, 1924-10-01

suffer, too. 1t would be better simply
to lock the cabin up and say nothing
except, perhaps, to a chosen few and
to search the ship quietly. Carr,
watching, read his thoughts like a
book and felt his heart sink. 1t sank
still lower as he saw Price side to-
ward the door. If he gave no alarm,
the men would not rush aft, and the
fugitives' chance of escape would be
gone.
Slowly Price retreated toward the
door. In another momen he would
be gone. Carr wrlthed in impotence.
He was unarmed, and Price held a
cooked revolver in his hand. While
he hesitated the man backed through
the door and shut 1t behind him.
The Carr saw his chance-a des-
perate one, but still a chance, better
than waiting to be hunted down like
a rat In the hold. Before the door
had fairly closed he sprang out of his
hiding place and ran toward 1t. AS
he passed the table he caught the
cloth over 1t and jerked 1t and all
upon II to the floor. The tin basin
changed as 1t struck. Before the echoes
died away Carr was at the doorway,
behind the leaf. waiting.
None too soon. AS he faced round,
back to the wall, Price burst in. re-
volver raised. Beyond the edge of the
swinging door he rushed, and, as he
did so. Carr flung himself upon him,
grasping his wrist with a grip that
twisted the pistol from his hand.
The pistol exploded as 1t fell. The
bullet went harmlessly. but the dam
& was done. The alarm was given.
No time for half measures now. With
all his strength Carr tripped the ex-
steward and drove his head against
the floor.
The crack n through the room
and Carr felt the man muscles re-
lax and grow flaccid in his grip. He
sprang to his feet and jumped across
the ROOM. s%natching up the pistol as
he went. Into the slit he scrambled
and drew the panel shut, hearing be-
hind him. in the wardroom, the rush
of scurrying feet as it closed.
He did not delay to watch the scene.
He heard the uproar as the men burst
in, and that was enough. He had no
time to lose. II was now or never.
Scarcely touching the narrow cleats
he shot downward to the storeroom.
Quick !" he ordered. Follow me ~.
The glow of an electric torch Glove
the gloom and showed hin beside the
door. 1t opened: he caught Nellie's
hand; and the torch went out. ''The
way is clear" he painted. 81 don't
dare to use a light. Follow me-"
Through the pitchy darkness he
dragged the girl on. Behind followed
Captain Bunker.
Overhead, as the three ran forward,
they heard the stamping Of racing feet
md guessed that their plan was sue
ceeding well.
Abruptly Carr stopped. Overhead
showed the glimmer Of stars, brilliant
against a background Of velvety black
ness. "Stairsi Careful" he NUT
tered. and took a step upward, draw
ing Nellie after him.
Quickly but cautiously the three
mounted to the deck. The moon was
shining just above the top OF the
mountain. By Its light he saw that
the deck was deserted-not a man
was visible. But from aft rose an up
roar that was music In the ears of the
fugitives.
An oblong OF glimmerlng ocean
showed where the cargo port cut the
black bulwarks, and TO this the three
hurried. From It the lowered gang
way ran down to the tapping water.
Carr s2rang to It and stood aside.
Quick, Nellie,'' he commanded. and
the girl ran lightly down. Now. cap
tain" and Bunker followed more pom
derously.
Carr turned for a last look along
the deck. Just In time. for with a yell
n man precipitated himself out OF no
where and hurled himself forward.
Carr dropped then, as the unable
to stop. hurtled over him. he caught
the fellows legs and added his own
strength to the impetus.
Not waiting to look. for the crash
of the mnn's head against the bulwarks
Ind told him all he needed to know,
Carr leaped down the gangway, Just ms
a yell from aft told that the mutineers
Ind seen and guessed. Into the boat
he leaped, driving II from the side by
the impact OF his landing. Then he
dropped on the vacant thwart behind
Captain Bunker and snatched up the
idle oars. "Pull. captain Pullf' he
cried. In uncomfortable excitement.
simultaneously the sharp crack OF n
riae sounded and a bullet whistled