The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-05-23

In keeping the upper deck free of
the crew he was seeking to lessen the
risk of sudden attack. There was al
ways danger that men who had been
so much at sea would notice he was
not steering a southern course, and
his arbitrary ruling about keeping the
deck clear must have engendered mis-
giving among men whose natures were
given to suspicion end fear of the
motives too obvious TO them.
They would make q concerted rush
some night. Perhaps not all would
come by the easily watched compan-
ion. They would swarm over the
stanchions in the darkness and that
would be the end of Howard Betting
ton, painter of seascapeS.
Bob, on his way to the bridge,
paused a Mortified secokd when he
saw Sans twisted body. Under Cros-
by Todd's advice he had determined
to be very brusQue and unbending
with the doctor. He was to seek to
give the impression of one working
for the common good, but not to be
influenced by threats or show of
consideration.
Contrary to Todd's declaration that
the doctor would try and ingratiate
himself, there was no welcoming
smile
what do you know lbOut the COM
pass?" he was asked. 1t was humilat-
ing to admit that he knew nothing.
For almost an hour BettingtOn talked
to him. "You will take a few hours
at the wheel during the day. At night
you can sleep. Wake me up directly
you see face anywhere near. I've
forbidden this deck to every one ex-
cept Slivers and I'm far from trusting
him get"
"What would anyone wantW Bob
asked. He was still staunch in his
belief that Crosby Todd's suspicious
were correct ones.
ITO kill me and you first. After
that, break in down below. Look here,
Bob. I'm not in any mood for con-
versatiOn, but let me tell you this.
I'm to be obeyed absolutely. If Todd
comes looking up the companion and
| see him, shall shoot. If he comes
when I'm sleeping send him back; for
| shall most certainly discipline him."
When he saw Bob quail at this he
smiled. "What would you expect from
a desperate like me?"
When Slivers came up with a tray
Of food he was minded to be loqua-
cious. The cook and Metzger were
gambling Krause, Hammer, Mike and
Grammar, too, were playing. Only
KenZie and his hunkies were working.
"Tell Metzger to send some of them
up here-two only-to heave Sam over
the side"
Metzger had forgotten all about
Sam. Now ne recalled with sudden
pleasure that in Sans pockets was
gold enough to continue that game
and win back what Pereira had taken.
Hammer was sent on deck with Mike.
Hammer was instructed to remove the
gold. He reported that more en-
terprising person had been there first.
Infatuated. the engineer accused the
cook. 1t was we'll known that the
cook had very little and yet. before
luck turned his way, he had lost a
lot. Murder might have been done but
for Pereira admitting that what he
had he took from Augustus Condor,
whom he had caught robbing Sam.
Thus it was that Slivers, making
sandwiches, was seized upon and put
to the torture. He admitted quickly
that he had robbed Sam, but put the
amount at larger sum than it was.
Pereira thus had to pay back not only
all of Sans money, but nearly all his
winnings. MetZger, now serene in
triumph, would not allow the boy to
be hurt. But Slivers saw murder
written in Pereira's look. He aban-
doned his sandwiches and slipped off.
On deck he went straight to Bet
tington.
"The cooks going to murder me-"
he said, trying to smile. sd like to
stay up here. He's scared Of you"
"That might be managed if 1 could
trust you,' Bettington stifled the
boys protestations. "Talk makes no
impression on me. / want action.
You say the cook is going to murder
you. Why not beat him to it? I'm
not wanting you to kill him. Make
him chase you up here and I'll attend
to him. You've got to make him so
mad that he forgets it's against or
ders to come on deck"
The idea met with the approval of
the boy instantly. There was sport
in it. ind to be able to tease the
cook as long as he wanted to! To
bait him and make him rush enraged
to his fate! Slivers had no definite
idea why it was the surgeon espoused
his cause. He supposed it was the
result of some quarrel to which he
had not been witness.
Bob saw the doctor take coil of
rope and cross the main companion.
1t was as though a cat watched for
a mouse to come out of its hole.
Slivers found the cook in the store
room where the stock of wine was
kept. He clenched his fists and DARED
about the huge form of the cook as
he had seen favorite lightweight do;
his footwork was marvellous. He only
stopped when the cook, after the
pause rage and astonishment induced,
gave chase. Like a skillful decoy,
Slivers led Pereira to the companion
and then actually struck him a quick
blow in that great and proud middle.
AT the top of the steps Antonio da
Silva Pereira was seized with incred-
ible suddenness. He was tripped up.
The fall deprived him Of breath.
When he recovered it, he was neatly
bound hand and foot, d gag was thrust