Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1918-01-03
CHAPTER xx-continued.
You showed forged papers?"

TO overlook tnat, OlQ you! we are
from ST. Johns to Liverpool, with a
miscellaneous cargo. The fellow swal-
lowed my yarn as though it was sugar
candy. And the best of it is, that is
the only war vessel patrolling these
waters; we have a cinch."
mot without me-" answered calm
ly, after pause in which my mind
gripped the situation. 1.-The telltale
compass shows you are three points
off your course now. I'll talk with
you, Mccain, but if continue to nav
fgate this ship it will be at my own
terms, and you'll either give me what
I ask, or Wen fight it out here and
now
what are your terms?"
/ took time to think, determined to
demand every concession 1 dared ask,
assured that held the winning hand.
WELL" I 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 if you
want to, but it is my belief you fools
will have this ship on the rocks within
twenty-four hours. if you trust in blind
reckoning"
ID it," sung out Liverpool
hoarSely, 1--WE don't need no sermon on
the dangers of the deep. Stow the
gaff, an tell us what yer want"
II WILL" snapped back. 1.-The free
dom of the ship 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 a muffied
voice, you don't want muchI Who
are you, the car Of Russian"
Il am the rightful captain Of this
ship" returned stiff1y, 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"
@An right; go ahead What else?"
Il 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 I 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-
rurn."
THAT navigate the ship to within
fifty miles of St Johns; notify you
when we reach that point and give
you correct sailing directions"
THAT is what we want"
Good: 1 accept Take your men
out of the cabin"
stood modonless, stin 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 I heard enough to convince
me that Mccain was urging accept
-ance of my conditions on the ground
that 1T would be impossible for me,
alone, and under surveillance, to add
TO their danger. Some words were
added in so low a tone as to fail to
reach my ear, but whatever they were,
they evoked a laugh and seemed to
restore the dissatisfied to better hui
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 unmping up
the stairs
Relieved of the strain, turned to
meet the questioning eyes of the girl
4adl-lldl was DSIISr Indn light
1ng-wasn't it2D she asked almost anx-
dous1y-
Eyes; I lost my head for the mo-
ment, and could only think of reaching
deck, and shouting an alarm to the
cruiser"
1T was too late for that
Yes, we know it was aow, and
probably would never have reached
there alive I am very thankful to
you"
ITO meT Her lips smiled, although
her eyes remained grave "Why, I
merely opened a door-besides, even
that act was supremacy selfish.
Il cannot conceive how
you do not2 Yet surely yuu can
realize what it would mean to me to
be left alone ON board with-with Fer
gus Mccain I 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. thenT
Yes, at the table We were alone
for moment. and it was his manner
which frightened me rather than any
words said i left the table without
speaking. He-he followed me, how
ever, and tried my stateroom door.
Saying notning?"
"No; it was locked, and-and he
lxughed and went away
Il suspect the man is almost as
r1nch. afraid of Won Won q -, IT.,