Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-07-30
CHAPTER xvI-continued.

'FH SNNh--SOhAtiaSSa
III
"Yes; hold my hand while l guide
you; we can sit here"
1t was 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" treathlessly, "how Is
1t 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 l related a dream
rather than a series of facts. 1t
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
could feel her breath upon my cheek.
why, Tiff you had not told me
this yourself l could hardly believe
such a tale" she exclaimed. 'Yet it
must be true, miraculous as il seems.
But what is to be the ending? Have
you any plan of escapeg
Hardly a 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 has told me OF 9th
ers on whom could rely. There are
those aboard-but l do not know how
many-who would mutiny if they had
leader and reasonable chance of
success. l 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-Estada 2"
HE told me what he had decided
upon; not to return to their rendez-
vOus until after they had captured
some prizes and could 20 with gold
thinking in their pockets"
Where is their rendezvous?"
"An 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
sink? And yOu-you will be compelled
to take part in such scenes, such acts
of pillage and perhaps murder?"
Il presume l 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 it? They
thought me unconscious In the boat.
and talked among themselves-the
two at the stern. Estada and that
beast Manuel. l did not understand
all they said. but / do not think they
intend the captain shall recover"
"You think 1t best that he should?"
"Oh. / do not know; there is no
best that / can see. Yet l would have
more faith in being spared disgrace
If 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 l would feel
safer with Sanchez. The other merely
desires with the passions of a 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 Estada?"
1--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
he will find a way TO accomplish his
purpose; murder means nothing to
these men,"
"Of course you are right she ac-
klowledged. Our case is so desper-
ste we must resort to any weapons.
You believe it will serve the possibility
CT escape If / permit this monster to
imagine that / have some interest in
him?"
''To do so might delay the explo-
sion," replied gravely, land just now
any delay is welcome. doubt if even
Estada viii resort to force on board;
indeed force will be the very last card
he will care to play in your case. You
are English and all the practical sea-
men on board are from northern Eu-
rope - English and Scandinavian.
These men are not pirates from choice
they are prisoners who have taken
on TO save their own lives. With his
DULLES and cutthroats amidships he
can compel them TO work, but he dare
not go too far. Once these fellows
unite in mutiny they could take the
ship. An assault on you would be
dangerous"
1t is these men you count on?"
''Yes; but for me to gain their conf
dence and leadership will require
time. The slightest slip would mean
failure and merciless punishment. At
best the situation is absolutely des-
perate-but / see no other solution"
''And my service is deceit-the act
ing Of a part to blind the eyes of
Estaday
Il sincerely believe your greater
chance of security lies in this course.
The fellow Is a supreme egotist; op-
position viii anger him, while fattery
will make him subseryient. You have
the wit and discretion TO hold him
within certain limits. II is danger
Gus game, l admit. and a disagreeable
one, but the case requires desperate
remedies"
She lifted her eyes. searching my