Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-07-23
CHAPTER XIV.
10
The Cabin of the Namur.

ne CdDIn OF Ine NafnuTs
Both huge, black hands grasped the
spokes, and it was evident that 1t re-
Quired all his giant strength to con-
troll the bucking wheel. He was an
ugly-looking brute, the lower portion
of his face apelike and the wool grow
ing so low as to leave him scarcely
an inch of forehead. His eyes lifted
an instant from the pinnacle card to
glance at me curiously. They exhib-
tied no flash of recognition.
For half an hour Estada hung about
aft, apparently paying no attention to
me, and yet watching my movements
closely. There was little to be done,
but l thought it best to keep the watch
reasonably busy, so they might thus
learn that l knew my work. Thev
proved prompt and capable enough,
although l was eyed with some curl
oSity when l first went forward, AMI.
no doubt, was very thoroughly dis
cussed behind my back. The idlers
amidships were totally different
class-a mongrel scum, profanely
chatting ir Spanish or staggering
hDOul lii6 utCht LiAttI very HUNS u
challenge. However. they kept out
of my way, and l found no occasion
to interfere with their diversions
After Estada left the deck the ma
iority amused themselves gambling,
and as ! had received no orders to
interfere permitted the games to pro-
coed. Mendez interfered only once
- - E,,IN
instructions from the Portuguese on
his going below was to call him DIT
once if a sail was sighted. Apparent
ly he was satisfied of my ability to
command the deck.
No occasion to call him arose dur
Ing my watch. ct was still daylight,
but with a purple CLEAN across the
waters, when LeVere arrived on deck
for my relief. We were talking to-
gether abaft the wheel when Estada
appeared in the cOmpanionway.
Every promise of a clear night" he
said, CHANGING about at the horizon.
Better change the course two points.
LeVere; we are lying in too close to
the coast for our purpose. The table
call will come very shortly, Senior
Gates
washed up hastily in my state
room and came out into the cabin
perplexed as to what might occur
within the next few moments. Yet
whatever the result there was no
avoiding it. My every move was one
of extreme caution.
Estada and Estevan awaited me. The
aatter was ali rugged out. and with
smooth black hair oiled and plastered
down upon his forehead. l never be-
held d more disagreeable face. or one
which so thoroughly revealed the ma
ture of a man. AS touched his hand,
at Estada's brief Introduction, 1t was
as if I fingered a snake.
'NThis is your chair, Gates. and you
will find we live well aboard the Ma
nur-wine, women and s0ng-hey
Manuel Why not. when all are at
command? Steward, you told the lady
what my orders were. Then bid her
Join us"
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
che expression on the face Of Estada
was that of grim cruelty. ] felt my
hands grip ike iron on my chair back
end nv teeth clinch in restraint. God.
but I would have liked TO grip the fell
low where he stoOd-all the bottled
M hatred In my soul struggling for
action. Yet that would only mean the
death of all hope. and turned my
eyes away from him and stared with
the Others at the opening DOR.
Out into the full light et the cabin
the woman came and hailed barely g