Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-07-02
CHAPTER xI-continued.

LeVere shouted an order. and sud
den flare was lighted amidships, the
circle of flame Illuminating a part of
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 a
dim, spectral shadow, scarcely to be
ecogniZed; 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. LeVere
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. l 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 it brought; what
story it 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 Cat least | sup
posed these to be the two) were poised
at the sail halyards, ready to let the
straining 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 l felt shudder Of fear run
over memo expression on any coun-
tenance spoke of defeat; even the ugly
features of the negro beamed with de-
light.
But was that all? Was that all?
Surely not. Forward of the single
mast was slowed the chest, while in
the open space between the helmsman
and the two sailors were stretched two
motlonless bodies. LeVere. gripping a
stay-rope. and leaning well out, hailed
in Spanish.
"Ahoy, the boat You can make it?"
"Ay!" came back Estadas voice.
"Stand by to fend us off. Call all
hands. and break anchor as soon as we
are aboard"
very well, sir. Where is Captain
Sanchez?"
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
above"
stood, gripping hard at the rail,
and staring down at the scene below
as the men In the boat made fast l
felt paralyzed, and helpless, unable to
move. / had no business to remain
there; every prospect of security de
pended on my joining the crew. Yet
only one thought gripped me-Sanchez
was not dead! And that other body?
That of Dorothy Fairfax. without
doubt, yet certainly not lIfeless. II
their prisoner was the girl-and who
else could it be?-she remained alive,
helplessly bound to prevent either
struggle, or outcry, and destined to a
fate far worse than death.
My own life hung in the balance
nay fuI1eF. uy UOOIU was dlfedQy
sealed. There seemingly was but one
chance for escape left-that was to
drop silently overheard. God, no that
would be the craven act of a coward.
Better far to stay. and kill, or even be
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 it was
apparently a corpse they handled, ex-
cept for their tenderness, and a single
groan TO which the white lips gave ut
terauce. when one of the bearers
slipped, wrenching the wounded body
with sharp pang of pain. Once safe
IL on deck. the three bore him across
TO the after cabin and disappeared
down The steps