Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1930-03-21

81 shall not take them to LImon. II
did | should most certainly be going
to my own death, for they'd knock me
on the head and pitch me overheard
directly land came In sight. I'm going
to take chance that they will pass
their days In gambling and drink.
They won't come to take fresh air.
They will drink, gamble. eat. sleep
and fight"
"Where will you take usT Mrs.
Railway asked. Her spirits were ris-
ing and she looked about her in tri-
umph. He had indicated himself.
Savannah, probably. shall try to
get there in the early morning when
they are too far gone in liquor to see
the landmarks"
won't they find you've changed
your course?" Mary asked timidly.
"That's the only possible danger that
see. There's a deck hand named
Mike at the wheel now. l shan't let
him take any more tricks at it. shall
cCilu MN OClOW " NuIOuSt WIFI ln6
rest. We ought to be able to make
Savannah in forty-elght hours, If the
men in the engine room do their
share"
''You can't be at the wheel two
days and two nights on end" Mrs.
Railway exclaimed.
81 can, and WILL" he said cheerfully.
81 think" he added deliberately, that
l can succeed II meet no opposition
here" He looked across the table to
Crosby Todd.
Surprising they do find out you're
double-crossing them?" Bob Unwin
said, with feverish interest.
more bloodshed," he answered
goomily; the thought oppressed him.
He rose heavily to his feet. II must
impress on you to remain here and
run no risks; here you are safe. Out
side, can't answer for your safety"
There's nothing to eat" said Bob
Unwin. He realized he was hungry.
"I'll get something" Bettington an
swered. Don't open the door to any
one but me-"
A few minutes later they heard a
strange voice in the corridor. 1t was
Mike aiding him to remove the cap
tain's body, Todd had been much at
tached to his uncle, who had brought
him up since his father went down
with his ship at sea, almost a score
Of years since There was a certain
boyish, passionate loyalty in his re-
gard for the dead man, which in
creased his suspicion Of the doctor
into some harder quality of hatred.
81 don't believe a word of his lies"
Todd cried. Mrs. Railway, can't you
see he's deceivlng you? He knew
about these men and yet he pretended
1t was all news. How can we tell it
doesn't suit his purpose to hold US
Savannah"
"What are we to do?" Mrs. Railway
asked.
Todd had no answer. II suppose
we've got to wait till he's decided
what to do with u.s."
''What dare they do?" Mary asked
She had sat silent all the while. When
her question was unanswered she
knew what was in their thoughts II
knew something dreadful would hap
pen on this trip" she said. with a
quietness that amazed them. ~ had
a presentment of evil. l have been
afraid of that man they call Sam
ever since l came on board. And now
he is practically in command. How
could you and Bob stand against him?
He could kill you, easily, with his
fists" She buried her face in her
hands. "And when you two are gone,
what would become of me? I'm not
afraid, dear. shall not weaken when
the moment comes"
Mrs. Railway put her arms about |
the girls shoulder. Her eyes were
moist.
"Oh, my DEAR she said, you
mustn't give up hope. If only you
were not so prejudiced against Doctor
Waite you wouldn't feel so. am |
certain he will protect us. None of |
you know him as do. If you did.
you would never condemn him. ! |
know we are in danger, but he's stand.
ing between the crew and u.s."
She felt utterly unable to give rea.
sons which would convince the group
around her. Every action and word |
Of the doctors could be distorted into
something sinister and threatening.
She could not communicate to them
the sense Of security his protection |
afforded.