The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1919-12-12

and there may be Scandinavian or
two, with few Dutch, to be counted
in that list; but the most are pirates
from choice. It's their trade, and they
like 1t. Sanchez only aims to keep
hold of few good men, because he
has got to have sailors; but most OF
his crew are nothing but plain cut
threats. Indians and half-breeds, mig
gers, creoles, Portuguese, Spanish, and
every mongrel you ever heard of. San
chez himself is half French. The hell
hound who kicked you is a Portu-
guese. and LeVere is more niger than
anything else. I'll bet there is hun
dred rats on board this Namur right
now who'd cut your throat for SOW
ereign, and never so much as think of
it again.
"A hundred? Is there that many
aboardr'
"A hundred an thirty all told. Most
O. 'em bunk amidships. They're not
sailormen, but just cut-throats, an sea
wolves. Yer ought ter see 'em swarm
out on deck, like hungry rats, when
thar's a fight comm. It's all they're
good fer"
Watkins" said soberly, after a
pause during which he spat on the
dirty deck to thus better express his
feelings, do yeu mean to say that in
three years you've had no chance to
escape? No opportunity to get away?"
mot a chance, mate; no more will
you. know what yer thinkin' bout. l
had them notions too when / fust
come aboard-gettin' all the decent
sort tergether, and takin' the vessel.
'Twon't work; thar amt 'nough who
wud risk it, and If thar wus, yer
couldn't get 'em tergether. Sanchez is
too damn smart fer tibet. Every damn
rat is spy. I amt he'd no such talk
as this afore in six months, Gates; the
last time cost me twenty lashes at the
mast-butt. What'd yer have in yer
mind, mater"
"Only this, Watkins. I've got to do
something and believe l can trust you
its not my life I'm thinking about,
but that of woman"
"A woman! Not the one brought
| aboard last night?"
Exactly; now listen-Tm going to
tell you my story and ask your help.
Ny name is not Gates, and I am not
the man Mendez brought aboard drunk
and who was thrown over the rail by
LeVere. That fellow was drowned.
am Geoffry Carlyle, an English skip.
per-"
Thereupon l told him my story in
detail. Then l said:
| Il have no plan; to become a mem
Der Of the crew was my only thought
But l must act, if at all, before the
captain RECEIVERS. He would recognize
me at sight. You will aid. advise
me?"
THAT Is easier to ask than answer
mate" he admitted finally. II am ar
English seaman, and will do my duty
but, so far as I can see, there is ne
plan we can make. 1t is God who will
save the girl, If she is to be saved. HI
may use us to that end, but it /:
wholly beyond our power to accom-
plish it alone. The only thing l car
do is to sound out the men aboard, ant
learn just what we can expect of then
if any opportunity to act comes. There
are not more than dozen at most tt
be relied upon. Play your part, an(
keep quiet. If you can let her know
of your presence aboard it might b,
best-for If she saw you suddenly, un
prepared, she might say or do some
thing to betray you. There are othe
reasons why it may be best for her t,
know she is not entirely deserted"
He leaned over. motioning M
toward him, until his lips We're at m,
ear.
1T may not prove as hopeless as
appears now" he whispered confiden
TALLY. 81 helped carry Sanchez to hi
stateroom, and washed and dressed hi
wound. There is no surgeon aboard
He has bad cut, and Is very veal
from loss of blood. The question O
our success hinges on Pedro Estada
This Is a chance he has long bee
waiting for. The only question is, ha
he the nerve to act. l doubt If he ha
alone. but LeVere Is with him, an
that half-breed would cut the throa
Of his best friend. You understand
the death of Sanchez would max
Estada chief"
But" l interposed, sin that cas-
what would the crew do?"
accept Estada, no doubt; at leas
the cut-throats would be with him, fo
he is of their sort. But Sanchez
death would save you from discover,
and" his voice still lower, so that
barely distinguished the words, "in tn
confusion aboard, If we were read
the Namur might be so disabled as /
compel them to run her ashore for r,
pairs. That would give you chanc