Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-11-04

u,e'eh W Storrn ana calm, TO time ana
tide, TO darkness and light. she sat
serene In her little sea. Her lofty wallis
lowered high above tho waves that broke
trembling against them, as II afraid of
THIS strange object from another world
mat could rest upon the bottom of tho
ocean and yet be SO far above them.
Reported, Lost with all on board! I"
CHAPTER VIII
Captain Trigger and a dozen men
stood on the beat deck with guns and
revolvers, facing several hundred sullen
determined men and women from the
steerage. Night had not yet fallen; the
shadow OF the hills, however was reach.
ing halfway across the oval pool; gloom
impenctrable had settled on the wooded
shores.
With the striking Of the Doraine,
nearly every one on board was hurled to
the decks. As che heeled over five or
SIX degrees In settling herself among the
rocks. panic ensued among the ignor-
ant mt people of the steerase. They scram-
me boats, shouting and screaming In
their terror Other passengers were
trampled under foot and sailors standing
ny the davits were hurled aside.
captain Trigger. anticipating Just
such a stampede, rushed UP with mem-
ners OF the gun crew. The gaunt,
broken old master Of the D0rnine drove
The horde back from the boats, but as
he stood there haranguing them IN good
maritime English he could see plainly
enough that they wero not to be so easily
subdued. The first panic was over. but
they were crazed by the fear that had
gripped them for days; they believed
that the ship was soon to sink beneath
tneir teet; safety lay not more than 100
yards away--and II was being denied
them by this heartless, unfeeling despot.
They were mainly low-caste Portu.
guese hound for Rio and Bahia, and they
hrA ODE. ed him through ell those tortu-
GUS Gays ,ut on the deep where he was
the shepl erd and they the flock. But
no"-rov they could well afford to turn
upon and rend him. for he had brought
them safc to land and they no longer
owed him anything!
=, MY God, don't want to shoot any of
them. groaned tho captain, steadying
himself against the rail. "But they've
got guns. and they're crazy. L"
Some one touched his arm, and q Arm,
decisive voice spoke in his ear.
I'm used to handling gangs like this,
Captain Trigger. They don't understand
you. but they'll damn soon understand
me, II you'll turn the Job over to me. I'm
not even limiting that you can't bring
em to their senses. ! know how to
handle 'em and you don't, that's all.
They're not sailors, you see. And II ism I
mutiny. They need boss, sir-that's
what they need. And they need him
damned quick, SO II you don't mind say
Ing the worrd-they're ready to make a
rush, and fl"
them"
Say no more!" shouted Percival, and
stepped resolutely forward. His hands
were bare-swollen, red and ugly; his
eyes were as cold as eteel, his voice as
sharp as keen-edged sword He spoke
IN spanish TO the wavering, threatening
horde
you damned, sneaklng, low.lived
Have you no thought for the women
you've trampled upon and beaten out OF
your path--your own women. as well as
the others-think Of them and ask your
selves II you are men. I'm In command
OF this ship now. and, by God, I'm going
for shore. Don't cheer! You don't know
what's coming to you. I'm going to turn
fhat cannon on you up there and blow
every one OF YOU to hell and gone before
you get fifty feet from the side of this
snip; You don't believe that eh? Well.
Lieutenant Plattr' He called over his
shoulder In English to the young COM
mander or the guns crew. Get some OF
your men up there and train that gun
so as to blow these boats to smither-
CAPTAIN: TITS all right 1 know what
I'm talking about" Then to the crowd:
we don't want you on board this ship
a minute longer than we can help. We've
got no room for dogs here among decent
whlte men and women. Do you UNDER
stand that? We don't want to have any
thing more to do with you, either here
or on shore. I'm going to wipe you out,
every damned one of you-men, women
and children. You're not fit to live. /
You're going TO climb into those boats
M sKAA F,Hp Nl.l. ~. |
realize how safe you are here till you
get down there in the water and hear
hat gun 20 off. Come on ! Get a move |
We're through with you, now and for
ever. Nobody's going to stop you. I'm
even going to have the bonts lowered for
shouted after Lieutenant Plat: "Be
lively, please. You've got your orders
Wen make short work of this pack OF
wolves" TO Captain Trigger. authori-
latively: Withdraw your men, sir. am
going to let them leave the ship. AZ once,
slr! DO you mean to disobey me, sir?"
He gave the captain a sly wink.
Then as the bewildered master with.
irew with his armed men, no turned
'nos more to the mob.
,,.S;o Some Nni Step lively, nowI No
d one Of You, I % mean. "i what tfy the e'fsi heii
ire you hanging back for-you? You
we're so darned eager to 20 a little while
go. what's the matter with you now?
20 ones trying to stop you. Here are
nd pile In. You're absolutely free to
70. you swine. Wen be damned good
md rid of you. and that's all were
skiing. It's a pity to waste powder and
annon-balls on you, when we may have
,se for all we've got later on, killing
he lions and tigers and anacondas up
here in the woods, but I'm going to do
He stepped back Not a man or wom-
n moved: They stood transilxed. pack
q In huddled mass along the deck
hen woman cried out for mercy.
he cry was taken up by other women.
'ercival halted and faced them once
lore.
Get into those boats ~ he roared saw.
gely; ut won't do you bit of good
0 whine and pray and squeai I'm
l,rG, hrongh with you. You've got to-
Several of the men edged forward.
ome OF them trying to smile.
Would you kill us when we are only
rying to save our liyesT" called out
ne or them, finding his courage and
II don't want to talk to you. Get in !"
we nave as much right to remain
2 this ship as anybody else" shouted
mother. I'VE paid for our passage, We
re honest, hard-workingA-"
NO use III give you ten minutes
climb into those boats"
Inere was moments silence
And what Will you do II we refuse toJ
ave the ship?" cried one OF the men.
Be quiet" he bawled at the whimper-
" women. I'VE cannot hear what tho
entleman has to say"
you'll soon find out what I'll do, II
gu don't obey me inside OF ten min
tes." replied Percival.
But the ship is not going to sink
ny more" protested another, looking
not wish to leave now"
captain Trigger and Mr.. Mott Joined