Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1919-12-26
CHAPTER Xm-Continued.

|
apt to be much left in his pockets.
THE fact is" he began doubtful
ly, what you just said to me OF
deck CHANGED to be of interest. Yo'
are navigator"
II was in comand Of ships 70
four years, senior; naturally / know
navigation"
Il will soon learn II you hav,
lied. and that will be sorry da.
for you. I'll tell you. Gates. how
matters stand aboard. and why
have need of your skill. Then 20,
may take your choice-forecastlt
or the cabin?"
you invite me aft, senor?"
'T'll give you chance to move
your dunnage il you will do my
work. Listen now. sanchez has
been badly hurt. 1t may be weeks
before he leaves his cabin, If, in.
deed, he ever does. That leaves me
in command with but one officer, the
mulatto, lie We're. This might
answer to take US safely to Porte
Grande, as we could stand watch
and watch. but Francois is nc
sailor. 1t was his part on board
to train and lead the fighting men
he cannot navigate. Saint Christie
pher! fear to leave him alone in
charge of the deck while ] snatch
an hours Sleep"
Il see," l admitted. And your
self, senior? Your are a seaman
Enough to get along, but not
quite sure as to my figures. have
taken no sights except as we came
north on this trip. IT'S for this
reason l need you--but you Will
play me no smart English trick, my
man, or I'll have you by the heels
at once. ] know enough to verify
your figures"
Il thought of no trick. Estada,"
said coldly, now satisfied as to
his purpose and confident Of my
own power. you would have me
as navigator. very weil-at what
termS?"
with rating as first officer and
your fair proportion of all spoils.'
"You mean then to continue the
course? To attack vessels on the
high seas?'
why not?" sneeringly. Are
you too white-livered for that sort
of job? If so. then you are no man
for me. 1t is long voyage to Por-
to Grande, and no reason why we
should hurry home; the welcome
there will be better if we bring
chests of gold aboard. Ay, and the
thought will put hope into the
hearts of the crew; they are rest
less now from long waiting"
But Captain Sanchez? You have
no surgeon, ! am told. Will he not
suffer from neglect of his wound?"
Suffer? No more tnan under
a leech ashore. All that can be
done has been. His was clean
knife thrust. which has been
washed, treated with lotion and
bound up. No leech could do more.
And my quarters-will they be
aft?"
You will have your choice of
those at port. Come now-have you
an answer ready?"
heartily. Il am your man, Estada."
CHAPTER XIV.
Warn Dorothy.
The Portuguese, evidently well
pleased at my prompt acceptance
Of his proposal, talked on for some
line, explaining to me something
Of the situation aboard the Namur.
md pointing out what he believed
70 be our position on the chart. l
asked a few questions, although I
paid but little attention to what
he said, my mind being busted with /
out his real purpose. No
loubt the situation was very nearly |
Is he described ii to be-LeVere !
vas no navigator. and Estada him
elf only an Indifferent one. Yet |
t that course to the West Indies
vas not long one. and If the I
had been able to bring
he bark from there to the Chesa-
,eake. the return voyage should t
lot terrify him. No, that was not I
he object: he was planning to
,eep at sea, to waylay and attack
merchant ships, and then, after a
uccessful cruise, arrive at Porto
srande laden with spoils and hailed
IS a great leader. His plan was to
dispose of Sanehez-even to permit
he Spaniard to die of his wounds,
possibly even to hasten and assure
hat death by some secret resort to
-iolence. No doubt LeVere was al
o concerned in the conspiracy ano
would profit by it. and possibly
hese two were likewise assured OF