Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-09-03
CHAPTER XXI.
The Crew Decides.

Except tDaC many or the men re-
manned armed there was no suggestion
of violence. But for the cleaning car
ronade trained on the main hatch, and
the small group of gunners clustered
about it, the scene was peaceable
enough. resembling the deck of some
merchant ship. LeVere stood motion
less at the poop rail. staring down and
his attitude and expression of face
aroused within me a doubt of the man.
a determination to put him to the test.
Evidently he had held aloof and re
Trained from taking even the slightest
part in our activities. The men them
selves were mostly forward, grouped
together and still excitedly discussing
the situation.
"Stand by to reef topsails," shout
ed. "We're all one watch now. Go at
il lively, lads, and when the job is
over Wen eat, and decide together
what's our next move. Two of. you
viii be enough to guard the hatch and
one of you go into the cabin and re-
lieye the girl there. Keep your eyes
open. I'll be down presently. Aloft
with you and see how quick Job you
can make of it,
Watkins led the way up the main
mast ratlines, and Cole was first into
the fore shrouds, the others following
eagerly. l watched them lay out on
the yards and was heartened to hear
the fellows sing as they worked, the
canvas melting away as If by magic. /
climbed the ladder to where LeVere
stood on the poop, but carefully
ignored his presence, my gaze on the
scene aloft. Twice gave orders,
changing the steering direction slight
ly, and commanding the lower sails
reefed. The mulatto scowling, Joined
me at the rail.
whats all this about?" he asked.
"That's no storm cloud yonder"
There is always danger in fog"
answered coldly, land besides there is
no use carrying on until we know
where we are bound. My purpose is
to keep the men busy, and then talk
the situation over with them. Have
you any criticism of this plan, Senior
LeVere?"
He hesitated. but his eyes were mar
rowed, and ugly.
You'll do as you please, but you
told me we sailed for Porto Grande.
Was that a lie?"
'Not necessarily" and l smiled
grimly. Although l should not have
hesitated to tell one under the circum-
stances. i mean to leave that decision
to the men themselves. 1t is their
lives that are in danger"
"That scum half of them are Eng
fish and French. All they want is to
get away; they will never go back to
Porto Grande without you make
them"
How make them?"
''By false observations; there is no
navigator forward. 1t is a trick easy
enough to play with a little nerve.
would never have taken part in this
mutiny if 1 had supposed you meant
TO play into the hands of the men"
ut is very little part you took Senior
LeVere. judging from what 1 saw. You
seemed quite content to stand aft here
and look on. However you are in it
just as deeply as / am, and are going
to play the game out with me to the
end. Do You understand that?"
What you mean, senor-play 1t
out?"
go on with the rest of us; take
your chance with the men and do YOUR
duty. l am captain here. The first
sign of treachery on your part will
send you below with those others. /
don't trust you, and all l want is an
excuse to put you. out of the way-so
be careful what you do"
l turned and walked away from him
toward the forward rail. The men
were still aloft but coming in from off
the yards. Below me In the door of
the companion, stood Dorothy. her
eyes peering curiOusly about the de-
serted deck. She glanced up and saw
me.
May come up there?" she asked.
Certainly; let me help you. Stand
here beside me. and you can see all
that is being done. That's all. lads
breakfast is ready; lay down all ex,
cept the lookout"
We watched while they streamed
down the ratlines and gathered for.
ward of the galley, sq1atting in groups
on the deck. To all appearances the
fellows had not care In the world
or any thought of the stirring scenes
just passed through. The girls hand
touched my sleeve. and l turned and
looked into her face.
Have you considered Captain Sam
chez?" she asked.
"Why no." in surprise, "he is help
less below, badly wounded"
"Not so badly as you suppose" she
said swiftly. HE is able to be up and
about his stateroom. l heard him
moving, and believe the steward has
told him what has occurred on board
and endeavored to bear n MESA pe
from him to those men amidships
held my pistol to his head and locked
him in the pantry. He is there now
with the sailor you sent on guard
That is what came on deck to tell
you"
He Is danger. of course, but not a
serious one" l said confidently. at
is safe enough to leave him undis-
turbed at present. The first thing I
need to do is to satisfy those men. IN
attend to that now, and then see to
the proper securing of Sanchez. Re-
main here with IpVera rrhiln % g..