The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1919-10-16
CHAPTER XIX.
cayinu the Tran.

Levere had slnewy hands mt his throat
before tho fellow could grasp a
weapon. The narrowness of the state
room prevented my taking much part
in the affair. but the mulatto needed
no help. as ha dragged the cursing
Spnniard from his bunk to the deck
and throttled him savagely. Indeed
he would have killed the fellow had
I not interfsred and twisted his hands
loose, leaving Estevan barely con-
scious. A blanket ripped into strips
served b bind him securely enough
for the present, but I thought 1t best
% lock the door, and keep the key In
my w pocket. Levere would have
knitted him ven "a he lay there help
less, but for my threat and insistence.
Once back in the cabin my eyes dis
tinguished the frightened face Of the
steward peerlng forth at us from out
the dark of the passage leading for
ward.
"Come here. Gunsaules," I oeaid
sternly. "Stcp lively, lad; there's Nth
ing for you to fear. Senior Estada vps
been killed during the night. and Nc
have Just captured his murderer" \
explained. 'yThere Is reason to believe
this act was part Of a conspiracy to
seize the ship In connection with those
fellows amidshlps. Does that passage
lead to their quartersT
at did once, senior, but now there is
a closed door OF oak, studded with
iron, not only locked, but barred on
this side. There are but two keys
one for the captain and the other for
him who commands the buccaneers"
I stood there a moment, considering
this information. The only way the
m%utineers could reach the cabin then
would be from the deck, descending
through the companion. So long as
they remained W of the capture
of Manuel there vas little danger Of
their taking such action.
every well. steward" I said. "You
20 on about your work rs though moth.
Ing had happened. If any word Of this
affair gets to the crew. or to those fel-
lows forward. I'll hold you responsl.
BILE. You are not to leave this cabin
without my permission, nor speak to
anyone. Levere."
The muiatto faced me respectfully
enough, and ! had a feeling he would
obey orders, largely because he dare
not rebel.
"They will be wondering why you
are not on deck. II will be bette for
you to take charge of the watch at
once, and keep the men busy. Relieve
Watkins at the wheel aud send the
man down to me. He can choose the
fellows who will stick better than you
could, and then can circulate among
them without arouslng suspicion"
Watkins soon shuflled down the
steps. He whipped or his cap and
stood waiting.
/ put my hand on his shoulder.
~Tom," ! said soberly, tive are In the
same boat, and understand each other.
The chance has come for both Of us, II
we play the cards right. Listen while
/ tell you the situation. and what I
plan do.ng."
told 1t briefly, wasting no words.
yet relating every fact. He listened
eagerly, but without interruption un-
I'll the end.
"What do you make Of itf I asked.
"About what you do, sir. I knew
there was something Of the kind going
OF the men forward are In
on It. You've got the ring-leader."
Emanuel. you mean. Who did he
count on for help In the forecastlef"
"Cochose. and a handful Of others,
niggers and Spaniards, mostly. They
meant to pull the affair on either to-
day or tonight Your plan gives US a
fair chance, sir. A dozen good men on
deck might do the business"
"But are there a dozen aboard to
be trustedf"
swell. yes sir. I rather think there
are. I'd say that in both watches
there's maybe fourteen to be relied
on"
"In my watch there's Jones, Har-
wood and Simms, either English or
Welsh. They're all right. Then there's
a niger named Sam; Schmitt, a
D%utchman, with his partner, whose
name I don't know. and two Trenches,
Ravel and Pierre. That makes eight,
nine counting myself. Then In the
starboard watch I'd pick out Jim Car
ter and Joe Cole, two Sweies. Carl
son and ole HallIn, and another mig
ger. Then there are a couple of Firms
who ought to be with us, but I can't
tnik their lingo. That would give us
sixteen out Of thirty, and It's quite
likely some OF the others would take n
hand with us. If they thought II was
safe. haven't any use though, sir,
for Francois LeYere. There aln't a
worse scamp aboard"
Il know that" I admitted, but he
had to be used"
"And what Is my part nowr"
"This is my watch below, and II will
be best for me TO keep Off the deck
until oil is prepared. You sound these
men and get them together; wake up
the ones In the starboard watch you
fee sure are ali right, Gld hG 70 thaIi