The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-01-31
CHAPTER XIV.
We Capture the Ship.


with sailorlike thoroughness. Dugan
to curse, but was so instant
~ gagged that only the first mullled
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
this was secure l 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
"What next, sirT' asked Leayord
anxiously. There's only three Of us
now, an forty-thrae o. them"
"One less-you're counting Dade, and
he's safe enough. The boy Moon Is Of
no account and l imagine there are
twenty men out In those bonts who
have no heart In this business. They'd
be with us now II they had any chance
Isn't that SO. Olsonf"
"Yas, sir-but they won't likely GIT
no chance"
"True enough; yet It is something to
knew that McCann and his gang can
not count on them either. X II comes to
n fight. As things stand 1t is oil a 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 planks savngely.
"What did yer tell Masters to only
keep up enough steam for steerage-
way for. sir?" he asked bluntly.
II was afraid they might notice. II
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"
| 10 tx1s< ~ n MI 81 h<
explained briefly. "only 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. u!
could keep that quarterboat crew from
comm up the ladder. an then. II Mas
ters had his boilers het up. no darn
rowboat could ever catch us. The
would leave us one hand Mt the Wheel
1t was true, the very simplicity Of 1
making me curse my own stupidity.
stared into his face without uttering {
word Of comment, yet with my min,
grnsping instantly the necessary de
tnils. 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.
'Mnsters" called, my voice throw
downward through followed hands.
saw his shadow emerge into tn
circle Of light.
AYE. aye, SIR"
"Have you any pressure nowT
'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. aud give It to her the instar
: 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 IN
u.s."
: "Now, lads" 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 thu
narrow space where we could fe
either wall with our fingers, but
emerged into the cabin with cautio
fearing the possible presence there {
McCann, who might even have brougl
a man, or two, back on board to ASST
him. The hanging lamp had been e.
tinguished, or else 1t had burnt ol
from lack of oil, but there was fail
glimmer Of light in Miss Darlington
stateroom, enabling me to discover
a glance that the main cabin was uno
cupied. Her door stood wide open, b
with no signs of confusion within.
What had happened? There W,
nothing to tell me the truth. Had NJ
Cam succeeded In inducing her to a
company him on deckf Had he taxi
her there by force? or, had the 81
finally yielded to his inslstence, aft
y exhausting every form Of delay, h
NJ last faith in my return having va
NJ ished2 Nothing remained but to follo
N them, and find out what had occurre
Y and. If not already too late. attempt
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