The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1919-09-12
CHAPTER XXI.
The Crew Decides

Except that many of the men re
raained armed there was no suggestion
of violence. But for the cleaning car
rouade trained on the main hatch, ant
the small group of gunners clustered
szt3aat it, the scene was peaceabl,
eaough, resembling the deck of some
lnerchant ship. LeVere stood melton
less at the poop rail- staring down ant
his attitude and expression of face
aroused within me doubt of the man
AZ determination to put him to the test
Evidently he. had held alOof and re
Trained from taking even the slightest
gsay9 iu our activities. The men them
selves were mostly forward, grouped
together and still excitedly discussing
the situation.
stand by to reef topsails," / shout
ed We're sill one watch now. Go at
EG lively, lads, and when the job is
whats our next move. Two of you
rpfit be enough to guard the hatch and
one Of you go into the cabin and re-
kieve the girl there. Keep your eyes
open I'll be down presently. Aloft
with you and see how quick job you
can make of it,
Watkins led the way up the main
mast ratiines, and Cole was first into
the fore shrouds, the otheSs following
eagerly. I watched them lay out on
fhe yards and was heartened TO hear
the fellows sing as they worked. the
canvas melting away as if by magic.
climbed the ladder to where LeVere
stood on the poop. but carefully
ignored his presence, my gaze on the
scene afoft. Twice / gave orders,
changing the steering direction slight
fy, and commanding the lower sails
reefed. The mulatto scowling, Joined
me at the rail.
Whats all this about?" he asked.
THAT'S no storm cloud yonder.'
There is always danger In fog"
answered coIdly, "and besides there is
no use carrying on until we know
where we are bound. My purpose is
90 keep the men busy, and then talk
the situation over with them. Have
you any criticism of this plan, Senior
LeVere?"
He hesitated. but his eyes were mar
Eowed. and ugly.
You'll do as you please. but you
told me we sailed for Porto Grande.
Was that a lie?"
Not necessarily" and 1 smiled
grfmiy. although | should not have
hesitated to tell one under the circum-
stances. | mean to leave that decision
TO the men themselves. 1t is their
lives that are in danger"
That scum half Of them are Eng
fish and French. All they want is to
get away; they will never go back to
Porto Grande without you make
them
How make them?'
by false observations; there is no |
navigator forward. 1t is a trick easy |
enough to play with a little nerve. l |
would never have taken part in this
nu6ny. if / had supposed you meant
TO play into the hands of the men,"
lit is very little part you took Senior
LeVere, judging from what | saw. You
seemed quite content to stand aft here
md look on. However you are In 1t
JUST as deeply as | am. and are going
N play the game out with me to the
nd Do you understand that?"
'1What you mean, senor-play 1t
vuty'
Go on with the rest of us; take
'our chance with the men and do your
IHty am captain here. The first
ign at sreachery on your part will
end you below with those others. |
loof crust you, and all | want is an
1cuse TO put you out of the way-so
Ne careful what you do
turned and walked away from him
oward the forward rail- The men
we're still aioft but coming in from OF
he yards. Below me in the door of
be companion. stood Dorothy, her
yes .peering curiously about the de-
erfed deck. She glanced up and saw
Ne
May come up there?" she asked.
Certainly: let me help you. Stand
ere beside me. and you can see all
hat is being done. That's all, lads; I
reAkfast is ready; lay down all ex- t
ac< the lookout
We watched while they streamed Y
own the ratIines and gathered for c
ard Of the galley. squatting in groups t
n the deck. To all appearances the
SLOWS had not care in the world, .
r any thought Of the stirring scenes d
Ist passed through The girls hand d
,Iched my sleeve. and / turned and h
Oked into her face. I
Have you considered Captain San
sezT' she asked. .
Why no." In surprise, "he is help I
- fellow. badly wounded" |,
mot 80 badly as you suppose" she Il
I'D swiftly. HE is able to be up and 8
2Out his stateroom. heard him
owing. and believe the steward has q
ID him what has occurred on board, o
I'd endeavored to bear a message t
ON aim to those men amidships ! Il
ID my pistol to his head and locked b
= In the pantry. He = there now. .
IN the sailor you sent on guard. d
NJ + vhAt came q dccf to tell q
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