The daily Alaskan., 1919-05-13
CHAPTER XIV.
i Warn Dorothy.

Warn Dorothy.
 The Portuguese, evidently well pleased at my prompt acceptance of his proposal, talked on for some time, explaining to me something of the sit nation aboard the Namur. and point ing out what he believed to be our position on the chart. 1 asked few questions, although l paid but little attention to what he said, my mind being busled with searching out his real purpose. No doubt the situation was very nearly as he described 1t to be-LeVere was no navigator, and Estada himself only an indifferent one. Yet at that the course to the west Indies was not long one, and if the Portuguese had been able to bring the bark from there to the Chesa- peake, the return voyage should not terrify him. No, that was not the object; he was planning to keep at sea, to waylay and attack merchant ships, and then, after a successful cruise, arrive at Porto Grande laden with spells and hailed as a great leader. His plan was to dispose Of Sanchez-even to permit the Spaniard to die of his wounds; possibly eVeh to hasten and assure that death by some secret resort to violence. No doubt LeVere was also concerned in the conspiracy and would profit by 1t, and possibly these two were likewise assured of the cooperation of the more reckless spirits among the crew. I remembered what Watkins had whis- pered to me forward-his suspicious of them both. He had been right; already the fuse was being laid, and, very fortunately, happened to be chosen to help touch 1t of. The chance had sought blindly was being plainly revealed.
 It was evident enough, however, that Estada had no intention of trust ing me Immediately with his real mo- lives. His confidence was limited, and his instructions related altogether to mere matters of ship routine. I could await developments. But l was becoming wearied by the man.
 'T understand perfectly, senor," l broke in at last Impatiently. You will have to take for granted that 1 can enforce sea discipline and navl- gate your boat to whatever part of the ocean you desire to sail. All I need is your orders. This, take 1t, is all you require of mel"
 "Yes; I plan, you execute"
 "Very good; now about myself" and arose to my feet, determined to close the interview. You say l may choose any stateroom on the port slde?"
 "They are all pnOccupied, except one, used by the steward as a store room"
 I opened the door and stepped out into the main cabin, the roll of charts under my arm. Estada didn't wait for me to question him.
 Captain Sanchez staterOom Is aft," he said, with a wave of the hand. "There are two rooms. Jose Is with hlm-a negro with q knack at nurs- ing"
 "Who else is quartered aft here?"
 He ignored the one thing most de sired to learn, but l did not press 1t, believing l knew the answer already.
 "LeYere has this middle Stateroom, and Mendez the one forward. Mendez is third officer and carpenter. Just at present with LeVere required on deck he has charge of the men below. Not the working crew; they are quar- tered In the forecastle and are largely English and Swede. But we have to carry extra men, who bunk amidships -hellhoundS to fght-mongrels of course. They are allowed on deck amidShipS when we are' at sea, but are not encouraged to mingle with the SuilnrS We're over a nOWdPr maGa-