Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-04-16
what my orders we're. Then bid her

what my orders were. Then bid her
join u.s."
We stood in silence, as Gunsaules
crossed the deck and inserted key
in the after stateroom door. Manuel
was grinning in full enjoyment, but
the expression on the face of Estada
was that Of grim cruelty. / felt my
hands grip like iron on my chair back
and my teeth clinch in restraint. God,
but l would have liked to grip the fell
low where he stood-all the bottled
up hatred in my soul struggling for
action. Yet that would only mean the
death of all hope, and / turned my
eyes away from him and stared with
the others at the opening door.
Out into the full light of the cabin
the woman came and halted barely a
step m advance of the steward her
head uplifted proudly, her eyes on us.
Never before had l realized her beau
ty, her personality, as l did then. Her
posture was not that of defiance nor
of surrender; she stood as woman
defending her right to respect, sus-
tanned by a wonderful courage. /
caught her glance, but there was no
recognition in it; not by the flicker
of an eyelid did she betray surprise,
and yet in some mysterious manner a
fash Of intelligence passed between
us. 1t was all instantaneous, for her
gaze seemed to concentrate on EStada
as though she knew him as leader.
"You sent for me2 For what?" she
asked, her Spanish clear and well
chosen.
'TO join US at meal" he answered
unmOved. "It is better than to remain
alone"
"Betterl You must have a strange
opinion of me to believe 1 would sit
with murderers and thieves"
"Harsh words, senorita,'' and Estada
grinned grimly. "Yet / expected them.
There are many trades in the world
by which men are robbed. We only
work at the one we like best; nor will
discuss that with you. However,
senorita, I can say that we have taken
no lives in this last affair.""
''NO lives J" in sudden, incredulous
surprise. "You mean my uncle lives?"
eff you refer to Fairfax-the one in
whose room the chest was hidden, /
can only reply truthfully that he lives.
One of my men struck him down, but
it was not a death blow. If that be
the reason of your disdain there is no
cause. This chair is held for you"
'But why was brought away
prisoner? To be plaything? A sport
for your pleasure"
"That was but the orders of our
chief; we await his recovery to learn
his purpose"
Sanchez! Was he your chief? A
pirate?"
"a buccaneer; we prey on the enc
mics Of Spain. 1t was at Captain San
chez orders we waited the arrival of
your vessel from England. He loved
you; he would no doubt have dealt
with you honorably; l have reason to
believe that to be his purpose now.
Nothing will change his purpose. He
is that kind, and he has the power.
He determined that if you would not
come to him by choice you should be
made to by force. You are here now
by his orders and will remain until
you consent to his purpose-all that
remains for you to decide is whether
you choose to be prisoner or guest
aboard"
"And if he should die2''
Estada shrugged his shoulders In
differently.
"Who knows?"
Her lips frightened as though to hold
back a cry while one hand pressed to
the open door steadied her. There
was look in the searching eyes did
not like to see. 1t was moment be-
fore she could control her voice.
II have heard them call you Estada.
OF what rank in this company are
your"
Il am Pedro Estada, formerly the
first officer, now, by occasion of Cap
tain Sanchez wound, in full command.
These are two of my officers-Senor
Gates, one of your own countrymen,