The daily Alaskan., 1919-05-15
CHAPTER xV.
The Cabin of the Namur.

 Both huge. black hands grasped the spokes, and it was evident that 1t re- quired all his giant strength to con trol the Ducking wheel. He was an ugly-looking brute, the lower portion of his face apelike and the wool grow ing so low as to leave him scarcely an inch of forehead. His eyes lifted an instant from the pinnacle card to glance at me curIously. They exhib. tied no flash of recognition.
 For half an hour EStada hunglabout aft, apparently paying no attention to me, and yet watching my movements closely. There was little to be done, but l thought it best to keep the watch reasonably busy, so they might thus learn that I knew my work. They proved prompt and capable enough, although l was eyed with some curi- osity when l first went forward, and, no doubt. was very thoroughly dis cussed behind my back. The tdlers amidships were totally different claSs-a mongrel scum, profanely chatting in Spanish or Swaggering about the deck, their very looks challenge. However, they kept out of my way, and I found no occasion to interfere with their diversions. After Estada left the deck the ma jority amused themselves gambling, and as I had received no orders to interfere I permitted the games to pro ceed. Mendez lnterfered only once on occasion of brief fight. My only instructions from the Portuguese on his going below was to call him at once If sail was sighted. Apparent ly he was satisfied of my ability to command the deck.
 No occasion to call him arose dur ing my watch. It was still daylight, but with a purple gleam across the I waters. when LeVere arrived on deck for my relief. We were talking to- | gether abaft the wheel when EStada appeared in the companionway.
 Every promise of clear night he i said, gancing about at the horizon. Better change the course two points, LeYere; We are lying in too close to the coast for our purpose, The table call will come very shortly, senor Gates"
 l washed up hastily in my state room and came out into the cabin perplexed as to what might occur within the next few moments. Yet whatever the result there was no avoiding 1t. My every move was one of extreme caution.
 EStada and EStevan awaited me. The latter was all rigged out, and with smooth black hair oiled and plaStered down upon his forehead. l never be. held d more disagreeable face, or one 1 which so thoroughly revealed the na- ture of man. As touched hls hand, at EStada's brief introduction, it was as If I fingered a snake.
 This is your chair, Gates, ana you will find We live well aboard the Na- mur-wlne, women and sOng-hey, Manuel Why not, when all are at command? Steward, you told the lady what my orders were. Then bid her join us"
 1 We stood in silence, as Gunsaules | crossed the deck and inserted a key in the after stateroom door. Manuel was grinning in full enjoyment, but 1 the expression on the face of EStada was that of grim cruelty. l felt my hands grip like iron on my chair back ! and my teeth -clinCh in restraint. God, but I would have liked to grip the fel- ] 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 I 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 in advance of the steward, her head upllfted proudly, her eyes on us. Never before had I realized her beau
 
 ty, her personality, as I did then. Her posture was not that of defiance nor of surrender; she stood as a woman defending her right to respect, suS- tained by wonderful courage. l caught her glance but there was DO recognition in it; not by the flicker of an eyelid did she betray surprise, and yet in some mysterious manner a flash of intelligence passed between us. It was all instantaneous, for her gaze seemed to concentrate on Estada as though she knew him as leader.
 You sent for me? For whatT" she asked, her Spanish clear and well chosen.
 ''To join us at meal" he answered unmoved. Tt is better than to remain alone"
 Better! You must have strange -