Part 10 (2/2)

”Are you and the others with 'in' Simms,” replied the mucker non-committally

Bony Sawyer, Red Sanders, Blanco, Wison, and two others drew in behind Billy Byrne

”We all's wid Billy,” announced Blanco

Divine and Barbara Harding stood a little apart Both were alarmed at the sudden, hostile turn events had taken Simms, Ward, and Theriere were the only members of the party armed Each wore a revolver strapped about his hips All were still dripping froe in the ocean

Five men stood behind Skipper Simms and Ward, but there were two revolvers upon that side of the argument Suddenly Ward turned toward Divine

”Are you armed, Mr Divine?” he asked

Divine nodded affirmatively

”Then you'd better coht need you to help put down this mutiny,” said Ward

Divine hesitated He did not knohich side was more likely to be victorious, and he wanted to be sure to be on the winning side Suddenly an inspiration came to him

”This is purely a matter to be settled by the shi+p's officers,” he said ”I aer if you like--I have no interest whatever in the matter, and shall not take sides”

”Yes you will,” said Mr Ward, in a low, buttone ”You're in too deep to try to ditch us now If you don't stand by us we'll treat you as one of the h with theet”

Divine was about to reply, and the nature of his ansas suggested by the fact that he had already taken a few steps in the direction of Siirl behind him

”Larry,” she said, ”I know all--your entire connection with this plot

If you have a spark of honor or manhood left you will do what little you can to retrieve the terrible wrong you have done ive you my word of honor that I shall take my own life if that is the only way to thwart your plans in that direction, and so as the fortune can never be yours it see would be to try and save me from the terrible predicament in which your cupidity has placedover and placing yourself at Mr Theriere's disposal He has promised to help and protect me”

A deep flush mounted to the irl he had so grievously wronged--for the life of hiaze bent upon the ground walked quickly toward Theriere

Ward was quick to recognize the turn events had taken, and to see that it gave Theriere the balance of poith two guns and nine uns and seven irl would naturally gravitate since Divine, an old acquaintance, had cast his lot with it; nor had the growing inti and Theriere been lost upon him

Ward knew that Simms was an arrant coward, nor was he hi, man-to-man encounter such as must quickly follow any attempt upon his part to uphold the authority of Siue and trickery were , and so he was quick to alter his plan of can the instant that it became evident that Divine had elected to join forces with the opposing faction