The Red Cloud chief., 1919-08-28
CHAPTER XXI.
The Crew Decides.

mdlnpu hTIneu tncTp was no SUSE'Sllou
Of violence. But for the cleaning chr
ronade trained on the main hatch. and
the small group of gunners clustered
about II, the scene was pcaceable
enough, resembling the deck of some
merchant ship. Levere stood notion
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 excitcdly discussing
the situation.
"StaDd by TO reef topsails," / shout
ed. "We're all ono watch now. Go at
owe Wen eat, and decide together
what's our next move Two of you
will be enough to guard the hatch and
one of you go into the cabin and re-
lieve the girl there. Keep your eyes
open. I'll be down presently. Aloft
with you and see how quick IA 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. | 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 l 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, "and 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
LeVereT"
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 n lie?"
mot necessarily" and I smiled
grimly. although I 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.
llsh and French. All they want is TO
get away; they will never 90 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 IL I had supposed you meant
to play into the hands of the men,"
1T is very little part you took Senior
LeVere. judging from what l saw. You
seemed quite content to stand aft here
and look on. However you are In II
just as deeply as I am. and are going
to play the game out with me TO the
end. Do you understand that?"
What you mean. senor-play II
out2"
go on with the rest Of us; take
your chance with the men and do your
duty. i am captain here. The first
sign OF treachery on your part will
SEND you below with those others. !
don't trust you, and all I want Is an
excuse to put you out OF the way-so
be careful what you do"
turned and walked away from him
toward the forward rail. The men
were still aloft hut 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 thereP" 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, squatting in groups
on the deck. To all appearances the
fellows had not a care in the world
or any thought Of the stirring scenes
just passed through. The girls hand
touched my sleeve. and / turned and
looked into her face.
"Have you considered Captain San.
chez?' she asked.
"Why no." in surprise. "he is help.
less below, badly wounded"
"Not so badly as you suppose" oh,
said swiftly. "He is able to be I'D anC
about his stateroom. heard hin
moving, and / believe the steward ha,
told him what has occurred on board
and e~ndeavored TO bear a messag,
from him to those men amldships.
held my pistol 10 his head and locke,
him In the pantry. He is there now
with the sailor you sent on guard
That is what ! came on deck to tel