Part 25 (2/2)
Alderson turned to me.
”It's Williams, sir. Shall I let him in?”
”Yes.”
There came the crack of a rifle. Simultaneously Williams burst in on us.
”They're shooting at me, sir. I watched my chance to follow you.”
”You're an honest man?” I asked sharply.
”Of course I am, sir. Couldn't say so with all of them around me.”
”Good.” I gave Jimmie the key of our armory. ”Take Williams down and let him choose a revolver and a cutlas.”
I would have gone with him myself, but at that moment a voice had hailed the captain. Stepping from the saloon I saw Bothwell with a white handkerchief at the head of the stairway leading from the main deck.
”Envoy to former Captain Blythe from the crew,” I heard him say.
Crisp and clear sang the answer of our captain.
”My man, I don't know you. If my crew have anything to say let them send one of their own number. I don't deal with stowaways scalawags.”
”You'll deal with me if you deal with them. I've been elected captain in place of Mr. Blythe, deposed.”
”The devil you have! Bite on this, my man. I own this boat, every stick and ribbon of her. I'm going to be master here. If the men want to talk I'll name conditions. Let them bring you and Caine up here in irons and put their arms down on the deck. That will be a preliminary to any talk between me and them.”
”You speak large, Mr. Blythe.”
”_Captain_ Blythe, my man, and don't you forget it! Now tramp. Get back to your ruffians or I'll put a bullet through you.”
”Would you fire on a flag of truce?”
”I recognize no flag of truce in your hands. Look lively.”
”I've only got to say that I'll take pleasure in settling your hash for this,” Bothwell cried angrily.
”I'm not Mr. Mott. You'll not find it so easy to murder me. Move!”
Bothwell disappeared with a curse. I retired into the saloon.
Evelyn was standing near the door with a face in which I could read both anxiety and anger.
”Why do you expose yourself like that?” she cried.
”I wanted to see what was going on.”
”You'll be shot. Then what shall we do?”
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