The Taney County republican., 1919-09-25


ping his mad ruSheS, landing again
and again on his body. Twice / got
In over his heart, and at last found
the chance | sought, and sent right
! jab straight to the chin. All the force
of one hundred and eighty pounds was
behind the clenchcd fist, and the negro
went down ns though floOred by a
| pOleax. Once weakly he endeavOred
to rise, but this time l used my left.
and he never stirred again, lying
there with no sign of life except the
| Qdivering Of the huge body. Assured
that he was down and out, | stood
above him, gazing into the ring Of ex-
cited faces.
That's one attended to- said
shortly. "NOw Is there any more of
you who would like to fight this out?"
There was no answer although the
ring widened under the threat Of my
eyes, and / met sullen faces here and
there. l was in no mood to take
chances.
Carlson" I said, "yOu know all
these men. Pick out those you can
trust, and have them stand over there
10 the right Call them out by name /;
be lively now"
They stepped forth eagerly enough,
and ranged themselves before the
hunks, the faces mostly those Of north
ern Europe, although negro or two
was among them. As the Swede
ceased calling, six or seven yet re
mained clustered in front Of me, a
motley lot, one of them an Indian, the
others mostly half-breeds. l glanced
from face TO face inquiringly.
"How about it, your asked. "Are
there any more Of you fellows who
take chance with us? This is my
last offer"
whats the gamer asked sullen
voice in English, and bearded fellow,
burned black, pushed his way to the
front. II used ter be Scotch; now
don't know what l am. One flag is
as good as another ter me-only /
want to know what sorter game I'm
playin' in. Who are yer? An wizard
yer cum frumf
II am an English seaman" I an
swered shortly, "and how came
aboard makes no difference. Right
now l am the only navigator on the
Namur. Estada Is dead-knifed last
night by one Of the buccaneers, Man
uel EstJyaD a&9 a hand In the bqs'-
ness, and he's safely losked in a state
room aft. Captain Sanchez is wound
ed and helpless, and those cut-thronts
amidshIps are battened down below
matches. LeVere and are the officers
left, and we control the deck"
"Yer mean those fellers were aimin'
ter take the shipT'
Exactly that; now where are you
lads7 With Manuel and his bunch of
pirates7 Or with us1'
"What er yer going ter do with us,
an this ship? That's the fu'st Ques.
tion."
/ had not decided that even IN my
own mind, but the answer came
promptly enough,
II am going TO leave that to the crew.
As soon as we have all secure, I'll
have every man on deck, and then
we'll talk 1t over. That's fair enough
isn't it?"
ut looks fair. Come on, mates; I'm
fer the EngliShman."
Only one followed him, however, a
sheep-faced boy; the others remained
sulleu and defiant. l had no further
time to waste in explanations. !
glanced up at Carter's face framed in
the scuttle hole.
"Carter, pass these men up and take
them forward with the others. Turn
them over to Watkins. Then come
back here, and report to me-"
They went up the ladder one by
one, and disappeared onto the deck
above. Carlson and l watched the
others until Carter stuck his head
once again through the opening.
"AIl safe, sir--they was like lambs" "
every well; stand by to help. Now
you lads, lift this black and shove him
up TO where they can get hold above" "
They holsted the unconscious form
up the ladder and forced 1t through
the hole onto the deck. At my stern
command they crawled forth into the
sunlight. There they picked up Co
chose and carried him aft.
went to the main hatch, and had
the cover slipped to one side, the
armed sailors gathering close about
the edge, as l peered down. 1t was q
scene of pandemonlum, revealed In the
yellow fame of slush lanterns, group
Of white faces showing clearly, as the
prisoners below struggled forward
gesticuating and shouting. Ignoring
their mad roaring, and the threat OF
leveled guns, stared down at the In.
furlated faces, until the clamOr ceased
sufficiently to let my voice be heard.
"What are you men trying to do
frighten me? You might as well stoE
that. This opening is lined with guns
and II one Of you fire shot we'll pour
lead Into you. More than that; II yor
attempt to climb out there is brass
carronade trained on the hatch. Sc
i;r4,n, yt'n o.n q, ,n,.tro1 rf tho Chi,