The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1919-05-14

III tell you what is up. Watkins gave
you some of it no doubt, but word
from me will make II clearer. I'm no
pirate; I'm an English sailor, shang
hied. Estada named me first officer
because l understand navigation"
1 stopped speaking. staring at one
OF the faces before me; all at once II
appeared familiar. what is your
name. my manT'
"Jin. Carter sir"
'You were on The Sinbad. three
years ago."
81 was that. Mister Carlyle" he an
swered grinning. 81 bIiow'd you the
minute cum down yrre.
"Then that is all ! need say on thar
tine. Here's one of your mates lads,
who VIII vouch Tor 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 chance TO
make II break. and get away. Captain
Sanchez is wounded and helpless.
Pedro Estada Is dead, and I've got
Manuel locked in that stateroOm. His
cutthroats are all below, and now all
we've got TO do Is clap on the hatch
md keep them there. Now. what |
want TO know is are You fellows with
mef
Watkins answered up promptly;
then Carter; the others Joining in with
less heartlness, the different accents
revealing their natiolalitles. l knew
sailors well 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 tn'.e care of them with
those fellows l 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
'uf you had better drop down below.
and prevent any OF those lads from
unbarring the door leading amldshIps
Who is the best for that Jobf"
Let Carlson do IT,"
"All right-carlson II Is then. You
Frenchmen, and the two negroes. your
part will he To ship the main hatch.
DO IA quick job. and clamp II down
tight"
"I'll come down to you Carlson. as
soon as we have the deck. 1t ought
not to take more than five minutes to
handle those lads. and slew around
cnrronade. Watkins. you and Carter
hand out the cutlasses from the rack
you boys Will handle those better than
firearms. Good; now are you all
-eadyf'
There was low murInur OF voices.
the faces watching Ee showing their
increasing excitement and eagerness.
Our little talk had served to arouse
their confidence la my leadership. and
with cleaning weapons In theIr hands
they became self-reliant volunteers.
Once turned loose my greatest diff
Guilty might be TO restrain them rather
than urge them On. Revenge for past
wrongs was la each heart, and they
welcomed chance TO strike.
whispered parting word OF ad-
monitiOn into the ear of Dorothy. re
seiying la return II glance from her
eyes. which gave new throb to my
heart; then Strengthened up, and pis-
toll Ia 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 | 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. aud
their only hope of success lay In rem
dering their opponents helpless before
they could rally to defense. All the
pent-up hate OF years was In their
hearts. bluzed madly In their eyes
hey were tigers leaping at the throat
Of their prey. yet sane enough to com
prchend even in their blood-rage that
they must act together. IL was over
so quickly ! scarcely saw II all. My
Eyes swept from group to group-the
four tOiling at the cover OF the main
hatch; the fellows racing toward the
forecnstle; and Watkins squad driv.
Ing straight info the grouped watch
beyond the foremost. Ii 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
pritnIy hold fnr "a mutu4uf and thep