The Taney County republican., 1919-10-02
cHAS
The Crew Decides.

Except that many Of the men re-
o manned armed there was no suggestion
of violence But for the cleaning ca.-
ronade trained on the main hatch, and
the small group of gunncrs clustered
about ii, the scene was pe0ceable
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 q 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 excltedly discussing
the situation.
"Stand by to reef topsails," I shout
cd. "We're all one watch now. Go at
it lively, lads, and when the Job is
over 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.
llcye 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 ratiines. and Cole was first into
the fore shrouds, the others following
eagerly, l watched them lay ont on
the yards and was heartened to hear
the fellows sing as they worked, the
canvas melting away as If by magic. I
climbed the ladder to where LeVere
stood on the poop but carefully
ignored his presence, my gaze on the
scene aloft. Twice I gave orders,
changing the steering direction slight,
ly, and commanding the lower sails
recfed The mul0tto scowling, Joined
me at the rail.
whats all this abOutf" he asked,
"That'S no storm cloud yonder.n
"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, Senor
LeYereP
lie hesltated, but his eyes were mar,
rOwed, an0 ugly,
You'll DO as you please, but you
told me we sailed for Porto Graude.
Was that q lic?
Not necessarily" and | smiled
rrimly. although / should not have
hesitated to tell one under the circum-
stances. l mean to leave that decision
to The men themselves. 1t IS their
lives that are in danger
"That scum half of them are Eng.
lish and French, All they want Is to
get away; they will never 90 back to
Porto Grande without you make
them"
"How make themT
"By false observations; there is no
navigator forward 1t Is a trick easy
enough to play with little nerve.
would never have taken part in this
mutlny If l had supposed you meant
to play into the hands Of the men"
at IS very little part you took Seuor
LeVere judging from what 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 ont With me to the
end DO YOU understand tbot?o
'What you mean, Seuor--play It
outT
go on with the rest Of Us; take
your chance with the men and do your
duty. am captain here, The first
sign Of treachery on your part will
send you below with those others. [
don't trust you and all want is IN
excuse to put YOU out Of the way--sg
be careful what you do"
/ turned aud walked away from him
toward the forward rail- The men
were still aIoft but coming in from of
the yards Below me in the door Of
the companion, stood Dorothy, her
eyes peerlng curiously about the de-
serted deck. She glanced up and saw
me.
May I come up thereT 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 oil ex.
cept the lookout"
We watched while they stfgsmed
down the ratiinps and gathered for
ward Of the galley squ.tling In groups
on tho deck. To all Appearances The
fellows had not d care In the world,
or any thought Of the stirring scenes
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