Clearwater Republican., 1920-01-23
CHAPTER xx-Continued.

~
We emerged through the companion
and I stepped aside as the others
rushed by. There was no shout, nc
cheer, the fellows seeming to realize
the desperate nature of their work
and the Importance of surprise. They
were 0utnumbered five to one, and
their only hope of success lay in ren.
dering their opponents helpless before
they could rally to defense. All the
pent-up hate Of years was in their
hearts, blazed madly in their eyes
they were tigers leaplng at the throat
Of their prey. yet sane enough to com.
prehend even In their blood-rage that
they must act together. 1t was over
80 quickly I scarcely saw 1t all. My
eyes swept from group to group-the
four tOiling at the cover Of the main
hatch; the fellows racing toward the
forecastle; and Watkins squad driv-
ing straight into the grouped watch
beyond the fOremast. It was smartly
done; Watkins had taken no cutlass,
but went In with both fists, asking no
questions, but battering right and left,
his men surging after, with steel
blades flaming in the sunlight. The
astOunded watch, cursing and fighting
grimly, held for moment, and then
went staggering back against the port
rail, unable to stem the rush, and roar
ing for mercy. ] had view of Carlson
dropping recklessly down the forecas-
tie scuttle. and then sprang forward
myself to give hand to the four
wrestling with the main hatch. To-
gether we dragged 1t into position,
forcing relentlessly back as we did so,
a dozen struggling figures frantically
endeavOring to reach the deck. Shots
were fred, the bullets ,whistling
through the opening, the flare lighting
up the black depths below, revealing
vaguely a mass of frantic men staring
up, and cursing us fiercely In dozen
languages; but. in spite of them, we
clamped the hatch down tight, and
locked it securely into place with an
iron bar.
Watkins needed no help; he had ms
party rounded up. To my orders they
were driven into the cooks galley and
a guard stationed at the door. Then
turned to the more serious work con.
fronting me in the forecastle. We
must have men enough to sail the
bark, and If I was to command them,
! must first Of all prove my courage
and enforce authority. The whole sue
cess Of our effort depended on this.
whats going on below?" asked.
"Cursin' mostly" answered Carter,
peering down through slight uptilt-
ing of the scuttle. "They don't just
know what's happening yet, but the
big niger seems ter be raisin' hell.
Carlson is holdin' him back with his
cutlass."
"Open up and let me down."
I fell. rather than clambered along
the rungs Of the ladder, coming to
my feet on deck In the midst of a
group Of angry men. The light was so
poor I could scarcely see their faces
babel Of voices greeted me, and more
than one hand gripped me fiercely as
the excited owner yelped demand to
know what in hell we were up to. l
roughly cleared space, aided by Carl
sons cutlass. and fronted them. Tow
ering above them all, his black ape
like face, distorted with rage, 1 dis
tinguished the giant Cochose, his i'm
mense hands grasping wooden bar
ripped from a bunk. Plainly enough
he was the leader. If was to rule,
this black brute must be conquered
at the very start, conquered by my
own hands, and in the presence of his
mates.
"Stand back there lads" said stern
ly. "Pll explain all that has happened
presently. but first am going to lick
that black within an inch of his life.
Step out of there. Cochose."
He came grinning widely, balancing
the heavy club.
"You mean me. sab? You all think
yer kin lick me?"
"Yes. think so; Til try 1t anyway.
Here Carlson, take this pistol and
sheath knife. If anyone interferes
shoot him. All 1 ask is fair play.
Drop that club, Cochose, and throw
away your knife. You and l will fight
this out with bare hands,"
His dull brain worked slowly, and
he stared at me, his eyes ugly. His
silence and lack of response, awoke a
growl from the impatient circle of
men behind. One fellow kicked the
club out of his hand contemptuously,
and another plucked the knife from
his belt.
"You big skulker," the latter said,
with an oath of derision, "go on, and
fghti"
"What for All fight this white man?
Ah don't even know who he is"
"Then I'll tell you. Estada is dead !;
Manuel is a prisoner. I'm in COM
mand Of this bark. You are a big,
boasting curl l heard what you said
when I came down, and now I'll make
you prove it."
! took two steps forward. my ad-