Judsonia weekly advance., 1919-10-09
You heard thatY' I whispered. "I

nhdhuSi IISlctuH.
 "Ay; no other, and alive enough, no doubt. Lads, come close to me and listen-they must not hear us out there. By some devils trick the Ma mur has followed our course, or else wonder are a part of his crew cast i away. They clearly know of us-per- haps had a glimpse through some rift in the clOud-and are seeking to board with boat party. 'Tis not like ly those devils know who we are probably take us for merchant ship | becalmed in the fog and liable to be- come an easy prey, if they can only slip on us unseen How are you. bull lies? Ready to battle your old mates?"
 Those were no mates O ours, sir" said Watkins indignantly. "They are half-breed mongrels, and no sailors; Estevan is a hell-hound. an so far as my voice goes, I'd rather die on this , deck than ever agin be a bloody pirate. It that the right words, luds?'
 The others grumbled assent. but their muttered words had in them a ring of sincerity. and their faces ex- hibited no cowardice. One only asked question,
 I'm fer fightin'. slr," he said grim 1 ly. but what'll we use? Them lads ain't comin' aboard bare-handed, but damn if I've seed weapon on this hooker"
 Oars three knives. an meat cleaver in der galley, sah,' chimed in Sam.
 Well do well enough; some of you have your sheath knives yet. and the rest can use belaying pins and capstan bars The point is to not let them get aboard and. if there is only one boat we will be pretty even-handed. Pick up what you can. and man this rail- quietly now, hearties, and keep your l eyes open"
 It proved q longer wait than I ex- pected. Unable to withstand the in action any longer l turned and took a few steps aft, thinking to gauge our l progress by the wake astern. I was abaft the cabin on the port side when Dorothy called my name-a sudden ac- cent of terror in her voice.
 The alarm was sounded none too soon. Either fortune, or skill, had served those demons well. They had succeeded in circling the stern of the Santa Marie. unseen and unheard by anyone aboard. Even as she shrieked the alarm, q hand was at her throat, and she was struggling desperately in l the merciess grip of half naked In- dian.
 1 Yet at that they were too late. the advantage of surprise had failed them. A half dozen had reached the deck, leapng from the rail. the others below cambering after their leaders, when with a rush we met them It was a fierce. mad fight. fist and club pitted l against knife and cutlass, but the de l lenders struck like demons incarnate. l doubt if the struggle lasted two min l tes. l heard the blows, the oaths, the cries of pain, the dull thud of wood against bone, the sharp cang of steel in contact. the shuffiing of feet on the I deck, the splash of bodies hurled over board. Each man fought for himself, in his own way. thought only of her, and leaped straight for her assailant with bare hands, smashing recklessly through the nasty guard of his cutlass and gripped the copper devil by hair and throat. l knew she fell to the deck beneath our feet, but I had my work cut out for me. He was q he'll l hound. slippery as an eel in his half nakedness, strong as an OK, and fight ing like fiend. Yet had him foul my grip unbreakable, as l forced his neck back against the rail, until it cracked, the swarthy body sliding inert to the deck. Whirling to assist the others l found no need. Except for bodies here and there the deck was clear; men were struggling in the chains; two below in the boat were endeavoring to cast off. and Schmitt, with Estevan helpless in his arms, staggered to the side and flung the shrieking Spanish cur overheard out into dark water. 1 heard the splash as he fell, the single cry his lips gave, but he never again appeared above the sur face. Above the bedlam Watkins roared out an order.
 That's 1t, bullies! that's 1t! Now let her drop! We'll send them to hell where they belong. Good shot; she 1 landed !"
 1 It was the hank of spare anchor,