The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times., 1919-10-02
CHAPTER xvi-continued.

fes; hold my hand while i guide
you; we can sit here"
II was couch of some kind against
the outer wall. She did not release
her grasp, seemingly gaining courage
from this physical contact, and my fin
gers closed warmly over her own"
"Now, please" breathlessly, show Is
II possible you are aboard this ves-
sel-an officer?"
1 told her the strange story, as
swiftly and simply us possible, speak
Ing scarcely above whisper. feeling
as l progressed that related a dream
seemed to me she could scarcely be ex-
pected to believe the truth of what
said, and yet she did. almost unques-
tioningly, the clasp of her fingers per-
ceptibly tightening as proceeded
She sat so close beside me that
could feel her breath upon my cheek.
"Why, if-if you had not told me
this yourself could hardly believe
such n tale" she exclaimed. "Yet It
must be true, miraculous as II seems.
But what is to be the ending? Have
you any plan Of escapeT
Hardly plan. l have had no op-
portunity even to learn the true na-
ture Of the crew. Watkins is an hon.
est sailor, and he has told me OF 9TH
ers on whom I could rely. There are
those aboard-but l do not know how
many-who would mutiny IL they had
a leader and reasonable chance OF
success. l must reach these and learn
who they are. Fortunately the voyage
promises to be long enough to enable
me to plan carefully"
"You have discussed the voyage
with this man-Estada
He told me what he had decided
upon; not to return to their rendez-
vous until after they had captured
some prizes and could go with gold
chinking in their pockets"
"Where Is their rendezvous?"
IAN island In the West Indies, prob
ably not on the chart. They call 1t
Porto Grande."
"And they will sweep the ocean be-
tween here and there seeking victims?
Unarmed merchantmen to rob and
sink? And you-you will be compelled
to take part in such scenes, such acts
OF pillage and perhaps murder?"
II presume I must seem to be one
OF them to avoid suspicion. Have you
any suggestionsT
'There Is conspiracy on board al-
ready" she said quickly. shat you may
DOT know about"
"You mean to depose SanchezT
"Yes; you had suspicioned 1t? They
thought me unconscious In the boat,
and talked among themselves-the
two ut the stern, Estada and that
beast Manuel. / did not understand
all they said, but / do not think they
intend the captain shall recover"
"You think 1t best that he should?"
"Oh, l do not know; there Is no
best that can see. Yet I would have
more faith In being spared disgrace
II at the mercy Of Sanchez. than his
lieutenant. Both may be equally guilty,
equally desperate, but they are not the
same men. / may be wrong, for /
Judge as n woman. yet l would feel
safer with Sanchez. The other merely
desires with the passions OF n brute.
No appeal would reach him; he would
laugh ut tears and find pleasure in
suffering. And yet you would have
me appear friendly with Estada?"
'We cannot permit him to feel that
either of us are enemies. He Is the
power aboard; our lives, everything
are In his hands. If he means to be
rid OF Sanchez the man is doomed for
he will md way to accomplish his
purpose; murder means nothing to
these men,"
"Of course you are right" she ac-
knowledged. "Our case Is so desper-
ate We must resort to any weapons.
You believe 1t will serve the possibility
of escape IL / permit this monster to
Imagine that l have some interest In
himY"
ITO do so might delay the explo-
sion," replied grnvely, "and Just now
any delay Is welcome. / doubt IL even
Estada will resort to force on board |;
indeed force will be the very last card
he will care to play In your case. You
are English and all the practical sea-
men on board are from northern Eu-
rope - English and Scandinavian.
These men are not pirates from choice
they are prisoners who have takef
on to save their own lives. With his
bullles and cutthroats amldshlps he
can compel them to work, but he dare
not 20 too far. Once these fellows
unite In mutiny they could take the
ship. An assault on you would be
dangerous"
ut Is these men you count ONT"
"Yes; hut for me TO gain their conf
dence and leadership will require
time. The slightest slip would mean
failure and merciless punishment. At
best the situation is absolutely des-
perate-but ] see no other solution" |"
"And my service In deceit-the act