The state herald., 1919-08-29
Copyright. By a. c. NoClurE 2 Co.


| position on the chart. I asked few
questions, although I paid but little
attention to what he said, my mind
being busted with searching out his
real purpose. No doubt the situation
was very nearly as he described 1t
to be-Levere was no navigator, and
Estada himself only an Indifferent one.
Yet at that the course to the West
Indies was not long one. and II the
Portuguese had been able to bring
the bark from there to the Chesa-
peake. the return voyage should not
terribly him. No, that was not the
object; he was planning to keep at
sea, to waylay and attack merchant
ships. and then, after successful
cruise, arrive at Porto Grande laden
with spoils and hailed as a great
leader. His plan was to dispose Of
Sanchez-even to permit the Spaniard
to die Of his wounds; possibly even
to hasten md assure that death by
some secret resort to violence. No
doubt Levere was also concerned in
the conspiracy and would profit by It,
and possibly these two were likewise
assured Of the cooperation Of the
more reckless spirits among the crew.
remembered what Watkins Ind whIs-
pered to me forward-his suspicious
Of them both. He had been right;
already the fuse was being laid. and.
very fortunately, l happened to be
chosen to help touch 1t of. The
chance had sought blindly was being
plainly revealed.
1t was evident enough. however,
that Estada had no intention of trust
Ing me Immediately with his real mo-
tives. His confidence was limited,
and his instructions related altogether
to mere matters Of ship routine. 1
could await developments. But was
becoming wearied by the man
Il understand perfectly. senor." I
broke In Mt last impatiently. "You
will have to take for granted that 1
can enforce sea discipline and navi-
gate your boat to whatever part Of
the Ocean you desire to sail. All I
need is your orders. This. take 1t. Ia
all you require Of me?"
"Yes; plan, you execute"
"very good; now about myself" and
i arose to my feet. determined to
close the interview. "You say may
choose any stateroom on the port
slider"
They are all unoccupied. except
one. used by the steward a. Q store.
room"
! opened the door and stepped out
Into the main cabin, the roll Of chartS
under my arm. Estada didn't wait fer
Inc to question him.
Captain Sanchez stateroom IL aft"
he said. with q wave Of the hand.
There are two rooms. Jose II with
him-a negro with a knack at nurs-
Ing"
"Who else Is quartered aft heref"
He ignored the one thing I most de-
sired to learn. hut l did not press II.
believing l knew the answer already.
"Levere has this middle stateroom.
and Mendex the one forward. Mendez
is third officer and carpenter. Just
ut present with Levere required on
deck he has charge Of the men below.
Not the working crew: they are quar-
tered In the forecastle and are largely
English and Swede. But we have to
carry extrn men. who bunk amidships
-hellhounds to nght-mongrels Of
course. They are allowed on deck
amidships when we are at sen. but
are not encouraged to mingle with tho
sailors. We're over powder maga.
zine all the time. Gntes-any spark
might set II or"
! opened one Of the doors opposite
and glanced within. The interior dif-
fercd but little from that OF the state
room occupied by Estnda. except II
was minus the table. No doubt they
were all practically alike.
This will do very WELL" I said qui.
etly. "Now how about ciothes3 These |
wear look rather rough for the new
job"
"I'll send you the steward; he'll TX
you out from the slop chest"
was glad to sec him go and closed
the door on him with sigh Of relief.
II had nil occurred no quickly. almost
without effort on my part. I could do
little but wonder what strange occur.
renee would be next. What, indeed,
was there for me to do except TO await
devcioptnentsf Only one thing oc-
Cured to mel must discover some
means Immediately Of communicating
with Dorothy Fairfax.
The importance Of this could not bc
ovcrcstimatcd. With myself quarterci
nft md eating In the cabin We were
bound to meet sooner or later. and the