The daily Alaskan., 1919-05-17
Yon ;I anY nian nr sschhay,

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 Hardly plan. I have had no op- portunity even to learn the true na- ture of the crew. Watkins is an hon. est sailor, and he has told me of oth. CTS on whom I could rely. There are those aboard-but l do not know how many-whO would mutiny If they had a leader and a reasonable chance of success. must reach these and learn who they are. Fortunately the voyage promises to be long enough to enable me to plan carefully"
 "You have discussed the voyage with this. man-EStada?"
 He told me what he had decided upon; not to return to their rendez- vous until after they had captured some prizes and could go with gold chinking in their pockets"
 "Where is their rendezvOus?"
 An island in the West Indies, prob- ably not on the chart. They call 1t Porto Grande."
 And they will sweep the ocean be- tween here and there seeking victims? Unarmed merchantment to rob and sink? And you-you will be compelled to take part in such scenes, such acts of pillage and perhaps murder?"
 "T presume must seem to be one of them to avoid suspicion. Have you any suggestiOns?"
 There Is conspiracy on board al- ready" she said quickly, that you may not know about"
 You mean to depOSe Sanchez"
 "Yes; you had suspiciOned it? They thought me unconscious in the boat, and talked among themselvGS-the . two at the stern, EStada and that beast Manuel. l did not understand all they said, but I do not think they intend the captain shall recover"
 You think it best that he should"
 "Oh. I do not know; there Is no best that I can see. Yet l would have more faith in being spared disgrace if at the mercy of Sanchez, than his lieutenant. Both may be equally guilty, equally desperate, but they are not the same men. l may be wrong, for l judge as woman, yet l would feel safer with Sanchez. The other merely desires with the passions of brute. 1 No appeal would reach him; he would laugh at tears and find pleasure in suffering. And yet you would have F-;N d
 "We cannot permit him to feel that either of us are enemies. He is the power aboard; our lives. everything | are in his hands. If he means to be rid of Sanchez the man is doomed, for he will find q way to accomplish his | purpose; murder means nothing to these men,
 "Of course you gre right" she ac- | kuowledgcd. "Our case is so deSper- ate we must resort to any weapons. You believe it will serve the possibility of escape if I permit this monster to imagine that 1 have some interest in | him?"
 ITO do so might delay the explo- | sion" l replied gravely, "and just now any delay Is welcome. l doubt if even EStada will resort tu force on board; ; | indeed force will be the very last card he will care to play in your case. You ] are English and all the practical sea- men on board are from northern Flu i rope - English and Scandinavian. These men are not pirates from choice ! they are prisoners who have taken 1 on to save their own lives. With his | bulIies and cutthrOats amdShips he i can compel them to work, but he dare 1 not go too far. Once these fellows unite in mutIny they could take the ship. An assault on you would be i dangerous"
 Tt is these men you count On?
 Yes; but for me to gain their Conti- ! dence and leadership will require time. The slightest slip would mean 1 failure and mercilesS punishment. At 1 best the situation is absolutely deS- perate-but 1 see DO other solution" 7" "And my service is deceit-the act
 ing of il part to blind the eyes of | Estada?"
 T sincerely believe your greater chance of security lies in this course. The fellow is supreme egOtist; Op- { position will anger him, while fiattery will make him Subservient. You have the wit and discretion to hold him ] within certain limits. It is a danger