The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1919-09-05
CHAPTER xx-continued.

aIfu 6lcppcu dOluC DIS lAc OtICl
rushed by. There was no shout, n
cheer, the fellows seeming to realiz
the desperate nature of their work
and the Importance of surprise. The
were outnumbered five to one, an,
their only hope of success lay in rem
sfering their opponents helpless befor
they could rally to defense. All tn,
Fsent-up hate of years was In thei
hearts, blazed madly in their eyes
they were tigers leaping at the throa
of their prey, yet sane enough to com
arehend even in their blood-rage tha
they must act together. 1t was over
SO quickly I scarcely saw it all. My
eyes swept from group to group-the
four toiling at the cover of the main
Batch; the fellows racing toward the
ferecastle; and Watkins squad driv-
Tag straight into the grouped watch
beyoud the foremost. 1t was smartly
done; Watkins had taken no cutlass
hut went In with both fists, asking nc
questions, but battering right and left
his men surging after, with steel
BLADES flaming in the sunlight. The
aSssunded watch, cursing and fighting
xsrfHaIy, held for a moment, and then
went staggering back against the port
rail. unable to stem the rush, and roar
ing for mercy. / had view of Carlson
dropping recklessly down the forecas-
tie scuttle, and then sprang forward
myself to give a hand TO the four
wrestling with the main hatch. To-
zetfler we dragged it into position,
forcing relentlessly back as we did so.
n dozen struggling figures frantically
endeavoring to reach the deck. Shots
were fired, the bullets whistling
through the opening, the flare lighting
up the black depths below, revealing
vaguely a mass of frantic men staring
Hp, and cursing us fiercely in dozen
languages; but, in spite of them, we
<.Iasaped the hatch down tight, and
locked it securely into place with an
iron bar.
Watkins needed no help; he had MS
party rounded up. To my orders they
were driven into the cooks galley and
a guard stationed at the door. Then /
turned to the more serious work con-
fronting me in the forecastle. We
must have men enough to sail the
bark, and if 1 was to command them,
4 must first of all prove my courage
and enforce authority. The whole sue
cess of our effort depended on this.
"What's going on below?" asked.
s4Cursin' mostly" answered Carter
p4ering down through slight uptilt-
Sng of the scuttle. "They don't just
know what's happening yet, but the
Gig niger seems ter be raisin' hell.
Carlson is holdin' him back with his
cnfinsS-"
"Open up and let me down."
r fell, rather than clambered along
ffye rungs of the ladder, coming to
Ely feet on deck in the midst of
group OF angry men. The light was so
poor could scarcely see their faces +; |
n babel of voices greeted me. and more |
shan one hand gripped me fiercely as |
fEe excited owner yelped demand to |
know what in hell we were up to. I
roughly cleared space, aided by Carl |
so1,s cutlass. and fronted them. Tow
erfnE above them all, his black ape
ike face, distorted with rage, / dis
sinEuished the giant Cochose, his i'm
nense hands grasping a wooden bar
rifped from a bunk. Plainly enough
be was the leader If / was to rule,
his black brute must be conquered
1t the very start, conquered by my
,rr hands, and in the presence of his
mates
stand back there lads" said stern
y .~I1i explain all that has happened
but first am going to lick
hat bsack Within an inch of his life.
Step cut of there, Cochose."
He came grinning widely, balancing
be heavy club.
You mean me, sab? You all think
pcr kin lick me?"
-eYeS. I think so; I'll try 1t anyway.
Here Carlson, take this pistol and
Aenth knife. II anyone interferes
root him. All 1 ask is fair play.
drop that club, Cochose, and throw
lu1y your knife. You and will fight
his out with bare hands"
His dull brain worked slowly, ard
e stared at me, his eyes ugly. His
Hence and lack of response, awoke a
,rowi from the impatient circle of
aen behind. One fellow kicked the
lab out Of his hand contemptuously,
nd another plucked the knife from t
= belt. It
~You big skulker." the latter said. t
III "a oath Of defision, "go on. and B
eAlf
~Whaf for All fight this white mani Z
I doa't even know who he is"
s~Thea I'll tell you. Estada Il dead 9
|nnusa = : prisoner. I'm in COM
- q this bark. You are : big, {
Daotine eurl heard w1a& - aid Z
- / eano AoNA and - RI n,ake 2
II rDoyt Il : c
{ - - 49, tsrwasA ~ - 9