Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1930-03-14


'Let no message be sent. Smash
the instrument II necessary"
In twinkling Sam had hurled him
self into the wireless room. The hiss
ing was stilled. Then the two lads
were thrown violently out Bob rose
instantly, but Crosby Todd lay motion
| less. Hallett looked about him and
saw the sinister faces of those who
made up his crew. They had come
upon him unawares. The deck seemed
alive with them.
Todd rose painfully from the deck
and stood with Bob at the captains
side. These three opposed the rest,
conscious of the hazard which was in
volved, yet clinging to hope that
authority could quell Instruction.
Bettington stood apart from these
two groups. He had seen the coming
of tragedy when Graumann's drunken
| babble had turned Halletts justifiable
suspicion into certain knowledge. No
action or word of his could avert the
destiny he feared. He watched the
men grouping themselves behind
Clements. He could see that they
were awaiting his word.
Hallett, obstinate, unseeing and
blindly at the mercy of his own preju-
dices, showed, in this fearful moment,
his quality of courage. Not for a mo-
ment was he led to think of COM
promise. He was captain and would
not be lesser man.
by Cd" he cried. "this is mu-
tinyl"
The spectacle of Clements stirred
him into violent action.
"You grinning dock rat" he shouted,
1--WE got the right sort of medicine
for mutineers"
With that he pulled revolver from
his left-hand breast pocket and shot
the steward through the chest. The
little smiling man pitched forward on
his face.
Leary made a leap at his captain,
a Delaying pin appraised. But he was
not to catch Hallett so easily. Leary
fell across the body of his leader.
Back to the companion, boys" Hal
lett yelled.
Menacing the crowd with the
weapon, the three sought the COM
panion. 1t was Hallett's misfortune,
born Of his hatred to retreat, that he
fingered a few seconds too long. 1t
gave Sam time to pull the automatic
from Clements pocket and fire twice.
1t was a difficult shot for so short
barreled a weapon, and Bettington
thought the bullets must have gone
wide. He saw that as Sam leveled the
gun, Hallett recognized the danger
and turned.
"Well, Doc?" Sam demanded, when
Bettington had knelt by Clements.
"Not a chance" he returned. HE
was killed instantly"
None bothered about Leary, who
had followed his chief in death, as in
life. For the moment none realized in
the greater loss that there was no
other member of the yachts crew
competent to work out reckonings or
| set a course.
When Mrs. Railway at Bettington's
suggestion went below with Mary. she
experienced sudden nervousness
and uncertainty which she tried to
keep from the girl.
Very calmly she seated herself at
the grand piano and began to play.
at will be all right" she assured
Mary. zone of the men had been
drinking, that was ALL"
AS she spoke there were the sounds
of many steps, and men, upon whom
the women had not before cast their
eyes, came crowding one upon the
other. Only one looked at them. Mrs.
Railway shuddered at his gaze. 1t
was the insolent scrutiny to which
she had been subjected at her hus-
bands burial service. Metzger stood
there with what he felt was an atti-
tude that must impress them. His
eyes blazed with some internal ex-
citement. Sam had told him the fat
was in the fire. He took off his cap
with sweep. smiled and passed to
the upper deck.
"What a horrible man." Mary whis-
pered as he disappeared.
She had never seen such a high
color in her companions cheek.
Then two pistol shots rang out.
"Quick," said Mrs. Railway, 'they
will be coming this way"
Hardly had they crossed to the door
leading to the sleeping quarters of the
owner and guests, before two more
reports were heard. Hastily. they
closed the steel partition and waited.
Steps, hurried steps, were heard and
there was hammering on the door.
''It's Bob's voice." said Mary. She
opened the door and her brother,
Crosby Todd, and the captain entered.
"Mutinyl" said Bob. He felt him
self thrill as he uttered the word
which on shipboard may have so dis
astrous a meaning.