The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-06-13
CHAPTER XIX.
Laying the Trap.

AhOAS SNoAA sAN. NA0 AhtA~AP~NSAs
We caught Manuel sound asleep, and
LeVere had sinewy hands at his throat
before the fellow could grasp q
weapon. The narrowness Of the state
room prevented my taking much part
In the affair, but the mulatto needed
no help, as he dragged the cursing
Spaniard from his bunk to the deck
and throttled him savagely. Indeed
he would have killed the fellow had
/ not interfered and twisted his hands
loose, leaving Estevan barely con-
scious. A blanket ripped into strips
served to bind him securely enough
for the present, but / thought 1t best
to lock the door, and keep the key in
! my own pocket. LeVere would have
knitted him even as he lay there help
less, but for my threat and insistence.
Once back in the cabin my eyes dis
tinguished the frightened face Of the
steward peering forth at us from out
the dark Of the passage leading for
ward.
"Come here, Gunsaules," I said
sternly. "Step lively, lad; there's moth
ing for you to fear. Senior Estada has
been killed during the night, and we
have Just captured his murderer" !
explained. "There is reason to believe
this act was part Of a conspiracy to
seize the ship In connection with those
fellows amidships, Does that passage
lead to their quartersT
at did once, senior, but now there Is
q closed door of oak, studded with
iron, not only locked, but barred on
this side. There are but two keys
one for the captain and the other for
him who commands the buccaneers"
/ stood there a moment, considering
this information. The only way the
hutineers could reach the cabin then
would be from the deck, descending
through the companion. So long as
they remained Of the capture
of Manuel there was little danger of
their taking such action.
Every well, steward" / said. "You
go on about your work as though moth
ing had happened. If any word of this
affair gets to the crew, or to those fell
lows forward, I'll hold you RESPONSE
Bile. You are not to leave this cabin
without my permission, nor speak to
anyone. LeVere."
The mulatto faced me respectfully
enough, and / had a feeling he would
obey orders, largely because he dare
not rebel.
''They will be wondering why you
ire not on deck. 1t will be better for
you to take charge of the watch at
once, and keep the men busy. Relieve
Watkins at the wheel and send the
nan down to me. He can choose the
fellows who will stick better than you
could, and then can circulate among
them without arousing suspicion"
Watkins soon shufied down the
steps. He whipped off his cap and
stood waiting.
I put my hand on his shoulder.
'4Tom," / said soberly, 1--WE are in the
same boat, and understand each other.
I-he chance has come for both Of us, IL
we play the cards right. Listen while
I tell you the situation, and what I
plan doing"
told 1t briefly, wasting no words,
yet relating every fact. He listened
eagerly, but without interruption un-
til the end.
"What do you make Of it," I asked.
"About what you do, sir. i knew
there was something Of the kind going
on-some Of the men forward are In
on It. You've got the ring-leader."
manuel, You mean. Who did he
count on for help In the ~forecastleT'
"Cochose. and a handful Of others,
niggers and Spaniards, mostly. They
meant to pull the affair of either to
day or tonight. Your plan gives us q
fair chance, sir. A dozen good men on
deck might do the business"
aBut are there a dozen aboard to
be trusted?"
.well, yes sir. I rather think there
are. I'd say that in both watches
there's maybe fourteen to be relied
on"
sTn my watch there's Jones. Har.
wood and Simms, either English OF
Welsh. They're all right. Then there's
a niger named Sam; Schmitt, q
sDutchman. with his partner. whose
| name I don't know, and two Trenches
Ravel and Pierre. That makes eight
nine counting myself. Then in the
|~-starboard watch I'd pick out Jim Car
| ter and Joe Cole, two Swedes. Carl
SON and Ole Hallin, and another Mig
ger. Then there are a couple of Firms
who ought to be with us, but ! cant
talk their lingo. That would give vi
sixteen out Of thirty, and It's quite
likely some Of the others would take q
hand with US, II they thought 1t wal
safe. I haven't any use though. SIR
Tor Francois Levere. There ain't .
worse scamp aboard"
ri know that" I admitted. "but b.
had to be used"
"And what Is my part nowf"
ssThis Ii my watch below. and II vii