Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1936-10-02
CHAPTER TX

before realized how awkward he must
look on a fitting deck.
Three feet behind Bennington he
paused and took grip on his shaking
nerves. He raised the machete-and
suddenly he knew his blood was
water. Though Bennington had made
three attempts on his life that night,
though there was in his hand the
power to kill the other in his tracks,
Hawley could not summon the nerve.
AS he swung at Bennington, some
force stronger than his own turned
the blade in his fingers. The flat Of
the machete struck the other on the
side of the head. He screamed once,
as a pig screams when a knife is
driven into his throat, and collapsed
on the deck. He rolled over on his
face and lay still.
Hawley whipped up the blade again
and took step toward the black man
at the wheel. The negro captain re-
garded Hawley coolly; he did not
move.
"Don't make mistake" the man at
wheel said. "This ees not my fight.
I only hire my schooner under char
ter. Your trouble weeth Bennington
are no affair of mine."
you're taking orders from him"
the lieutenant snapped.
The black man shrugged, and look
ed down at the motionless form on
the deck.
perhaps take no more order from
heem."
Hawley considered that for NOM
ent or two. "See here" he said.
you're mixed up in a pretty sorry
business" He thought fast and lied
for all that was in him. "There are
people in Colon who know I am on
this boat. If I'm not back there to-
day, you'll find couple of gunboats
after you. They may not be able to
find you down among the islands, but
where will you be when you run out
VI PIONIOlOlI0 anu nave W pun 4k1IO
port? Think it over"
81 have theenk it over already"
"WeIl"?
81 put back to Colon eef you say
the word. I been seeck of thees bust
ness for long time. Me, am no
saint, but I don't like murder"
0N09 about &hn% Ia
tried to kill me in the cabin?"
81 know notheeng about that. Can
be blame eef passenger bride one
of my crew." =
Legally, you are responsible for
the conduct Of your crew."
The captain looked thoughtfully in
to the pinnacle. Hawley was con-
i; scious that the members of the crew
had gathered around them in a si-
lent circle. The situation, he felt
was ticklish but by no means hope
less.
"Look. Look here!" the negro said
finally. "Eef I take you and the two
lady back to Colon, weel you agree to
say notheeng about that trouble cen
the cabin?"
"That's fair enough. I'll agree.
Without a word the captain spun
the wheel to port. AS the schooner
started to answer the helm, he look
ed up and gave a terse command in
Spanish. The crew faded into the
darkness.
And still Hawley was not sure of
him. "Have you a gum" he asked
eyes"
"Will you give it to me?"
Without word the black man reach
ed into his pocket, hauled out an an
Gent pearlhandled revolver and pass
it over. Hawley "broke" it anC
found it fully loaded. He started to
put it into his pocket.
"Look Quit" the negro shouted.
The air was suddenly electric with
danger.
Hawley swung around and saw Ben.
nington sitting up on the deck. The
iatter's right hand raised in SLOW
arc and fire spat at Hawley's face
The lieutenant whipped up the revol
yer and pulled the trigger three times
Bennington, with a feeble cry, col
lapsed in an enert heap.
Hawley stepped up to him and tool
as. is gun. Bennington's eye.
shone with venom as he stared VI
helplessly.
"Where'd I get you?" the lieuten
ant asked.
"My right chest. Twice in tn
legs"
Captain, get lantern and Civ,