Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-04-16
die; that amt no nice thing to remem-

Der.
''But how did you come into it,"
Like most of the rest. l was Sec
ond mate of the Ranger, a Glasgow
brig. These fellows overhauled us at
daybreak about a hundred miles off
the east end Of Cuba. Our skipper was
Scotch, and he put up some fight, but
it wasn't any use. There was only
three of us left alive wi en- the pirates
came aboard. One of these died two
days later, and another was washed
overheard and drowned down in the
Gulf. / am all that is left of the
Ranger"
''You saved your life by taking on?'
sanchez had the two of us, who
were able to stand, back in his cabin.
He put it to us straight. He said it
was up to us whether we signed up or
walked the plank; and he didn't ap-
pear to care a damn which we chose. -
"And you say others of this crew
have been obtained in the same man
nerY 1 questioned, deeply interested,
and perceiving in this a ray of hope.
"Not exactly-no, I wouldn't pre-
cisely say that. It's true, perhaps,
that most of the Britishers were forced
to join in about the same way l was,
and there may be a Scandinavian or
in that list; but the most are pirates
from choice. It's their trade, and they
like it. Sanchez only aims to keep
hold of few good men, because he
has got to have sailors; but most of
his crew are nothing but plain cut
throats. Indians and half-breeds, mig
gers, creoles, Portuguese, Spanish, and
every mongrel you ever heard of. San
chez himself is half French. The hell
hound who kicked you is a Portu-
guese, and LeVere is more niger than
anything else. I'll bet there is hun
dred rats on board this Namur right
now who'd cut your throat for SOW
ereign, and never so much as think of
1t again."
"a hundred? Is there that many
aboard?'
"a hundred an thirty all told. Most
o. 'em bunk amidships. They're not
sailormen, but just cut-throats, an sea
wolves. Yer ought ter see 'em swarm
out on deck, like hungry rats, when
thar's a fight comm It's all they're
good fer"
"Watkins," / said sOberly, after a
pause during which he spat on the
dirty deck to thus better express his
feelings, "do you mean to say that in
three years you've had no chance to
escape? No opportunity to get away?'
"Not a chance, mate; no more will
you. know what yer thinkin' bout.
had them notions too when I fust
come aboard-gettin' all the decent
sort tergether, and takin' the vessel
'Twon't work; thar amt 'nough who
wud risk it, and if thar wus, yer
couldn't get 'em tergether. Sanchez is
too Damn smart fer tibet. Every damn
rat is a spy. amt he'd no such talk
as this afore in six months, Gates; the
last time cost me twenty lashes at the
mast-butt. What'd yer have in yer
mind, mater"
"Only this, Watkins. I've got to do
something, and believe can trust you
its not my life I'm thinking about
but that of a woman"
"a woman! Not he one brought
aboard last nighr?"
Exactly; now listen-rm going to
tell you my story, and ask your help
My name is not Gates, and am not
the man Mendez brought aboard drunk
and who was thrown over the rail by
LeVere. That fellow was drowned.
am Geoffry Carlyle, an English skip.
per-"
Thereupon / told him my story in
detail. Then I said:
81 have no plan; to become mem.
Der of the crew was my only thought
But must act, if at all, before the
captain RECEIVERS. He would recognize
me at sight. You will aid, advise
me?"
"That is easier to ask than answer,
mate" he admitted finally. 81 am an
English seaman, and will do my duty,
but, so far as can see, there is no
plan we can make. 1t is God who will
save the girl, if she is to be saved. He
may use US to that end, but it is
wholly beyond our power to accom-
plish it alone. The only thing can
do is to sound out the men aboard, and
learn just what we can expect of them
If any opportunity to act comes. There
are not more than dozen at most to
be relied upon. Play your part, and
keep quiet. If you can let her know
of your presence aboard it might be
best-for if she saw you suddenly, IN
prepared, she might say or do some
thing to betray you. There are other
reasons why it may be best for her to
know she is not entirely deserted"
He leaned over, motioning me
toward him, until his lips were at my
ear.
0Tt nav nat rr0vn aS homeless aS II