The Ely miner., 1930-05-09

rible predicament."
"Have you the gall to be sorry my
uncle killed him?" Todd said angrily.
There was disloyalty in allowing such
remark to go unprotected.
"Yes," Bettington said. "That un-
lucky shot let HI loose. Clements
controlled his men absolutely. If he
were alive we could count on getting
back to New York unharmed. The
men are afraid of touching at any
port now where our flag flies, because
they know Jail yearns for them. They
propose to take the yacht to Limon in
Costa Rica. There they'll try to sell
her. You understand that if they get
to Limon we shant have a chance
We are four to ten. They are armed
and we are cooped up here without
food. 1t will take us almost two
weeks to get to IIimon."
Evelyn Radway shuddered as the
image of Metzger impressed itself
upon her. Now she Knew why he had
stared with such insOlent triumph.
She had no doubt In her mind that
the doctor had put the matter as
mildly as he could to avoid terrifying
Mary.
"What must we do?" she asked
81 have made terms with them," he
answered "They have nobody aboard
who can work out reckoning now
the captain and first officer are gone.
1t happens | am the exception. ! said
| would take her into Limon If you
were unmolested."
"What will happen TO us at Limon?"
she demanded. 81 don't like the idea
of that"
"Nor do l." Todd cried "Tll tell
you what will happen. We shall be
at the mercy of men like that savage
beast Sam who frigntens Mary"
The three looked at Kim as though
he had betrayed them.
Bettington tried to be patient with
his explanations.
81 shall not take them to LimOn. If
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 a 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 us?" Mrs.
Radway asked. Her spirits were ris-
ing and she looked about her in tri-
umph. He had vindicated 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
l see. There's deck hand named
Mike at the wheel now. | shan't let
him take any more tricks at 1t. l shall
send him below to carOuse with the
rest. We ought to be able to make
Savannah in forty-eight 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.
Radway exclaimed.
81 can, and will" he said cheerfully.
II think" he added deliberately. that
can succeed if | meet no opposition
here" He looked across the table to
Crosby Todd
"Supposing they do find out you're
double-crOssing them?" Bob Unwin
said, with feverish interest
More bloodshed." he answered
gloomily; 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.
''Tll get something" Bettington an
swered. Don't open the door to any
one but me-"
A few minutes later they heard
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 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 word of his lies"
Todd cried. Mrs. Radway. can't you
see he's deceiving you? He knew
about these men and yet he pretended
it was all news. How can we tell II
doesn't suit his purpose to hold us
here and pretend he's taking us to
Savannah"
"What are we to do?" Mrs. Radway
asked
Todd had no answer. 81 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. u
knew something dreadful would hap
pen on this trip" she said. with a
quietness that amazed them. 81 had
a presentment of evil | have been
afraid Of that man they call Sam
ever since | 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. Radway put her arms about
the girls shoulder. Her eyes were
moist.
"Oh, my DEAR" she said, you
mustn't give up hope. Ii only you
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