Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-04-28
( CHAPTER XIV.
4 warn norothv-

pleased ut my prompt acceptance of
his proposal, talked on for some time,
explaining to me something Of the sit
uation aboard the Namur, and point
Ing out what he believed to be our
position on the chart. ! asked few
Siquestions, although I paid but little
iattention to what he said, my mind
being busted with searching out his
1Ieal purpose No doubt the situation
was very nearly as he described 1t
to be-LeVere was no navigator, and
Estada himself only an Indifferent one.
Yet at that the course to the West
Indies was not long one. and If the
Portuguese had been able to bring
|the bark from there to the Chesa-
peake, the return voyage should not
terrify him. No, that was not the
object; he was planning to keep at
sea, to waylay and attack merchant
ships. and then, after successful
cruise, arrive at Porto Grande laden
with spoils and hailed as great
leader. His plan was to dispose of
Sanchez-even to permit the Spaniard
to die Of his wounds; possibly even
to hasten and assure that death by
some secret resort to violence No
doubt LeVere was also concerned in
the conspiracy and would profit by it.
and possibly these two were likewise
assured of the cooperation of the
more reckless spirits among the crew.
N remembered what Watkins had whis-
ipered to me fOrward-his suspicious
9iof them both. He had been right;
Ralready the fuse was being laid. and,
Rvery fortunately, / happened to be
Ichosen to help touch 1t off. The
chance had sought blindly was being
tplainly revealed.
1t was evident enough, however,
that Estada had no intention Of trust
fng me Immediately with his real mo-
hives. His confidence was limited,
and his instructions related altogether
TO mere matters Of ship routine. l
could await developments. But was
becoming wearied by the man.
II understand perfectly, senior" I
broke In at last impatiently. "You
will have to take for granted that I
can enforce sea discipline and navi-
hate your boat to whatever part of
Mbe ocean you desire to sail. YAH l
aGeed is your orders. This, / take it, is
III you require of me?"
Eyes; / plan, you execute"
"very good; now about myself" and
arose to my feet, determined to
lose the interview. "You say may
\ hoose any stateroom on the port
Side?''
"They are all unoccupied, except
bne, used by the steward as store
koom."
opened the door and stepped out
INTO the main cabin, the roll of charts
lunder my arm. Estada didn't wait for
lime to question him.
captain Sanchez stateroom is aft"
Dhe said, with wave of the hand.
f'There are two rooms. Jose Is with
lhim-a negro with knack at nurs-
ling"
"Who else Is quartered aft hereY'
E He ignored the one thing most de-
Eired to learn, but 1 did not press it,
believing knew the answer already.
"LeVere has this middle stateroom,
land Mendez the one forward. Mendez
lis third officer and carpenter. Just
lat present with LeVere required on
deck he has charge of the men below.
Not the working crew; they are quar-
Tered In the foreeastle and are largely
English and Swede. But we have to
carry extra men, who bunk amidships
-hellhounds to fight-mongrels Of
course. They are allowed on deck
hmidships when we are at sea, but
Are not encouraged to mingle with the
sailors. We're over powder maya
zine all the time, tGates-any spark
might set it off"
"a I opened one Of the doors opposite
iand glanced within. The interior diff
tered but little from that Of the state
room occupied by Estada, except 1t
}was minus the table. No doubt they
lwere all practically alike.
"This will do very WELL" I said quiz
Il (etly. "Now how about clothes? These
slI wear look rather rough for the new
jjoD.
'Ill send you the steward; he'll fix
rou ont from the slop chest"
was glad to see him go and closed
The door on him with sigh Of relief.
1t had all occurred SO quickly, almost
without effort on my part, / could do
little but wonder what strange occur.
irence would be next. What, indeed,
Twas there for me to do except to await
Only one thing oc.
CURED to mel must discover some
lmeans Immediately of communicating
with Dorothy Fairfax.
The Importance Of this could not be
Ioverestimated. With myself quartered
Taft and eating in the cabin we were
bound to meet sooner or later, and the
girl must previously be warned Of my
presence aboard, or in her first sur
lprise at the recognition should be
linstantly betrayed. If was to serve
the girl there must be, first of all, in
Intelligent cooperation between us. She
Unjust not only know of my presence
lon the Namur but also the purpose &C
\ euating me. had reached this con
fusion when a light, hesitating knock
sFS 3ounded ut the door.