The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-06-20
CHAPTER XX--Continued.

cheer, the fellows seeming to realize
the desperate nature Of their work,
and the Importance OF surprise. They
were outnumbered five to one, and
their only hope of success lay in rem
dering their opponents helpless before
they could rally to a defense. All the
pent-up hate Of years wa in their
hearts, blaZed madly in their eyes ;
they were tigers leaping at the throat
of their prey, yet sane enough to com
prehend even in their ~bloOd-rage that
they must act together. 1t was owe
so quickly l scarcely saw 1t all. My
eyes swept from group to group-the
hatch; the fellows racing toward the
fOrecastle; and Watkins squad driv-
Ing straight into the grouped watch
beyond the foremost. IL was Smartly
done; Watkins had taken no c~utlass,
but went in with both fists, asking no
questions, but battering right and left,
his men surging after, with steel
blades flaming in the sunlight. The
astounded watch, curSing and fighting
grimly, held for a moment, and then
went staggering back against the port
rail, unable TO stem the rush, and roar
ing for mercy. ] had view Of Carlson
dropping recklesSly down the foreCas-
tie scuttle, and then sprang forward
myself to give a hand to the four
wrestling with the main hatch. To-
yether we dragged it into position,
'Orcing r~elentlessly back as we did SO,
. dozen struggling figures frantically
endeavortng TO reach the deck. Shots
'ere fred, the bullets whistling
through the opening, the flare lighting
up the black depths below, revealing
vaguely a mass of frantic men staring
up, and cursing us tiercely in a dozen
languages; but, in spite Of them, we
clamped the hatch down tight, and
ocked 1t securely into place with an
iron bar.
Watkins needed no help; he had ms
party rounded up. To my orders they
were driven into the cooks galley and
a guard stationed at the door. Then I
turned to the more serious work con-
fronting me in the forecastle. We
must have men enough to sail the
park, and if / was to command them,
must first Of all prove my courage
nd enforce authority. The whole sue
cess Of effort depended on this.
"What's going on below?" 1 asked.
"Cursin' mostly" answered Carter,
)eering down through q slight uptilt-
ing OF the scuttle. "They don't just
know what's happening yet, but the
big niger seems ter be raisin' hell.
Carlson is a holdin' him back with his
cutlaSs."
"Open up and let me down."
i fell, rather than clambered along
the rungs of the ladder, coming to
my feet on deck In the midst Of a
group of angry men. The light was so
poor l could scarcely see their faces;
q babel Of voices greeted me, and more
than one hand gripped me iercely as
the excited owner yelped a demand to
know what In hell we were up to. l
roughly cleared a space, aided by Carl
sons cutlass, and frOnted them. Tow
ering above them all, his black ape
like face, distorted with rage, l dis
tinguished the giant Cochose, his Inn
mense hands grasping a wooden bar
ripped from a bunk. Plainly enough
he was the leader. If l was to rule,
this black brute must be conquered
at the very start, conquered by my
own hands, and in the presence of his
mates.
"Stand back there lads" I said stern
~. "Tll explain all that has happened
presently, but first I am going to lick
that black within an inch of his life.
Step out of there, Cochose."
He came grinning widely, balancing
the heavy club.
you mean me. sab? You all think
yer kin lick me?"
"Yes, i think so; I'll try 1t anyway.
Here Carlson, take this pistol and
sheath knife. If anyone interferes
shoot him. All / ask is fair play.
Drop that club, Cochose, and throw
away your knife. You and / will fight
this out with bare hands"
His dull brain worked slowly, and
ne stared at me, his eyes ugly. His
silence and lack of response, awoke a
growl from the impatient circle of
men behind. One fellow kicked the
club out Of his hand contemptuously,
and another plucked the knife from
his belt.
"YOu big skulker," the latter said,
with an oath Of derisiOn. Ego on. and
fight"
"What for All fight this white man?
All don't v en know who no is"
Then I'll tell you. Estada is dead ;
Manuel Is a prisoner. I'm In COM
nsnd of this bark. You are a big.
t-asting cur! ! heard what you said
when came down, and now I'll make
you prove It."