The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-02-14
CHAPTER XIV.
We Capture the Ship.


undertook to curse. but was so instant
ly gagged that only the first muiiled
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 / 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. Thererl 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.
"What next. sir" asked Leayord
anxiously. "There's only three Of US
now, an forty-three O. thcm."
"One less-you're counting Dade and
he's safe enough. The boy Moon is OF
no account, and imagine there are
twenty men out in those bouts who
have no heart In this business. They'd
be with us now II they had any chance
isn't that so, OlsonT
"Yas. sir-but they won't likely GIT
no chance"
"True enough; yet II is something to
knew that Mccain and his gang can
not count on them either, II II comes to
a fight. As things stand II Is all mat
ter Of luck and nerve. There are only
six in the boat hanging to the foot OF
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 planls savagely.
"What did yer tell Masters to only
keep up enough steam for steerage-
way for, sir2" he asked bluntly.
81 was afraid they might notice, If
he fired up"
"'Tain't likely. so the tunnels don't
git ter blazin'. The only fellers with
eny brains are in thet boat close In
} 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 1t. Leayordf You have O
plan? Speak quick, man; we CAM
stand talking here"
"Tain't not much O. a plan, sir" ht
explained briefly. "only I don't see why
we couldn't just naturally heave this
cuss McCann overheard. er else xii
him Just as you please. Eny two O. III
! could keep that quarterboat crew from
comm up the ladder. an then. II Mas
ters had his boilers het up. no dar,
? rowboat could ever catch us. The
would leave US one hand Mt the wheel
7 It was true, the very simplicity Of 1
Q making me curse my own stupidity.
I stared into his face without uttering
word Of comment, yet with my mlnt
9 grasping instantly the necessary de
tails. With a single step was bend
Ing over the ladder peering down int
the depths below. A faint far-awa,
light appeared at the bottom.
"Mastersw called, my voice throw
downward through followed hands.
:. saw his shadow emerge into tn
I circle Of light.
Q "Aye. aye, sir"
"Have you any pressure now7"
"Fairly good. sir. The waters draw
: Ing Off and the wet coal will steam u
In jiffy."
"Well. stand by for all the stear
e possible, and give It to her the instan
II you get the signal-only be careful nc
to fame your tunnels. You hear me?
,. 'Every word. SIR"
:, "All right; stand by, and don't ia
u.s." =
= "Now, lads" said, standing erec
e "First it's the after cabin. and the
the deck. Douse the glim. Olson; we'r
better off In the dark. Follow me. IN
mind your footing"
The gloom was no handicap In thu
narrow space where we could fe,
either wall with our fingers, but
emerged into the cabin with cautiol
fearing the possible presence there {
McCann, who might even have brougl
man, or two, back on board to ASST
him. The hanging lamp had been e,
tinguished, or else 1t had burnt OF
from hack Of oil, but there was fail
glimmer of light in Miss Darlington
stateroom, enabling me to discover {
glance that the main cabin was uno
cupied. Her door stood wide open, bl
with no signs Of confusion within.
What had happened? There Wi
nothing to tell me the truth. Had M
Cam succeeded in inducing her to q
company him on deck? Had he taxi
her there by force? or, had the 81
finally yielded to his insistence, aft
" exhausting every form of delay, h
M last faith in my return having va
NM ished7 Nothing remained but to folio
MI them. and find out what had occurre
Wy and, II not already too late, attempt
rescue.