Connecticut western news., 1919-06-05

wood, SenOr LeVere, and myself, we'll total twenty-one in this shindy. Now I'll tell you what is up. Watkins gave | you some of it no doubt, but a word from me will make it clearer. I'm no pirate; I'm an English sailor, shang- hied. Estada named me first officer | because I understand navigation"
 I stopped speaking, staring at one of the faces before me; all at once it appeared familiar "What is your | name, my man."
 "Jim Carter, sir"
 "You were on the Siabad three years ago?"
 q was that, Mister Carlyle" he an Ewered grinning. q know'd you the | minute I cum down yere."
 'Then that is all need say on that tine. Here's one of your mates, lads, ! who will vouch for me. Now, as I've , been told, you are all of you in the same .boat-you are prisoners on | board. Luck has given us a chance to make break, and get away. Captain Sanchez is wounded and helpless. Pedro Estada is dead, and I've got Manuel locked in that stateroom. His | cut-throats are all below, and now all we've got to do is clap on the hatch and keep them there. Now, what want to know is are you fellows with meY
 Watkins answered up promptly 1; then Carter; the others joining in with less heartinesS, the different accents revealing their nationalities. I knew sailors we'll enough to feel assured they would follow their leaders once the game started.
 'That's good enough; now we've got to hit hard and quick, lads. There are six men on deck who are not with us. Watkins will take care of them with those fellows I don't assign to other work. Jones, you and Carter make straight for the forecastle and don't let anyone come up the scuttle. One of you had better drop down below. and> prevent any of those lads from unbarring the door leading amidships. Who is the best for that job?"
 "Let Carlson do it."
 "All right-Carlson 1t Is then. You Frenchmen, and the two negroes, your part will be to ship the main hatch. Do a quick job, and clamp 1t down tight"
 F "pll come down to you Carlson, as soon as we have the deck. It ought not to take more than five minutes to handle those lads, and slew around carronade. Watkins, you and Carter hand out the cutlasses from the rack; you boys will handle those better than firearms. Good; now are you all ready?"
 There was a low murmur of voices, the faces watching me showing their increasing excitement and eagerness. Our little talk had served to arouse their confidence in my leadership, and with gleaming weapons in their hands they became self-reliant volunteers. Once turned loose my greatest diff culty might be to restrain them, rather than urge them on. Revenge for past wrongs was in each heart, and they welcomed a chance to strike.
 I whispered a parting word of ad- monition into the ear of Dorothy, re- ceiving in return a glance from her eyes, which gave a new throb to my heart; then strengthened up, and pis- tol in hand, pushed my way through the throng of sailors to the foot of the stairs.
 ''Follow me, lads," said quietly.
 We emerged through the companion, and I stepped aside as the others rushed by. There was no shout, no cheer, the fellows seeming to realize the desperate nature of their work, and the importance of surprise. They were outnumbered five to one, and their only hope of success lay in ren- dering their opponents helpless before they could rally to a defense. All the pent-up hate of years was in their hearts, blazed madly in their eyes; they were tigers leaping at the throat of their prey, yet sane enough to con- prehend even in their blood-rage that they must act together. It was over so quickly I scarcely saw it all. My eyes swept from group to group-the four toiling at the cover of the main hatch; the fellows racing toward the forecastle; and Watkins squad driv- ing straight into the grouped watch beyond the foremast. It was smartly done; Watkins had taken no cutlass, but went in with both fists, asking no questions, but battering right and left, his men surging after, with steel blades flaming in the sunlight. The astounded watch, cursing and fighting grimly, held for moment, and then went staggering back against the port rail, unable to stem the rush, and roar ing for mercy. I had view of Carlson dropping recklessly down the forecas- tie scuttle, and then .sprang forward myself ter give a hand to the, four wrestling with the main hatch < To-