The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-09-08
Chapter a
THE SLAUGHTER

THE SLAUGHTER
THERE was singing sensation
in Collins left like the
sting Of a burn. Strange! He heard
Buck O'Mara cropping, stumbling up
the companionway. then the rattle
Of the cabin door as it was shaken
viciously; then Buck o'Mara's
snarI:
Locked! You, there BENNY"
There was no answer.
What's the matter?" demanded
Buck O'Mara sharply. Strike q
match. Clarke, and see what's
wrong with him"
Colin obeyed. Benny Malone was
still on the settee. only he was
slumped there now with his head
sagging to one side. Colin crossed
to the settee and bent over the other
while the match burned itself ont.
well. what about it?" Buck
o'Mara raped out. rs he hurt
bad?"
Colin felt his lips witch as he
answered.
He's got his, he said tersely.
Buck O'Mara, lighting a match in
turn. came down the companionway
into the cabin.
That's a tough break!" he ex-
claimed with q bitter oath. Benny
was one OF the best OF them. But
II there's any knowing anything
where he's gone. he'll know that he's
the last man Dollaire will ever put
on the spot. which would help some.
You hurt?"
NO." said Colin: nothing to talk
about. Got little Craze on the arm,
maybe. but that's all. How about
your
"I'm all right" Buck o'Mara re-
piled gruffiy. But you didn't get
that lamp out any too soon. The
last slug hit the floor about an inch
from my head. Thanks. Clarke. !"
"Aw," said Clarke Lunn mod.
estly. shat was nothing. Buck"
And then Buck O'Mara laughed
out in ugly iubiIation.
1T won't take longl" he promised
grimly. 'The boys'll let US out in q
minute or two. Listen!"
But Colin had already been lis.
tenihg. Almost from the moment
Dollaire had slammed the cabin
door he had been subconsciUusly
aware. while he had been primarily
occupied with Buck OMara and the
dead man on the settee. of medley
OF ominous sounds from the deck
above.
He gave his whole attention to
them now. They were the mufied
sounds Of shrieks. and yells. and
curses. and whimpering cries--and
On almost constant rat-tat.tat like
che mufEled roll Of snare drums.
But the sounds were growing mo-
uentarily fainter, and presently, as
he listened. they died away.
And then the cabin door opened,
and lantern showed at the head Of
the companionway.
"Yo1 down there. Buck7" Q voice
called out.
"yes.s Buck o'Mara answered..
"Who.s thatls
s'Smudge Kilrea. Come on up."
Colin followed Buck 0'Mara to
the deck. Three men stood there
IN the lantern Iight-Smudge XIII
rea. Klengell. and Geordie Napp. In.
stinctisely Collins glance travelled
around the deck. A few lanterns
glimmered at various points, but
the comparative darkness was
merciful. Here and there he could
discern sprawled shapes. He did not
look again. He did not want to see
more.
"wenfa demanded Buck o'Mara
CURLY. whats the taliy?"
~All Of them.s grinned Smudge
Kilrea. sand mono OF as"
"You,re sure you got Doliaire?"
~Every one. | tell You. Sure. we
got Dollaire! But how'd he make HIS
getaway from the cabins"
DUCK o'MARA lighted a cigarette
~ meditatively.
@He got his gun on a neat play"
he said quietly: ''rll give him credit
for that--and he got Benny"
AThe hell no dlds- Geordlo Napp
sucked IN his breath. chats.
"Yes: II ISL Buck o'Mara broke
On. his voice gone suddenly hard.
"oniy don't want TO talk about It.
You fellows got your orders from
Heimie for the rest Of the nlghtg-
Sure said Klenxeil, eve know