The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-24


 of Manuel there was little danger of their taking such action. every well, steward" I said. "You go on about your work as though noth- ing had happened. If any word of this affair gets to the crew, or to those fel- lows forward, I'll hold you responsi- ble. You are not to leave this cabin without my permission, nor speak to anyone. IeVere."
 The mulatto faced me respectfully enough, and had a feeling he would obey orders, largely because he dare not rebel.
 ''They will be wondering why you are not on deck. It will be better for you to take charge of the watch at once, and keep the men busy. Relieve Watkins at the wheel and send 'the man down to me. He can choose the fellows who will stick better than you could, and then can circulate among them without arousing suspicion"
 Watkins soon shufied down the steps. He whipped of his cap and stood waiting.
 l put my hand on his shoulder. ''Tom," l said soberly, Eve are in the same boat, and understand each other. The chance has come for both of us, if we play the cards right. Listen while I tell you the situation, and what I plan doing"
 l told it briefly, wasting no words, yet relating every fact. He listened eagerly, but without interruption un- til the end.
 What do you make of it?' I asked.
 About what you do, sir. I knew there was something of the kind going On-some of the men forward are in on it. You've got the ring-leader."
 Manuel, you mean. Who did he count on for help in the forecastIe?'
 'Cochose, and a handful of others, niggers and Spaniards, mostly. They meant to pull the affair off either to- day or tonight. Your plan gives us a fair chance, sir. A dozen good men on deck might do the business"
 But are there a dozen aboard to be trusted?"
 "WeII, yes sir. I rather think there are. I'd say that in both watches there's maybe fourteen to be relied on."
 Tn my watch there's Jones, Har- wood and Simms, either English or Welsh. They're all right. Then there's a nigger named Sam; Schmitt, a Dutchman, with his partner, whose name I don't know, and two Frenchies, RaveI and Pierre. That makes eight, nine counting myself. Then in the ct Tha -v-I +,1, 5oIz ter and Joe Cole, two Swedes, Carl son and Ole Hallin, and another nfg- ger. Then there are couple of Films who ought to be with us, but I can't talk their lingo. That would give US sixteen out of thirty, and it's quite likely some of the others would take a hand with us, if they thought it was safe. I haven't any use though, sir, for Francois LeVere. There ain't worse scamp aboard"
 q know that" I admitted, ''but he had to be used.'
 And what is my part now?"
 '"This is my watch below, and it will be best for me to keep off the deck until all is prepared. You sound these men and get them together; wake up the ones in the starboard watch you feel sure are all right, and have them slip quietly on deck. Then we'll get these arms in the rack here, and be ready for business-the rest will be done in a hurry. I'll wait here for your report.''
 At the very best Watkins could scarcely perform the task assigned him In less than an hour. The success or failure of our effort depended en- tirely upon taking these fellows by complete surprise. If it came to an open fight our cause was hopeless, for that would mean fourteen or fifteen men unRrmed, pitted against over a hundred thoroughly equipped and trained fighters. Only by conffning them below, with matches battened down, and a carronade trained upon them, would we be safe.
 I sat where I could watch the stairs, and the entire forward part of the cabin. Gunsaules lowered the table, and began preparing the morning meal. Finally he announced break fast
 Suppose you rap on the lady's door wonder, and ask if' she will join me. Say your message is from Senor Gates"
 (Continued Tomorrow.)