The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-03
CONTINUED From Previous Issue,
CHAPTER XVI.
IN porothY,s stateroom.

hoard the sound of dishes grinding to-
gether preparatory to being washed.
No better opportunity for action was
likely 10 occur, although the situation
was not without peril. ! crept along
close To the side walls, lifted the latch
poiselessIy, and slipped quickly within
There was no light, except glimmer
of stars through a large after port
but against this faint radiance she
stood vaguely revealed. Her first
thought must have been Estada, for
there was a startled note in her chal-
lenge.
"Who are you? Why do you come
hereT"
speak low" / cautioned. "You
must know my voice"
~Geoffry Carlylel"
"Yes. but do not use that name-aIl
hope depends on my remaining I'M
known. You welcome met"
She came straight forward through
the dim star shine, spectral figure,
with both hands outstretched.
welcome - her tone that of intense
sincerity. "Your presence gives me
all the strength / have. But for you
should throw myself through that
port into the sea. But know not
how you came here-tell me, you are
not one of these wretches?"
mo; you must believe that first of
all, and trust me-"
II do--but--but tell me all you can"
SIS there divan here, or anywhere
we can sit down together? ! can see
nothing In this darkness"
Eyes; hold my hand while | guide
you; we can sit here"
1t was q couch Of some kind against
the outer wall. She did not release
her grasp, seemingly gaining courage
from this physical contact, and my fin
gers closed warmly over her own"
NOW. please" breathlessly, show Is
il possible you are aboard this yes
sel--an officer?"
/ told her the strange story. as
swiftly and simply as possible. speak
ing scarcely above a whisper, feeling
as progressed that related a dream
rather than series of facts. II
seemed to me she could scarcely be ex-
pected to believe the truth of what
said and yet she did, almost unques-
tioningly, the clasp of her fingers per
ceptibly tightening as i proceeded.
She sat so close beside me that I
could feel her breath upon my cheek.
''Why Tiff you had not told me
this yourself l could hardly believe
such a tale,Y she exclaimed. "Yet 1t
must be true. miraculous as 1t seems.
But what is TO be the ending? Have
you any plan of escape?"
Hardly plan. l have had no OPP
portunity even to learn the true ma
ture OF the crew. Watkins is an hon
est sailor, and he mas told me Of 9TH
ers on whom could rely. There are
those aboard-but | do not know how
many-who would mutiny II they had
a leader and 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-Estada2
"He told me what he had decided
upon; not TO return to their ren6ez-
vous until after they had captured
some prizes and could go with gold
chinking in their pockets"
Where is their rendezvous?"
IAN island In the West Indies, prob
ably not on the chart. They call 1t
Porto Grande."
sand they will sweep the ocean be-
tween here and there seeking victims ?
Unarmed merchantmen to rob and
sink2 And you-you will be compelled
to take part in such scenes. such acts
OF pillage and perhaps murder?"
Il 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 1T? They
thought me unconscious IN the boat,
and talked among themselves-the
TWO at the stern, Estada and that
beast Manuel. / did not understand
all they said. but l do not think they
intend the captain shall recover"
You think II best that he should?''
oh, / do not know; there is no
best that can see. Yet / would have
more faith 10 being spared disgrace
II 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 |
Judge as woman, yet i would feel
SAFER with Sanchez. The other merely
desires with the passions OF brute.
no appeal would reach him: he would
laugh at tears and find pleasure in
suffering. And yet you would have
me appear friendly with Estada2'
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
ne viii find a way to accomplish his