Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-08-13

down upon his forehead. l never be
held more disagreeable face, or on,
which so thoroughly revealed the ma
ture of man. AS l touched his hand
at Estada's brief introduction, 1t wal
as If l fingered snake.
This Is your chair, Gates, and yor
will find we live we'll aboard the Ma
mur-wine, women and song-hey
Manuel! Why not, when all are a
command? Steward. you told the lady
what my orders were. Then bid hel
join u.s."
We stood In silence, as Gunsaules
crossed the deck and inserted a key
in the after staterOom door. Manuel
was grinning In full enjoyment, but
the expression on the face Of Estadf
was that Of grim cruelty. l felt my
hands grip like iron on my chair back
and my teeth clinch In restraint. God
but I would have liked to grip the fel
| low where he stoOd-all the bottled
up hatred In my soul struggling fol
action. Yet that would only mean the
death Of all hope, and l turned my
eyes away from him and stared will
the others at the opening door.
Out into the full light Of the cabin
the woman came and halted barely q
step In advance of the steward, her
head uplifted proudly, her eyes on us
Never before had realized her beau
ty, her personality, as I did then. Her
posture was not that of defiance nor
of surrender; she stood as woman
defending her right to respect, sus'
tanned by a wonderful courage.
caught her glance, but there was nc
recognition in 1t; not by the flicker
of an eyelid did she betray surprise,
and yet In some mysterious manner a
flash Of intelligence passed between
us. 1t was all instantaneous, for her
gaze seemed to concentrate on Estada
as though she knew him as sleader.
"You sent for me? For what?" she
asked, her Spanish clear and well
chosen.
ITO join us at meal" he answered
unmoved. ut Is better than to remain
alone"
Better! You must have a strange
opinion Of me to believe l would sit
with murderers and thieves"
Harsh words, senorita." and Estada
grinned grimly. "Yet expected them.
There are many trades In the world
by which men are robbed. We only
work at the one we like best; nor will
/ discuss that with you. However,
senorita, l can say that we have taken
no lives in this last affair"
mo lives!" In sudden, incredulous
surprise. "You mean my uncle lives?"
IF you refer to Fairfax-the one In
whose room the chest was hidden.
can only reply truthfully that he lives.
One of my men struck him down, but
it was not death blow. If that be
the reason of your disdain there Is no
cause. This chair Is held for you"
"But why was I brought away
prisoner? To be plaything2 A sport
for your pleasure"
THAT was but the orders of our
chief; we await his recovery to learn
his purpose"
sanchez! Was he your chief7 A
pirate?"
"A buccaneer; we prey on the enc
mics Of Spain. 1t was at Captain San
chez orders we waited the arrival Of
your vessel from England. He loved
you; he would no doubt have dealt
with you honorably; have reason to
believe that to be his purpose now.
Nothing will change his purpose. He
is that kind. and he has the power.
He determined that If you would not
come to him by choice you should be
made to by force. You are here now
by his orders and will remain until
you consent to his purpose-all that
remains for you to decide Is whether
you choose to be prisoner or guest
aboard"
"And If he should die7"
Estada shrugged his shoulders in
differently.
"Who knows"
Her lips frightened as though to hold
back a cry while one hand pressed to
the open door steadied her. There
was a look in the searching eyes did
not like to see. 1t was a moment be-
fore she could control her voice.
II have beard them call you Estada,
Of what rank In this company are
YOUR
II am Pedro Estada, formerly the |
1rst officer. now, by occasion of Cap
ain Sanchez wound, In full command,
These are two Of my officers-Senor
Gates, one Of your own countrymen.
Ind Manuel Estevan. And now that
have answered your questions. what