Evening star., 1924-11-20
CONTINUED from Yesterdays Starr

was a frenziedly active hustle of
= some three-score men. BY the rail,
Immediately above and behind Lord
Julian, stood Capt. Blood in alterca-
ton with one-eyed giant, whose
head was swathed in d red cotton
kerchief, whose blue shirt hung
open at the waist. AS his lordship.
moving forward. revealed himself,
their voices ceased, and Blood turned
to greet him.
"Good-morning to you" he said,
and added: i've blundered badly,
so I have. 1 should have known
better than to come so close to
Jamaica by night But was in haste
TO land you. Come up here. I have
something to show you
Wondering, Lord Julian mounted
the companion as he was bidden.
Standing beside Capt. Blood, he
looked astern, following the indi-
cation of the captains hand. and
cried out in his amazement There,
not more than three miles away, was
land-an uneven wall of vivid green
that filled the western horizon And
n couple of miles this side of IT.,
bearing after them, came speeding
three great white ships.
They fly no colors, but they're
part of the Jamaica fleet" Blood
spoke without excitement, almost
WITH certain llSIleSSneSS w neH
dawn broke we found ourselves run
ming to meet them. We went about,
and it's been a race ever since. But
the Arabella's been at sea these four
months, and her bottoms too foul
for the speed were needing"
Wo1verstone hooked his thumbs
into his broad leather belt. and from
his great height looked down sar-
slonically upon Lord Julian, tall man
though his lordship was. so that
you're like to be in yet another sea-
fight afore we've done Wi ships, my
lord"
That's a point we were just ar
Euing," said Blood. For 1 hold
that were in no case to fight against
such odds"
The odds be damned" wolver-
stone thrust out his heavy jowl.
We've used to odds. The odds was
heavier at Maracaibo; yet we won
out. and took three ships. They
was heavier yesterday when we en-
gagged Don Miguel"
"Aye-but those were Spaniards."
And what better are these?-Are
ye afeard of a lubberly Barbados
planter? Whatever ails you, Peter?
I've never known ye scared afore."
A gun doomed out behind them.
"Thatrl be the signal to lie to-"
said Blood, in the same listless voice;
and he fetched a sigh.
Wolverstone squared himself de-
1iantly before his captain.
I'll see Col. Bishop in hell or ever
J lies to for him" And he spat. pre-
sumably for purposes of emphasis.
His lordship intervened.
On, but-by your leave-surely
there is nothing to be appre-
hended from Col. Bishop. Consider
ing the service you have rendered
TO his niece and to me. :"
Wolverstone's horse-laugh inter-
rupted him. "Hark to the gentle
mani he Knocked. "Ye don't know
Col. Bishop, that's clear. Not for
his niece, not for his daughter, not
FOR his own mother, would he forego
the blood what he thinks due to him.
A drinker of blood, he is. A nasty
beast. We knows, the cap'n and me.
We been his slaves"
But there is myself said Lord
Julian, with great dignity.
Wolverstone laughed again, where
at his lordship flushed. He was
moved to raise his voice above its
usual languid level.
Il assure you that my word counts
:1or something in England"
"Oh, aye-in England. But this
&in't England, damme."
Came the roar of second gun. and
q round shot splashed the water less
than half a cable's-length astern.
Blood leaned over the rail to speak
TO the fair young man Immediately
below him by the helmsmap at the
whipstaff.
bid them take in sail, Jeremy"
he said quietly. I'VE lie to-
But wolverstone interposed again.
Hold there moment. Jeremy"
he roared. "Wait!" He swung back
10 face the captain, who had placed
@ hand on his shoulder and was
Smiling, trifle wistfully.
Steady, Old Wolf! Steady" Capt
Blood admonished him.
STEADY. yourself, Peter. Ye've
gone mad. VIII ye doom US all to
hell out of tenderness for that cold
slip of a girl?'
Stop" cried Blood in sudden fury.
But Wolverstone would not stop.
'1t's the truth, you fool. It's that
cursed petticoat's making a coward
Gf you. It's for her that ye're afeard
s-and she. Col. Bishops niece! My God,
snan, yell have a mutiny aboard, and
I'll lead IT myself sooner than sur
render to be hanged in Port Royal"
Their glances met, sullen defiance
braving dull anger. surprise and pain.
There Is no question:" said Blood,
,'of surrender for any man aboard
save only myself. If Bishop can re-
pore to England that I am taken and
hanged. he will magnify himself and
at the same time crafty his personal
Sancor against me. That should
satisfy him. I'll send him a message
offering to surrender aboard his ship,
taking Miss Bishop and Lord Julian
with me, but only on condition that
the Arabella is allowed to proceed
unharmed. It's a bargain that he'll
accept. if know him at ALL
a 10
ed" retorted Wolverstone, and his
early vehemence was as nothing to
his vehemence now. "Yere surely
daft even to think of 1t, Peter"
Not so daft as you when you talk
of fighting that" He flung out an
arm as he spoke to indicate the pur-
suing ships, which were slowly but
surely creeping nearer. Before.
we've run another half mile we shall
be within range"
Wolverton swore elaborately, then
suddenly checked. Out Of the tail of
his single eye he had espied q trim
figure in gray silk that was ascend
ing the companion. So engrossed
Miss Bishop come from the. door OF
she passage leading to the cabin.
And there was something else that
those three men on the poop and Pitt
3mmediately below them had failed
TO observe. Some moments ago
Ogle, followed by the main body Of
his gun deck crew, had emerged
from the BOBBY hatch. to fall into
muttered, angrily vehement talk
with those who, abandoning the gun
rackIes upon which they were la
Even now Blood had no eyes for
Ahat HA furned to look at Miss