The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1919-06-21
CHAPTER XIX.
layinu the Trap.

DeT0re the FELLOW cOulQ grasp
weapon. The narroWness Of the state
room prevented my taking much part
In the affair, but the mulatto needed
no help, as he dragged the cursing
Spaniard from his bunk to the deck
and throttled him savagely. Indeed
he would have killed the fellow had
not interfered and twisted his hands
loose, leaving Estevan barely con-
scious. A blanket ripped into strips
served to bind him securely enough
for the present, but l thought 1t best
to lock the door, and keep the key In
my own pocket. LeVere would have
knitted him even as he lay there help
less, but for my threat and insistence.
Once back in the cabin my eyes dis
tinguished the frightened face OF the
steward peering forth at us from out
the dark Of the passage lead>ng for
ward.
"Come here, Gunsaules," l said
sternly. "Step lively, lad; there's moth
ing for you to fear. Senior Estada has
been killed during the night. and we
have just captured his murderer"
explained. There Is reason to believe
this act was part Of a conspiracy TO
seize the ship in connection with those
fellows amidships. Does that passage
lead to their QuartersT'
ut did once, senior, but now there Is
a closed door Of oak, studded with
iron, not only locked, but barred on
this side. There are but two keys
one for the captain and the other for
him who commands the buccaneers"
stood there moment, considering
this information. The only way the
mutineers could reach the cabin then
would be from the deck, descending
through the companion. So long as
they remained unaware of the capture
Of Manuel there was little danger Of
their taking such action.
Every well, steward" I said. you
60 on about your work as though moth
ing had happened. If any word Of this
affair gets to the crew, or to those fell
lows forward, I'll hold you RESPONSE
BILE. You are not to leave this cabin
without my permission, nor speak to
anyone. LeVere."
The mulatto faced me respectfully
enough, and had feeling he would |
obey orders, largely because he dare
not rebel.
"They will be wondering why you
nre not on deck. It will be better for |
you to take charge of the watch at |
once, and keep the men busy. Relieve |
Watkins at the wheel and send the |
man down to me. He can choose the
fellows who will stick better than you
could, and then can circulate among
them without arousing suspicion"
Watkins soon shuffled down the |
steps. He whipped off his cap and
stood waiting.
put my hand on his shoulder.
"TOm," l said soberly, I'VE are in the
same boat, and understand each other.
The chance has come for both of us, II
we play the cards right. Listen while
l tell you the situation. and what I
plan doing"
1 told it briefly. wasting no words,
yet relating every fact. He listened
eagerly. but without interruption un-
til the end.
what do you make Of TT" asked.
About what you do, sir. l knew
there was something Of the kind going
on-some Of the men forward are In
on It. You've got the ring-leader."
manuel, you mean. Who did he
count on for help in the forecastleY
"Cochose. and handful Of others,
niggers and Spaniards, mostly. They
meant to pull the affair off either to-
day or tonight. Your plan gives US a
fair chance, sir. A dozen good men on
deck might do the business"
"But are there a dozen aboard to
be trusted?"
"Well yes sir. l rather think there
are. I'd say that in both watches
there's maybe fourteen to be relied
On"
"In my watch there's Jones, Har-
wood and Simms. either English or
Welsh. They're all right. Then there's
/ niger named Sam; Schmitt. a
Dutchman, with his partner, whose
name don't know. and two Trenches.
aavel and Pierre. That makes eight.
line counting myself. Then in the |
'tarboard watch I'd pick out Jim Car t
er and Joe Cole, two Swedes, Carl t
'on and Ole Hallin, and another mig. z
,er. Then there are couple of Firms t
Who ought to be with US, but l can't c
ak their lingo. That would give us u
txteen out OF thirty, and it's quite q
kely some Of the others would take .