The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-06-27
CHAPTER XXI.
Is
The Crew Decides.

the small group Of gunnerS clustered
about 1t, the scene was ~peaceable
enough, resembling the deck of some
merchant ship. LeVere stood motion
less at the poop rail, staring down and
his attitude and expression Of face
aroused within me a doubt Of the man,
q determination to put him to the test.
Evidently he had held aloof and re-
Trained from taking even the slightest
part in our activities. The men them
selves were mostly forward, grouped
together and still excitedly discussing
the situation.
"Stand by to reef topsails," / shout
ed. Were all one watch now. Go at
II lively, lads, and when the job Is
over wen eat, and decide together
what's our next move. Two of you
will be enough to guard the hatch and
one of you go into the cabin and re-
lieve the girl there. Keep your eyes
open. I'll be down presently. Aloft
with you and see how quick a job you
car make of It."
Watkins led the way up the main
mast ratlines, and Cole was first into
the fore shrouds, the others following
eagerly. l watched them lay out on
the yards and was heartened to hear
the fellows sing as they worked, the
canvas melting away as If by magic. l
climbed the ladder to where LeVere
stood on the poop, but carefully
ignored his presence, my gaze on the
scene aloft. Twice / gave orders,
changing the steering direction slight
ly, and commanding the lower sails
reefed. The mulatto scowling, joined
me at the rail.
whats all this about?" he asked.
THAT'S no storm cloud yonder."
There Is always danger in fog" ]
answered coldly, land besides there is
no use carrying on until we know
where we are bound. My purpose is
to keep the men busy, and then talk
the situation over with them. Have
you any criticism of this plan, Senior
LeVere?"
He hesitated, but his eyes were mar
rowed, and ugly.
you'll do as you please, but you
told me we sailed for Porto Grande.
Was that q lie?"
"Not necessarily" and I smiled
grimly. Although I should not have
hesitated to tell one under the circum-
stances. l mean to leave that decision
to the men themselves. 1t is their
lives that are in danger"
THAT scum! half Of them are Eng
lish and French. All they want Is to
get away; they will never go back to
Porto Grande without you make
them"
f.."How make them?"
'By false observations; there is no
navigator forward. 1t Is a trick easy
enough to play with a little nerve. I
would never have taken part In this
mutiny If / had supposed you meant
to play into the hands Of the men,"
ut is very little part you took Senior
Levere, judging from what / saw. You
seemed quite content to stand aft here
and look on However you ere In 1t
Just as deeply as I am, and are going
to play the game out with me to the
end. Do you understand that?"
what you mean, senOr-play 1t
outf"
go on with the rest Of US; take
your chance with the men and do your
duty. I am captain here. The first
sign Of treachery On your part will
send you below with those others. !
don't trust you, and all I want Is an
excuse to put you out Of the way-so
be careful what you do"
turned and walked away from him
toward the forward rail. The men
were still aloft but coming In from of
the yards. Below me In the door of
the companion, stood Dorothy. her
eyes peering curiously about the de-
s4Ftsf deck. She glanced up and saw
me.
May I come up there2" she asked.
Certainly let me help you. Stand
here beside me, and you can see au
that Is being done. That's all. lads
breakfast is ready; lay down all ex'
cept the lookout"
We watched while they streamed
down the ratlines and gathered for
ward Of the galley. squatting in groups
ON the deck. To all appearances the
fellows had not a care In the world
or any thought of the stirring scenes
tuSt passed through. The girls hand
touched my sleeve. and I turned and
looked into her face.
"Have you considered Captain San
chexf" she asked.
why no." In surprise. he IL help
les below. badly wounded"
SNot % badly as you suppose" she
aid swiftly, HE ID able to be MP and
about his stateroom. I heard him
moving, and I believe the steward hal
t4ld him what has occurred on board
ana sndeavursd to bear q message
rom him to those men amidships. ]
hsld my pistol to bis head and locked
him In the pantry. he u there now
With the sailor you sent on guard
Thst n what I came On deck TO tell