The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1919-06-07
CHAPTER xVl-Continued.

you; we can sit here
II was a couch of some kind against
the outer wall. She did not release
her grasp, seemingly gaining courage
from this physical contact, and my nm
gers closed warmly over her own.
"Now. please" breathlessly, "hoW Is
II possible you are aboard III yes
sel-an OfficerT'
l told her the strange story, as
swiftly and simply as possible, speak
ing scarcely above a whisper, feeling
as | progressed that | related dream
rather than a series of facts. Ii
seemed to me she could scarcely be ex-
pected TO believe the truth of what |
said. and yet she did. almost unques-
tioningy. the clasp of her fingers per-
cpptibly tightening as | proceeded.
She sat so close beside me that |
could feel her breath upon my cheek.
"Why, if-if you had not told me
this yourself | could hardly believe
such a tale" she exclaimed. "Yet 1t
must be true, miraculous as 1t seems.
But what is to be the ending? Have
you any plan Of escape?"
Hardly a PLAN / 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 / do not know how
many-who would mutiny if they had
leader and a reasonable chance of
success. | 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
"He told me what he had decided
upon; not to return to their rendez-
vous until after they had captured
some prizes and could go with gold
thinking in their pockets"
"Where is their rendeZvouS?"
"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?"
81 presume | 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
all they said, but / do not think they
intend the captain shall recover"
"YOu think it best that he should?'
"Oh, / do not know; there is nc
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 fee
safer with Sanchez. The other merel!
desires with the passions of brute
No appeal would reach him; he would
laugh at tears and find pleasure il
suffering. And yet you would hav,
me appear friendly with Estada2"
1--WE cannot permit him to feel tina
either of us are enemies He Is III,
power aboard: our lives, everythin;
are in his hands. If he means to b,
rid of Sanchez the man is doomed, TO
he will find way to accomplish hi
purpose; murder means nothing t,
these men,"
"Of course you are right" she &C
knowledged. Our case is so desper
ate we must resort to any weapons
You believe 1t will serve the pOssibilit,
of escape If l permit this monster t,
imagine that l have some interest il
him?"
ITO do so might delay the explo
sion," replied gravely, land just nov
any delay is welcome. l doubt if ever
Estada will resort to force on board
indeed force will be the very last cart
he will care to play in your case. YU
are English and all the practical sea
men on board are from northern Eu
rope = English and Scandinavian
These men are not pirates from choic
they are prisoners who have takel
on to save their own lives. With hi