, 1926-03-31
CHAPTER IX-Continued

10
""Tis true as gospel, Peter" I
Eroaned. 81 hoped to the last this
ridiculous plan of Murray's would fall
through in some manner. but the man
has a damnable determination"
ia" agreed Peter. 81 tink he
takes der treasure ship, Bob. Dots
easy"
Easy? I see not howl"
ia, 1t is easy to take her. But
after comes his troubles. Much treas
ure is bad for pirates. We hafe
troubles after. Suppose we get oudt
tonight. Suppose we get oudt and
back to der james. Ja?"
| looked around me skeptically at
the heavy %planking and stout timbers
of the sides and for'ard buIkhead.
at can't he lone. 'Twould take a
James will be sailing in five or six
hours
"Neen," said Peter. I'VE get oudt
any time, we get oudt."
"How?' | demanded.
He picked up the lnnthOrn and led
me for'ard to the bulkhead. The light
showed that one of the oaken planks
was slightly sprung. leaving an lntinl-
tesimal crack between its edge and the
uppermost of its fellows.
Are you planning to pry that OF
with your f~inger-nails?" | taunted him.
"Neen." he answered, and conducted
me 10 a corner whence the rats scud-
ded as we approached.
II ..g.-zI lit Co.. ,Av.- -av.a
rubbish and turned up several long,
wrought-iron spikes, such as are used
TO bolt together the heavier ship
timbers.
Dots plenty" he said.
/ could hardly control the gush of
relief that welled up in me.
81 believe it is" | whispered. But
oh. Peter. there is such little time -
Enough" he grunted. Come! We
begin"
We listened at the bulkhead for
signs of life on the opposite side. but
not a sound came through TO us. al
though the clamor on the upper deck
and in the poop cabin seeped into
our dungeon from overhead. Twas
stlhingly hot, and Peters first care
was TO strip of his buckskln shirt and
l~eggings.
1--WE got to SWIM" he said, cycling
them regretfully. "YOu don't need
clothes tonight, Bob"
So I followed his example, and we
fell TO work with our spikes upon the
sprung plank, the sweat pouring in
rills of moisture from our half-naked
LaAF.. ~ rrtrda fp,1a aTFEVf.. T..
our greasy fingers rs we pried and
pushed and fought for every inch of
space betwixt the plank and the up
right 1t was nailed to. Peter did all
the work.
As the last nail yielded to Peters
shoulder the thin clangOr Of the bell
of the Royal james stole down to us
out of the night. -Four times II rang
two O'Clock
Get oudt. Bob whispered Peter.
] ~wrlggled through the gap in the
bulkhend. and he passed the lnnthorn
after me. Its flame was burning low,
but l had sufficient light to determine
that | stood in Il stores-hOld crammed
with casks Of rum, salt meat and
ships biscuit. A door in It's for'ard
bulhllthu leu 10 NNotUer nOlu OF lle
orlop deck. where were Il hatch and
ladder leading up TO the gundeck. !
crept ms far as the foot OF the ladder
and listened 10 the snores of the
scores of men who slept in hammocks
Hlung between the great guns OF the
battery. That way lay our only path
OF escape.
| returned to Peter In n mood that
was none too cheerful but he was
1aalready Mt work with bis spike. hiss.
StAg like a kettle on the boil as he
nrodded away with It's blunted point.
] wns able TO be Of more assistance
10 him this time. since from the far
fher side 'twns possible to exert n
greater leverage, once the plank was
sprung loose. Yet the james sounded
seven bells before we were success
full. Peter Rrunted his satisfaction.
ave got time" he said. "whoof
So much | sweat | slide me trough
I Got hole"
He WIS stripped to the hun, md his
1|nk- hairless body was all a-gllsten