The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1919-06-26
Continued From Previous Issue.)
CHAPTER XIV.
The Cabin Of the Namur.
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Copyright By A. q. McClurs 3 Co.

troll the bucking wheel. He was an
ugly-looking brute, the lower portion
of his face apelike and the wool grow
ing so low as to leave him scarcely
an inch of forehead His eyes lifted
an instant from the pinnacle card to
glance at me curiously. They exhib-
tied no fash of recognition.
For half an hour Estada hung about
aft, apparently paying no attention to
me. and yet watching my movements
closely. There was little to be done,
but / thought it best to keep the watch
reasonably busy, so they might thus
learn that | knew my work. They
proved prompt and capable enough,
although I was eyed with some Curl
oslty when / first went forward, and,
no doubt was very thoroughly dis
cussed behind my back. The idlers
amidships were totally different
class-a mongrel scum, profanely
chatting in Spanish or staggering
about the deck. their very looks a
challenge. However, they kept out
of my way and ! found no occasion
to interfere with their diversions.
After Estada left the deck the ma
jorty amused themselves gambling,
and as / had received no orders to
interfere / permitted the games to pro-
coed. Mendez interfered only once
on occasion of brief fight My only
Instructions from the Portuguese on
his going below was TO call him at
once If sail was sighted Apparent
~ he was satisfied Of my ability to
command the deck.
No occasion to call him arose dur
Ing my watch. 1t was still daylight,
but with a purple CLEAN across the
waters. when LeVere arrived on deck.
for my relief. We were talking to-
gether abaft the wheel when Estada
appeared in the companionway.
livery promise of a clear night" he
said glancing about at the horizon.
Better change the course two points.
LeYere; we are lying i'm too close TO
the coast for our purpose. The table
call viii come very shortly Senior
Gates"
washed up hastily in my state
room and came out into the cabin
penlexed as to what might occur
within the next few moments. Yet
whatever the result there was no
avoiding it. My every move was one
Of extreme caution
hstada and Estevan awaited ne. The
latter was all rugged out and with
smooth black hair oiled and plastered
down upon his forehead. l never be.
held a more disagreeable face, or one
which so thoroughly revealed the ma
ture Of man. AS touched his hand,
at Estada's brief introduction, it was
as if ] fingered a snake.
This is your chair, Gates, and you
will find we live well aboard the Ma
mur-wine, women and song-hey,
Manuel Why not, when all are az
command? Steward. you told the lady
what my orders were Then bid her
inin Us"
We STOOD in silence. as Gunsaules
crossed the deck and inserted a Key
10 toe after stateroom door. Manuel
was grinning in fun enjoyment, but
the expression on the face OF Estada
WIS that of grim cruelty. | felt my
hands grip like iron on my chair back
anu nay teeth clinch in restraint. God,
out would have liked to grip the fell
low where he stOod--all the bottled
up hatred in my soul struggling for
ac1on. Yet that would only mean the
death of all hope and ! turned my
ev% away from him and stared with
'ne others ut the opening door.
tut into the full light of the cabin
the woman came and halted barely a
step in advance of the steward, her
head uplifted proudly, her eyes on us.
Never before had | realized her beau
", her personality, as I did then. Her
posture was not that of defiance nor
o. surrender; she stood as a woman
descending her right to respect, sus-
talned by a wonderful courage.
caught her glance. but there was no
recognition In It; not by the flicker
N an eyelid did she betray surprise,
ana yet in some mysterious manner a
nash of intelligence passed between
Us II was all instantaneous, for her
sase seemed to concentrate on Estada
as oough she knew him as leader
nou sent for me? For what?" she
a@ed, her Spanish clear and well
aAUxn.
Join us at meal" he answered
owed. ut is better than to remain
asxRe"
B@teri You must have strange
opMon of me to believe | would sit
WIN murderers and thieves
Harsh words, senorita," and Estada
srinned grimly. yet | expected them.
Anere are many trades in the world
~ winch men are robbed. We only
~ork at the one we like best; nor will
DISCUSS that with you. However,
senorita, can say that we have taken
~ nVes In this last affair"
NO lives" III sudden, incredulous
surprise. you mean my uncle lives?p
u VOC refer to Falrfax-the one In
""ose room the chest was hidden. ]
Gu Gu only reply truthfully that he lives.
'e OF my men struck him down, but
VAS not death blow. II that be