The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-25

here and there a sturdy English coun- tenance meeting my gaze, but the faces were largely foreign, with those of two negroes conspicuous.
 ''TweIve here. sir; I couldn't get Harwood down from the foretop," said Watkins.
 And there are others below who will join us?'
 'Yes, sir; six more I count on."
 (Which means lads, that with Har- wood. Senor LeVere, and myself, we'll total tweuty-one in this shindy. Now I'll tell you what is up. Watkins gave you some of it no doubt, but a word from me will make it clearer. I'm no pirate; I'm an English sailor. shang- hied. Estadu named me first officer because I understand navigation.''
 I stopped speaking, staring at one of the faces before me; all at once it appeared familiar. "What is your name. my mau?"
 'Jim Carter, sir"
 ''You were on the Sinbad, three years ago?"
 ''I was that, Mister Carlyle" he an- swered grinning. T know'd you the minute I cum down yere''
 '"Then that is all I need say on that line. Here's one of your mates, lads, who will vouch for me Now, as I've been told, you are all of you in the same boat-yOU are prisoners on board. Luck has given us a chance to make a break, and get away. Captain Sanchez is wounded and helpless. Pedro Estada is dead, and I've got Manuel locked in that stateroom. His cut-throats are all below, and now all we've got to do is clap on the hatch and keep them there. Now, what I want to know is are you fellows with me?"
 Watkins answered up promptly i; then Carter; the others joining in with less heartiness, the different accents revealing their nationalities. I knew sailors well enough to feel assured they would follow their leaders once the game started.
 That's good enough; now we've got to hit hard and quick, lads. There are six men on deck who are not with us. Watkins will take care of them with those fellows I don't assign to other work. Jones, you and Carter make straight for the forecastIe and don't let anyone come up the scuttIe. One of you had better drop down below, and prevent any of those lads from unbarring the door leading amidships. Who is the best for that job?"
 Let Carlson do it.''
 "All right-Carlson it is then. You Frenchmen, and the two negroes, your part will be to ship the main hatch. Do a quick job, and clamp it down tight''
 ''I'u come down to you Carlson, as soon as we have the deck. It ought not to take more than five minutes to handle those lads, and slew around a carronade. Watkins, you and Carter hand out the cutlasses from the rack 1; you boys will handle those better than firearms. Good; now are you all ready?"
 There was 9 low murmur of voices, the faces watching me showing their increasing excitement and eagerness. Our little talk had served to arouse their confidence in my leadership, and with gleaming weapons in their hands they became self-reliant volunteers. Once turned loose my greatest diff cuIty might be to restrain them, rather than urge them on. Revenge for past wrongs was in each heart, and they welcomed a chance to strike.
 I whispered a parting word of ad- monition into the ear of Dorothy, re- ceiying in return q glance from her eyes, which gave a new throb to my heart; then strengthened up, and pis- toI in hand, pushed my way through the throng of sailors to the foot of the stairs.
 Follow me, lads" said quietly.
 Continued TomOrrow.)