St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1919-07-26

tThaLS one TO-, L SalQ
| shortly. "Now is there any more of
you who.would like to fight this out?'
There was no answer although the
ring widened under the threat of my
eyes, and | met sullen faces here and
there. | was in no mood to take
chances.
Carlson" I said, 'you know all
these men. Pick out those you can
trust, and have them stand over there
to the right. Call them out by name
be lively now"
They stepped forth eagerly enough,
and ranged themselves before the
hunks, the faces mostly those of north
ern Europe, although a negro or two
was among them. AS the Swede
ceased calling, six or seven yet re
NAMED clustered in front of me, a
motley lot, one of them an Indian, the
others mostly half-breeds. I glanced
from face to face inquiringly.
"How about it, your" ! asked. "Are
there any more Of you fellows who
take a chance with US? This is my
last offer"
"What's the gamer" asked a sullen
voice in English, and a bearded fellow,
burned black, pushed his way to the
front. 81 used ter be Scotch; now !
don't know what ! am. One flag is
as good as another ter me-only /
want to know what sorter game I'm
playin' in. Who are yer? An wizard
yer cum trump
ST am an English seaman" I an
swered shortly, "and how I came
aboard makes no difference. Right
now I am the only navigator on the
Namur. Estada is dead-knifed last
night by one of the buccaneers. Man
uel Estevan had a hand in the busl-
ness, and he's safely locked in a state
room aft. Captain Sanchez is wound
ed and helpless, and those cu~t-throats
amidships are battened down below
matches. LeVere and l are the officers
left, and we control the deck"
"Yer mean those fellers were Amin
ter take the ship?"
Exactly that; now where are you
lads? With Manuel and his bunch of
pirates? Or with us?"
"What err yer going ter do with us,
an this ship? That's the fu'st Ques-
tion.''
I had not decided that even in my
own mind, but the nsWer came
promptly enough.
at am going to leave that to the crew.
AS soon as we have all secure, I'll
have every man on deck, and then
we'll talk it over. That's fair enough
isn't it,"
ut looks fair. Come on, mates; I'm
fer the Englishman."
Only one followed him, however, a
sheep-faced boy; the others remained
sullen and defiant. / had no further
time to waste in explanations. /
glanced up at Carriers face framed in
the scuttte hole.
Garter, pass these men DIP and take
them forward with the others. Turn
them over to Watkins. Then come
back here, and report to me-"
They went up the ladder one by
one, and disappeared onto the deck
above. Carlson and 1 watched the
others until Carter stuck his head
once again through the opening.
"A1l safe, sir-they a like lambs"
"very well; stand by to help. Now
you lads, lift this black and shove him
up to where they can get hold above"
They hoisted the unconscious form
up the ladder and forced it through
the hole onto the deck. At my stern
command they cr2wled forth into the
sunlight. There they picked up Co
chose and carried him aft.
I went to the main hatch, and had
the cover slipped to n side, the
armed sailors gathering close about
the edge, as I peered down. It was a
scene of pandemonium, revealed in the
yellow fame of slush lanterns, a group
of white faces showing clearly, as the
prisoners below struggled forward,
g~esticulating and shouting. Ignoring
their mad roaring, and the threat of
leveled guns, / stared down at the in
furiated faces, until the clamor ceased
sufficiently to let my voice be heard.
.What are you men trying to do,
brighten me? You might as well stop
that. This opening is lined with guns,
and if n of you fire a shot Wen pour
lead into you. More than that if you
attempt to climb out there is a brass
carronade trained on the hatch. So
listen! We are in control of the ship
and mean to keep it. The old officers
are either dead or prisoners. What we
do with you will depend on your &C.
tions, but we're ready to kill if neces.
sary. If you keep quiet down there,
and obey orders, you'll be fed, and
treated decently enough. Pass up your
arms"
There was no movement, only a.
glare of hostile eyes, an Hindiseinguish.
able growl of voices.
''Kneel down, lads and cover those
fellows" / ordered sternly drawing my
own pistol. Nov you below there
this is my last word. TIL count ten,
and you'll either pass up those weapons
or Wen pour our fire into you. Take
aim, boys"
There was a moment of deathly 81
lence, except for my counting. One
man uttered a curse, and the jam of
figures at the foot Of the ladder en-
deaVored to work back out of range,
yet, before / had spoken the word
eight, guns were held aloft, and poked
up within reach, and at this sign of
surrender ven the most desperate lost !,
heart and Joined the more cowardly.