Connecticut western news., 1919-07-03
CHAPTER xxxI.
The Boat Attack.

The Boat Attack.
 He waited for us just without the companion, but my eyes caught noth- ing unusual as emerged into the daylight. could barely see amidships, and on either side hung the impene- trable bank of cloud, leaving sea and sky invisible.
 'What is it, Watkins? Where are the men?'
 ''Forrard, sir, a-hangin' over the star board rail. Thar's somethin' cursedly strange a-happenin' in that fog. Ole was the first ter hear the clatter ov en oar slippin' in a rowlock. Then, sir, while we wus a-listenfn' we both caught sound ov Spanish oath, spoke as plain as if the buck was aboard"
 "A lost boat, likely-shipwrecked sailors adrift in the fog; perhaps our other quarterboat. No one hailed them?"
 "No, sir; I told the men ter keep still till I called you.'
 The crew were all gathered at the rail, staring out into the mist, whis- pering to each other. I pressed my way I among them. We may have oeen clinging there minute of two, breathlessly listening. Then voice spoke directly in front of me out from the dense fog.
 '1Try tie port oar, Pedro; we must have missed the d--n ship"
 strengthened up as though struck, my eyes seeking those of Watkins, who stared sack at me, his mouth wide open in astonishment.
 - "You heard that?" I whispered. Do you know who spoke"
 Do I? Dead or alive, sir, 1t was Manuel Estevan."
 "Ay; no other, and alive enough, no doubt. Lads, come close to me and lsten-they must not hear us out there. By some devils trick the Ma mur has followed our course, or else wonder are part of his crew cast away. They clearly know of us-per- haps had glimpse through some rift In the cloud-and are seeking to board with a boat party. Iris not like ly those devils know who we are; probably take us for merchant ship becalmed in the fog and liable to be- come an easy prey, if they can only, slip on us unseen. How are you, bull lies? Ready to battle your old matesT
 "Those were no mates O ours, sir" said Watkins indignantly. '"They are half-breed mongrels, and no sailors; Estevan is hell-hound, an so far as my voice goes, I'd rather die on this deck than ever agin be bloody pirate. It that the right words, lads?"
 The others grumbled assent, but their muttered words had in them a ring of sincerity, and their faces ex- hibited no cowardice. One only asked a question. .. ..-.-# .
 "Im fer fightin', sir," he said grim ly, "but what'n we use? Them lads ain't comin' aboard bare-handed, but damn if I've seed a weapon on this hooker" #
 "Dar's three knives, an a meat cleaver in der galley, sah," chimed in Sam. s- .. .t#
 5 Well do we'll enough; some of you have your sheath knives yet, and the rest can use belaying pins and capstan bars. The point is to not let them get aboard, and, if there is only one boat we will be pretty even-handed. Pick up what you can, and man this rail- quietly now, hearties, and keep your eyes open.s .a s-.-. ........
 It proved longer wait than I ex- pected. Unable to withstand the in- action any longer I turned and took few steps aft, thinking to gauge our progress by the wake astern. I was abaft the cabin on the port side when Dorothy called my name-a sudden ac- cent of terror in her voice. ~-.-4Ii
 The alarm was sounded none too soon. Either fortune, or skill, had served those demons we'll. They had succeeded in circiing the stern of the Santa Marie, unseen and unheard by anyone aboard. Even as she shrieked the alarm, hand was at her throat, and she was struggling desperately in the merciless grip of half-naked h.