The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-01-31
CHAPTER xlv.-continued.

NAOh Va thtih ihtChCct OH
what was being done forward, had |
saved us from discovery. Yet I 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 snugly slowed |
away In my pocket, crept down the |
black passageway leading forward,
cabin.
meCann believed his prisoners were
secure; that 1t was quite safe to leave
them unmatched for the short period
before deserting 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
gave us this opportunity to act My
hand, fumbling for the lock encoun-
tered q bar. 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 I came to release were impris-
oned exactly as had been. tapped
gently on the panel.
"Who is it2" Low as the whisper
was, felt convinced the speaker must
De Leayord.
"Hollis. Stand by now; are you
aloneT
Yes; Olson and Masters are to-
gether In the bosun's quarters"
Masters when did they lock him
upr'
.About an hour ago he made quite
0ght Of it-that's how I knew what
was going on, sir. Can you get me
outr
"Ayei I'll rip this bar of in jiffy.
Have you light In there?"
"Black as the inside Of a whales
belly, SIR"
got a 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 I
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" /"
he exclaimed heartily. "and get out O.
that hole. What's the word, sir?"
"Release the others, and get busy
minutes are worth hours now. Mccain
and his gang are deserting ship; they
have the boats provisioned, and along
side already; that is why the guards
have been withdrawn"
'They were going to leave Us aboard
locked in7"
aye, and with the sea-cocks open
dead men tell no tales"
He whistled. his fist shifting the
wood Of the door.
'-rhe dirty houndl And where are
We, sirf"
.Off the Newfoundland coast; they
think less than fifty miles. but there's
nearly a hundred miles Of blue water
to the west Of us. Here's the way OF
It in a nutshell: / 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 go with him. Sh'
was left free on board. and managed
to release me while the crew were al
on deck. The steward was left OF
watch in the cabin, and she had to hi
him with this IRON"
"She didl Lord, I'd never hav'
thought It Of that slip of q thing
What's become O. the girl?"
"She's in her room. waiting for Nc
Cam to come down for her. She'll de
lay him all she can. Is this the door3
"Aye. aye. sir; and give me the iron.
He was not a minute at the Job, an,
et required scarcely longer to acquain
the other two released men with
knowledge of the situation. Olsol
picked up the bar Of wood for
weapon. asking simply:
"Vat we do now, captalnf Iss 1t I
hghtf"
"Hushv T. whispered Masters. "there'
someone coming up the ladder" t
We crept back into the bosum's STATE
room and waited breathlessly. Their
was scarcely room for the four of Vi
and the door caught. and would nc
wholly close. A dim light reflecte
along the walls Of the passage, maxim
me aware that the fellow who wa
slowly climbing the iron ladder frol
below, had lantern with him. Lei
yord retained the iron leg, and DIRE
my gun, holding It tight gripped in or
hand. The mans head and shoulder
emerged through the round openin
and the dim light enabled me to reco
uize Tom Dugan. He paused on Il
edge, looking down.
"All quiet enough up here" he calle
you better draw the fires, Tony"
mo use o. that" answered a sullt
voice from a distance. "The wat
will fix 'em In half an hour; there's tv