St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1919-08-09

answered by a blaze of light, revealing
the silhouette of a man, engaged in
touching flame to a torch of hemp. 1t
flung forth a dull yellow flare, and re-
vealed a scene of horror. Our assafl-
ants were massed halfway back. Be
tween us, even ten feet from the
stairs. the deck was Uttered with
bodies, CHASTITY faces staring up, with
black stains of blood everywhere. It
was Manuel's hand which had kindled
the light, and the first croak of his
voice told his purpose.
"Now you skulking towards" he
yelled pointing forward, do you see
what you are fighting? There are only
five men between you and the deck.
To hell with 'eml Come on! I'll show
you the way!"
He leaped forward but it was his
last step. / sent the cleaver hurting
through the air. / know not how it
struck him, but he went down, his
last word a Shrek, his arms flung out
in vain effort to ward off the blow.
Schmitt roared out a Dutch oath, and
his gun, sent whirling above me,
crashed into the uplifted torch. Again
it was black night, through which the
eye could perceive nothing. Even the
noise ceased, but a hand gripped my
shoulder.
who are your
watkins. The beats are ready. The
one forward has pushed off loaded.
The afterboat is alongside. There Is
such q fog, sir, yer can't see two
fathoms from the ship. The girl is in
the boat, but LeVere amt. The mate
slipped out o. sight in the fog. He's
somewhere aboard"
"Never mind him the fellow al do
no harm now. Move back slowly lads.
Schmitt and I will be the last ones
out"
We closed the companion door as
silently as possible and for the mo-
ment there was no sound from within
to show that our cautious withdrawal
had been observed. / stared about, but
was able to perceive little beyond the
small group awaiting my orders. The
fog chung thick and heavy on all sides,
and it was impossible for the eye to
penetrate to either rail. Fortunately
there was no weight Of sea running.
"There is nothing more to keep US
aboard lads. Stow yourselves away
and hang on I'll wait here until you
are all over"
They faded away into the mist, dim
spectral figures, and I remained alone,
listening anxiously for some hostile
sound from below. Satisfied that the
lads were safely over the rail and the
decks clear, I turned toward the ships
side. As I did so a yell reached my
ears from the blackness below-the
hounds had found voice.
1 ran through the fog in the direc-
don the others had disappeared, and
had taken scarcely three steps when
I collided against the form of a man,
whose presence was not even noticed
until we came together. Yet ne must
have been there expectant and ready,
for a quick knife thrust slashed the
front of my jacket, bringing a squirt q
blood as the blade was jerked back.
Even as my fingers gripped the uplift-
ed wrist, ere he could strike the sec
ond time, | knew my antagonist. I
knew also this vas a fight To RE death;
to be terminated before that unguard.
crushed in, arms severed, the sudden
squirting of blood from CHASTITY wounds.
Oaths mingled with cries of agony and
shouts of hate. Then in an instant the
light was dashed out and all was dark
! ness.
1t was as though my brain snapped
back into ascendency. / vas no long
er a raging fury, mad with the desire
to kill, but cool-headed, planning es-
| cape. Before a hand could reach me
ran. | stumbled up the stairs leading
to the companion. The vague glimmer
of daylight showing through the glass,
revealed the presence of Watkins. /
heard him dash the door wide open,
call to those on deck, and then saw
him wheel about to again confront the
devils plunging blindly forward toward
US through the dark cabin. We could
hold them for a time at least, yet I
had the sense to know that this check
would prove only temporary. They
o~ut-numbered us ten to one, and would
arm themselves from the rack. Yet
the greater danger lay in the possible
disloyalty of my W men A dozen of
US might hold these stairs against as
sault, but treachery would leave us
helpless. If one among them should
steal below forward, and force open
the door from the ~forecastle, we would
be crushed between two waves of men,
and left utterly helpless. / saw the
whole situation wildly, and as quickly
chose the one hope remaining.
Watkins" / called sharply back
over my shoulder. "Get the boats
ready and be lively about it. Wen
hold these fellows until you report.
The two quarterboats will hold us all.
Knock out the plugs in the others. See
that Miss Fairfax is placed safely in
the afterboat, and tsen stand by. Send
me word the moment all is ready"
I had glimpse of the thick fog with
out as he pushed through the door,
and Of a scarcely distinguishable group
of men on the deck. Those about me
could only be located by their restless
movements. l stepped down one stair
conscious Of increasing movement be-
low, the meat cleaver still gripped in
my hands.
ANY of you armed with cut1asses2''