terms. or
lsavs them; and those are not all.
AcCann, am talking to you. not that
- scum"
.AIl right: 20 ahead. What elser'
Z am to retain this revolver for
usstsction, and the key to my state
rsu0; Mi0 Ohrrinston IL also to 70
tain her key. When you men desert
ship which I know you plan to do.
ths Indian Ohief u 10 be left In sea-
vrthy condition. That's all"
~Bnough, should think. You must
csnAder your services Indispensable.
0Svsvsr. accept tAs terms. providing
~ agree - Do what we ask In re-
tDA"
~TAst navigate ne ship to within
ny miles Of st Johns; notify yU1
wAsa We reach tat point and givs
~ correct sailinS directions.
That is what ve want.
Good; ! accept Taks yUR ~
81 e the cabin
steod mstionisss. stin gripping tAs
swslvsr In sAs Aa1A listening b
1atRA every sound the otper sids ef
tAs closed door. There was muttered
6,scussion, the words mostly inaudible,
although heard enough to convince
ms that 1cOann was urging accept
aAce Of my conditions on the ground
that II would be impossible for me-,
alone, and under surveillance. to add
% their danger. Some words were
added In 30 low q tone a. to fail to
reach my ear, but whatever they were,
hey evoked q laugh, and seemed to
restore the dissatisfied b better hu-
mon. Liverpool took sides with Nc
Gum In the dispute. and the two unit
Cd must have prevailed, for the men
0AAIly dispersed, and We could hear
Astr heavy - boots trampinS up
ms staira
Relieved Of the strain, I turned 10
inset the questioning syes Of the girl
~That-that was better than Aght-
tng-waant itI" shs asked almost anx-
tously.
Yes; lost my head for the mo-
ment. and could only think Of reaching
deck, and shouting an alarm to the
cruiser"
"It was too late for that"
Yes; we know It was now, and
probably / would never have reached
there alive. am very thankful to
you"
ITO mel" Her rps smiled, although
her eyes remained grave. "Why,
merely opened a door-besides, even
that act was supremely selfish.
II cannot conceive how
'You do noti Yet surely you can
realize what 1t would mean to me to
be left alone ON board with-with Fer
gus McCann 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. thenY-
Yea. at the table. We were alone
eUr = moment, and IT 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 nothing3"
mo; Il was locked, anh-and hs
eaughsd and went away
nuanecf the man IN a1vnoo< a.