The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1919-08-02

you know who spoken"
DO /? Dead or alive, sir, 1t was
Manuel Estevan."
"Ay; no other and alive enough, no
doubt. Lads, come close 10 me and
listen-they must not hear us out
there. By some devils trick the Ma
muir has followed our course, or else
yonder are part of his crew cast
away. They clearly know of us-per-
haps had glimpse through some rift
in the cloud-and are seeking to
board with boat party. IT'S not like
ly those devils know who we are
probably take us for q merchant ship
becalmed In the fog and liable to be-
come an easy prey, If they can only
slip on us unseen. How are you, bull
lies? Ready to battle your old matesT
| Those were no mates O. ours. SIR"
said Watkins Indignantly. "They are
half-breed mongrels. and no sailors ;
Estevan Is hell-hound. an so far as
my voice goes, I'd rather die on this
deck than ever agin be bloody pirate.
1t that the right words, lads?"
The others grumbled assent, but
their muttered words had In them a
ring Of sincerity. and their faces ex-
hibited no cowardice. One only asked
a question.
I'm fer fightin. sir" he said grim
ly. ''but what'll we use? Them lads
amt comm aboard bare-handed, but
damn If I've seed weapon ON this
hooker"
Oars three knives, an meat
cleaver in der galley, sah." chimed in
Sam.
| Wen do well enough; some of you
have your sheath knives yet, and the
rest can use Delaying pins and capstan
bars. The point is to not let them get
aboard and. If there is only one boat.
we will be pretty even-handed. Pick
up what you can. and man this rail-
| quietly now, hearties, and keep your
eyes open"
It proved a longer wait than l ex-
pected. Unable to withstand the In
action any longer l turned and took a
few steps aft, thinking to gauge our
progress by the wake astern. l was
abaft the cabin on the port side when
Dorothy called my name-a sudden ac-
cent of terror in her voice.
The alarm was sounded none too
soon. Either fortune, or skill, had
served those demons well. They had
succeeded In circling the stern of the
Santa Marie, unseen and unheard by
anyone aboard. Even as she shrieked
the alarm, hand was at her throat,
and she was struggling desperately in
the merciless grip Of half-naked In
dian.
Yet at that they were too late, the
advantage Of surprise had failed them.
| A half dozen had reached the deck,
leaping from the rail, the others below
clambering after their leaders, when
with a rush we met them. 1t was q
fierce. mad fight. fist and club pitted
against knife and cutlass, but the de-
tenders struck like demons incarnate.
doubt if the struggle lasted two min
tes heard the blows, the oaths. the
cries Of pain, the dull thud of wood
| against bone, the sharp clang of steel
in contact, the shuffling of feet on the
deck. the splash Of bodies hurled over
board. Each man fought for himself,
in his own way. l thought only of her,
and leaped straight for her assailant
| with bare hands, smashing recklessly
| through the hasty guard of his cutlass
and gripped the copper devil by hair
and throat. knew she fell to the
| deck beneath our feet. but / had my
| work cut out for me. He was hell
| hound. slippery as an eel In his half
| nakedness. strong as an OK, and fight
| ing like a fiend. Yet l had him foul,
| my grip unbreakable, as l forced his
| neck back against the rail, until it
cracked. the swarthy body sliding inert
to the deck. Whirling to assist the
others / found no need. Except for
bodies here and there the deck was
clear; men were struggling in the
chains; two below in the boat were
endeavoring to cast off, and Schmitt,
with Estevan helpless In his arms,
staggered to the side and flung the
shrieking Spanish cur overheard out
into dark water. / heard the splash as
he fell, the single cry his lips gave, but
he never again appeared above the sur
face. Above the bedlam Watkins
roared out an order.
That's 1t, bulliesl that's IT. Now
let her drop! Well send them to hell
where they belong. Good shot; she
landed!'
It was the hank Of spare anchor.