The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1919-08-15
CHAPTER xVI-continued.
II

~
"Yes; hold my hand while l guild
you; we can sit here"
1t was couch of some kind agains
the outer WALL She did not releas
her grasp, seemingly gaining courag
from this physical contact, and my fin
gers closed warmly over her own"
Nov, please" breathlessly, "how 1
1t possible you are aboard this yes
sei-an officer?"
I told her the strange story, a:
swiftly and simply as possible, speak
ting scarcely above a whisper, feeling
as progressed that / related a dream
rather than a series of facts. II
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 1 proceeded
She sat so close beside me that ]
could feel her breath upon my cheek.
"Why, tiff you had not told me
this yourself I could hardly believe
such tale" she exclaimed. "Yet 1t
must be true, miraculous as 1t seems.
But what is to be the ending? Have
you any plan of escape?"
@Hardly a plan. l have had no op-
pOrtunity even to learn the true ma
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 / do not know how
fyy4uy-who would r,rfinv if fhpv had
81 leader and a reasonable chance of
success. 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-
veus until after they had captured
some prizes and could go with gold
thinking 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?"
Il presume I must seem to be one |
of them to avoid suspicion. Have you |
any suggestions?"
There is conspiracy on board al
ready" she said quickly, "that you may
not know about"
"You mean to depose SanchezT
Eyes; you had suspicioned it? They
thought me unconscious in the boat,
two at the stern, Estada and that
beast Manuel. I did not understand
all they said. but / do not think they
intend the captain shall recover"
you think it best that he should?"
<HOh, do not know; there is no
best that l can see. Yet would have
more faith in being spared disgrace
Il 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 l
Judge as a woman, yet l would feel
'afer with Sanchez. The other merely
ksires with the passions of brute.
No appeal would reach him; he would
augh at tears and find pleasure in
;uffering. And yet you would have
ne appear friendly with Estada?"
1--WE cannot permit him to feel that
,ither Of US are enemies. He is the
'ower aboard; our lives, everything
re 10 his hands. If he means to be r
id Of Sanchez the man is doomed, for c
'e will find a way to accomplish his '
purpose; murder means nothing to r
Esese men.'' t
s-Of course you are right" she ac- {
nowsedged. "Our case is so desper- t
t. We must resort to any weapons. r
ou believe it will serve the possibility v
t escape if Il permit this monster to +
sagfne that have some interest in
int
TO do so might delay the explo- q
lon," replied gravely, "and just now
~ delay is welcome. l doubt if even U
'etxda will resort to force on board C
decd force will be the very last card u
{ viii care to play in your case. You a
re English and all the practical sea- a
- on board are from northern Eu-
ipe English and Scandinavian. a
hese men are not pirates from choice
they are prisoners who have taken
. to save their own lives. With his o
uIiies and cutthrOats amidships he n
IN compel them to work, but he dare
n 90 too far. Once these fellows d
rite In mutiny they could take the e
- An assault on you would be e
d
n Is these men you count On7" 81
yes; but for me to gain their conf q
saee and leadership will require n
~ The slightest slip would mean r.
Hare and uaerciless punishment At b
- the situation II absolutely der 4
- bnt see no other solution" e
$50 ~ sprvice i deceit the act | n