The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-21

est sailor, and he has told me of otf1- CTS on whom I could rely. There are those aboard-but 1 do not know how nany-who would mutiny if they had q leader and a reasonable chance of success. I must reach these and learn who they are. Fortunately the voyage promises to be long enough to enable me to plan carefuIly.'
 ''You have discussed the voyage with this man-Estada?
 He told me what he had deSided upon; not to return to their rendez- vous until after they had captured some prizes and could go with gold Chinking in their pockets"
 Where is their rendezyous?"
 "An island in the West Indies, prob ably not on the chart. They call it Porto Grande."
 And 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?"
 'fI presume I must seem to be one ofsthem 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 thamselves-the two at the stern, Estada and that beast Manuel. I did not understand all they said, but do not think they intend the captain shall recover"
 You think it best that he shouId?'
 'Oh, I do not know; there is no best that 1 can see. YeE I 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. I may be wrong, for I judge as a woman, yet I would feel safer with Sanchez. The other merely desires with the passions of q 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 E3tada?" 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 1 he will find a way to accomplish his 1 purpose; murder means nothing to i these men,
 | "Of course you are right" she ac- 1 knowledged. Our case is so desper- i ate we must resort to any weapons. 1 You believe it will serve the possibility i of escape if permit this monster to 1 imagine that I have some interest in 1 him?"
 gro do so might delay the expIo- 1 sion,' l replied grayely, land just now 1 any delay is welcome. I doubt if even 1 Estada will resort to force on board l; i indeed force will be the very last card 1 he will care to play in your case. You 1 are English and all the practical sea- men on board are from northern Eu- rope - English and Scandinavian. 1 These men are not pirates from choice they are prisoners who have taken on to save their own lives. With his : bullies and cutthroats amidshfps he can compel them 10 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 1 dangerous"
 Tt 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 I see no other solution g
 And my service is deceit-the act ing of a part to blind the eyes of | Estada?"
 (Continued On Page Fifteen)