Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-04-16


clined to use you. Every Englishman
ever knew was liar and a sneaking
poltroon. was brought CD to hate
the race and always have. 1 can't say
that like you any better than the
others. don't, for the matter of
that. But just now you can be use
full to me if you are of that mind.
This is business proposition. and it
makes no odds if we hate each other,
so the end is gained. How does that
sOund?"
mot altogether bad" admitted.
II have been in some games of chance
before"
Il thought as much" eagerly, 'sand
money has the same chink however it
be earned. You could use some?''
IF | had any to use: after a sailor
has been drunk there is not apt to
be much left in his pockets
''The fact is" he began doubtfully,
"what you just said to me on deck
CHANGED to be of interest. You are a
navigator?"
II was in command of ships for four
years, senior; naturally I know navi-
CATION"
81 will soon learn il you have lied,
and that will be sorry day for you.
I'll tell you, Gates, how matters stand
aboard, and why I have need OF your
skill. Then you may take your choice
the forecastle or the cabin?"
"You invite me aft, senor?"
Il give you chance to move your
dunnage if you will do my work.
Listen now. Sanchez has been badly
hurt. 1t may be weeks before he
leaves his cabin, If, indeed, he ever
does. That leaves me in command
with but one officer, the mulatto, Lee
We're. This might answer to take us
safely to Porto Grande, as we could
stand watch and watch, but Francois
is no sailor. 1t was his part on board
to train and lead the fighting men
he cannot navigate. Saint Christie
pher! / fear to leave him alone in
charge of the deck while 1 snatch an
hours Sleep"
81 see," admitted. "And yourself,
senior? You are a seaman?"
Enough to get along, but not quite
sure as to my figures. / have taken
no sights except as we came north
on this trip. TITS for this reason I
need you-but you will play me no
smart English trick, my man, or I'll
have you by the heels at once. know
enough to verify your figures"
II thought of no trick, Estada," I
said coldly, now satisfied as to his
| purpose and confident of my own
| power. "You would have me as navi-
gator, very well-at what termsT
with rating as first officer and
| your fair proportion of all spoils.'
s'You mean then to continue the
| course? To attack vessels on the high
t Seas?"
"Why not?" sneeringly. "Are you
too white-livered for that sort of
! job? If SO, then you are no man for
me. 1t is a long voyage to Porto
SGrahde, and no reason why we should
hurry home; the welcome there will
be better If we bring chests of gold
aboard. Az, and the thought will put
hope into the hearts of the crew; they
are restless now from long waiting
"But Captain Sanchez? You have
no surgeon, I am told. Will he not
suffer from neglect of his wound?"
Suffer? No more than under a
leech ashore. All that can be done
has been. His was a clean knife
thrust, which has been washed, treat
ed with lotion and bound up. No leech
could do more
"And my quarters-will they be
aft?"
'You will have your choice of those
at port. Come now-have you an an
swer ready?"
II would be fool not to have"
heartily. II am your man, Estada."