The Lamar register., 1919-04-16

| command of captain whom they DOth
hated and feared-a cruel, cold-blood-
ed monster, yet genius in crime, ana
u natural leader Of such men as these.
Black Sanchez! / listened to their
comments. their expectations, with
swiftly beating heart. l alone knew
what that boat was bringing. What
would be the result when the dead
body of their leader came up over the
rail7
Levere shouted an order and sud-
den flare was lighted amidships. the
circle of fame Illuminating part or
the deck. and spreading out over the
wild expanse of water. Scarcely had
a minute elapsed before It came sweep
ing into the radius OF light-at first
dim, spectral shadow, scarcely 10 De
recognized; then, almost as suddenly,
revealed In all Its details-a boat OF
size. flying toward us under lug sail,
keeling well over. and topping the sea
swells like a bird on wing. LeVera
called for men to stand by. the fellows
rushing past me to their stations. but,
In the fascination of the moment. L
failed to move. could do nothing but
stare out across the intervening wa
ter, with eyes fastened on that swiftly
approaching boat. / must see, / must
know the message 1t brought; what
story il held of the tragedy. Manuel
held the tiller with Estada seated be-
side him. leaning forward, and ges-
ticulating with one hand. as he direct
ed the course. ! had never seen these
two, yet knew them beyond doubt.
Mendez and Anderson tat least l sup
posed these to be the two) were poised
AT the sail halynrds, ready TO let the
stralning sheet down at run. while
Cochose crouched low in the bow. his
black hand uplifted, gripping coil OF
rope. Their faces were all turned for
ward. lighted by the flare from our
deck, and / felt n shudder of fear run
over me-no expression ON any coun-
tenance spoke of defeat; even the ugly
features Of the negro beamed with de-
light.
But was that all7 Was that all2
Surely not. Forward OF the single
mast was slowed the chest, while in
and the two sailors were stretched two
motionless bodies. LeVere, gripping
stay.rope, and leaning well out, hailed
in Spanish.
"Ahoy, the boat You can make it?'
"Ay" came back Estada's voice.
"Stand by to fend us on. Call all
hands, and break anchor as soon as we
are aboard"
"very well. sir. Where is Captain
Sanchezf"
Estada pointed downward In swift.
expressive gesture.
Here at my feet-badly hurt. but
Will recover. Send two men down to
help when we make fast. Now. Co
chose-let go of your rope; watch out
tbovei''
stood. gripping hard at the rail,
and staring down at the scene below.
as the men in the boat made fast.
felt paralyzed, and helpless. unable 10
move. ! had no business to remain
there; every prospect of security de
pended on my joining the crew. Yet
,nly one thought gripped me-Sanchez
was not dead And that other body?
rhnt of Dorothy Fairfax. without
loubt, yet certainly not lifeless. II
,heir prisoner was the girl-and who
Else could II be?--she remained alive.
helplessly bound to prevent either
struggle. or outcry. and destined 10
late far worse than death.
My own life hung In the balance
iay. rather, my doom was already
.enled. There seemingly was but one
nance for escape left--that WIS to
drop silently overheard. God. nOi ihai
you'd be the craven act OF a coward.
Better fur to stay. and kill, or even he
killed. than to be forever cursed by
my own conscience.
The fellows sent down from the
main chains TO the boat brought the
injured captain up first. This required
the services of three men. his body
hanging limp between them. his up
turned face showing CHASTITY In the
flaming of the torch thrust out over
the rail. To every appearance 1t was
apparently a corpse they handled. e1-
cept for their tenderness, and a single
gronn TO which the white lips gave ut
terance, when one of the bearers
slipped, wrenching the wounded body
with sharp pang Of pain. Once safe
ly on deck, the three bore him across
TO the after cabin and disappeared
down the steps.
Estada had already swung himself