The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-12-22


Dyck had proved him just and capable.
He had rlgidly insisted on gun pfac-
lice; he had keyed up the marines to
u better spirit. and churlishness Ind
been promptly punished. He was. hi
effect. What the sailors called
rogue or "tant one'-seldom
smiling. gaunt ~ face but fearless of
eye and with n body free from fatigue.
As the weather grew warmer and
the days longer. and they drew pear 10
the coast Of Jamaica, stir of excite
mpnt was shown.
YOU'D like 10 know what I'm going
to do. Michael. l SUPPOSE said Dyek
one morning. as he drank his coffee
and watched the sun creeping up the
sky. well, in three days we shall
know what's to become Of us. and !
have no doubt or fear This ships
rebel. buf its returning 10 duty. We've
shown tbrm how II ship can be run
will good food and drink and fair denl-
Ing and, please Coil we'll have sone
work la 10 HOW that belongs to II man
of-war'
"Sir. know what YOU mean TO do
replied Michael You mean 10 get
all of IFS oil by giving yourself up
well. some one has to pay for what
we've done Michael" A dark ruth
less lighi came into Dyck's eyes.
"Some ones gol Ia pay" A grim smile
crossed his face. "We'Ne done the for
hidden thing. we mulnied and taken
To tho open SEA. We we're fired ON by
The other nnliny ships, and that will
help our sailors. nj it wont help me. i
I'm the lender We ought, of course,
To have taken refuge with the nearest
squadron of the kings ships We'll, I've
run my luck. and IN hive to pay"
He scratched his cbin with a thumb
MALTA permanent physical trait. You
see. the government has pardoned all
the sailors, and will hang only the
leaders. | expect Parker Is hung al
ready. We'll, I'm the leader on the
Ariadne. i'fn taking His ship straight
To his majesty's Wcst Indian fleet, In
thorough discipline, and III hand II
over we'll found. we'll manned, well of
ficercd, on condition that all 90 free
except myself. came aboard com
mon sailor, n quota man, prison
bird, pPnniless. Well. have | shown
that | can run ship? Have J learned
the game of control? During the
weeks we've been nj sra, bursting
along have proved mysclf1'
Michael smiled.
"Whal did say To You the irsl
night on board, sir? Didn't | say
they'd make m officer of you when
they found out what brains You hadt
BY 81. Patrick, you've made yourself
your iron hind has held HE thing To
sethera You've got great head, too
sir"
Dvck looked nj him with face In
" hich the far future showed.
Michael. Eve been lucky. I've been
well served. 1t was n grent thing.
making Tho now lentcnants from the
There never was u bet
FER lot bh board ship
Jiefore the day was over the whole
ship WAS alive with anticipation, FOR,
in the far distance could be seen The
dark blue and purnlsh shadows which
told of land; and this brought the
IrudS Vi all 10 the end of their jour
ney, with thoughts Of the crisis near
Word had been passed that all on
board were considered saie--all eX-
cept the captain who had Unanswered
them 10 the entrance Of the Caribbean
sea. Had he been of their own origin,
they would not have placed so much
credence In the rumor; but coming as
he did of mn ancient Irish family, al
though hc had been in jail for killing,
the traditional respect for the word
of gentleman Influenced thcm. When
a man like Fercns, on the one hand,
and mutiurcr whose fingers had
been mutilatrd by Dyck in the chan
mel, on the othcr-When these agreed
10 bend themselves To the rule of
usurpcr, some Idea of Calhouns pow
er may be got
ON this day. with the glimmer of
land In the far distance, the charges
Of all the guns were renewed. Ais"
word was passed that at any moment
the ship must he cleared for action.
Down in the cockpit the tables we're
got ready by the surgeon and the lob
lolly boys; the magazines were opened,
aud the guards were put on duty.
10 the right of the Ariadnc was the
coast of Cuba; 10 the left was the
coast of Haiti, both Invisible to the
eye. Although the knowledge that
they were nearing land had already
given the officers and men feeling of
citation, the feeling was greatly inten-
Sitied as they came through the Turf
Island passage, which is Kind of
gateway to the Windward passage be
tween Cuba and Haiti. The glory of
the sunny. tropical world was upon the
ship and upon the sea; 1t crcpt into
the blood of every man, and the sweet
summer weather gave confidence to
their minds. II was Il day which only
1hose who knew tropical and semi
tropical seas can understand. 1t had
dhc sense of soaking luxury.
In his cabin. with the ships chart
~