Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1930-03-28
The Mutiny ofths Albatross

became more methodical. He saw
that he must abandon this desire to
beat Bettington to the deck with his
flying fists and get body hold.
1t was while one of his accustomed
habit channels was damned for a mo-
ment by alcohol, and he paused for
the fraction Of moment to think Of
forgotten hold, that Bettington rec
ognized his opportunity. With his
right hand he seized Sans left wrist,
swung him around a little and then
grabbed the sailors right wrist while
they were back to back, and then,
with mighty strain, leaned forward
and flung him clear over his shoulder.
Sam fell with terrific violence, his
head striking a rail. He lay there
motionless, his head twisted Queerly
on its thick and sinewy pillar. The
fate he had promised others was his
own.
Metzger walked quickly over and
looked down at the dead man.
ale forced it on me-" Bettington
exclaimed. "You are witness of that.
had no key"
Metzger looked at the doctor with a
singular satisfaction.
81 saw you kill him." said he, land l
shall tell the others what 1 witnessed"
He wondered how he could turn this
to his own advantage. Accustomed to
lying and suspecting others Of dishon-
or haliar.n
words. OF course, he had the keys
and would go below to be caressed
and praised by Evelyn Railway for his
victory. The thought was unbearable,
engaging.
Metzger's knife flashed out. Moth
ing should keep the key from him.
But as he raised the knife Betting
toms fist caught him on the temple
and knocked him down. Before he
could regain his weapon the doctor
had tossed it into the ocean. Metzger
sat up on his launches for few Sec
onds; he cursed himself for leaving
the revolver below.
''Your life is worth nothing" he
cried angrily, clambering to his feet.
in two minutes you will be as Sam
is and shall 60 down and console her
for your loss"
Bettington watched him race down
the companion calling loudly for help.
Obviously two minutes seemed a lib
eral computation as an estimate of
the doctors life span.
He made what haste he could to
the barred door and called for instant
admission. To remain outside was to
be killed. To join the imprisoned four
offered immediate respite, even though
it might be brief one.
Mrs. Railway opened the door; he
darted inside and barred it. She
looked at him in horror. He had for
gotten that his face was bruised and
bleeding.
A moment later there was a con-
fused sound of shouting and a fusil-
lade of bullets struck the steel bulk
head.
'sYou see how perfectly they trust
me-" he commented.
He turned his head to see Crosby
Todd hurrying toward him.
"They were after the DOCTOR" Mrs.
Railway said.
81 should feel happier If I thought
that l was the only one needed" Bet
tington said soberly. He lowered his
voice as he saw Mary and her broth
err. "They are outside ravening like
wolves"
"Can they get in?" Evelyn Railway
asked.
81 doubt it," he said, with an air of
cheerfulness. mot tonight, anyway"
To the four he was confronting the
weather seemed suddenly to have be-
come rough. There was perceptibIe
difference in the motion of the Alba
tross.
"She isn't steering" Bettington ex-
planned. "She's wallowing in the
trough of the sea, but there's no dan
ger yet"
"Why did you leave the wheel If
you are the only man capable of tax
ing charger" Todd demanded.
Because a dead steersman would
have been equally useless. Don't you