Part 51 (1/2)

His hands, as well as Parmalee's, went up promptly. One of the seamen, laughing a little, came forward and searched them both, taking away Drew's weapon. Parmalee had dropped his useless club.

The young men, so suddenly made captives by the mutineers, stood with their backs to the strong moonlight, their faces in the shadow. The moon was now sinking behind a b.u.t.tress of the volcano. As yet, neither had been recognized by their captors. But now Ditty came forward, and first of all thrust his face into that of Parmalee.

”Who the devil are you?” he demanded.

The young man lifted his head and stared into the mate's pale eye.

Ditty started back with a shriek.

”What--what---- Who is it?” chattered the mate. His henchmen gazed at him in amazement. Suddenly Ditty came forward again, and whirled Parmalee around so that he faced the sinking moon.

”Mr. Parmalee!” he whispered.

The latter smiled faintly.

”It's Parmalee, all right,” he said. ”You didn't expect to see me again, I imagine, Mr. Ditty.”

The sound of the man's voice seemed to rea.s.sure the mate. The other mutineers chattered their surprise. Finally Ditty, licking his dry lips, stammered:

”I--I thought that you--you were----”

”No thanks to you that I'm not drowned, Mr. Ditty, if that's what you mean,” said Parmalee bitterly. ”You tried your best to murder me.”

”Not me!” declared Ditty, with a gesture of denial, turning his single eye away from the other's accusing gaze. ”It was that swab, Drew, threw you overboard.”

”Liar,” declared Parmalee evenly. ”Drew lay on the deck unconscious from his fall. I was stooping to help him. Though you crept up behind me, I knew you when you seized me in your arms, you villain. And I hope to see you punished for it.”

Ditty, with a curse, would have struck Parmalee, but Drew stepped between them and received the blow intended for his comrade.

”If you must hit a man, hit one of your own size,” he said quietly.

”Drew! Drew himself!” shouted the mate, recognizing the second captive. ”The very one we wanted! Hi, bullies! we've got the whip-hand now. We've got the old man's right bower! An' him an' the gal an' Tyke Grimshaw will pay us our price for the freedom of this laddy-buck, to say nothin' of Parmalee. Bring 'em along!”

CHAPTER x.x.xIV

THE BATTLE IS ON

Helpless and almost hopeless, the two captives were led deeper into the forest paths. Drew realized that they were skirting the barren hillside and gaining a position nearer to the treasure seekers' fort.

Finally they saw a fire in the now dark wood, and soon came to a stockade. Several fallen trees formed this barrier, and in addition to the protection they afforded, a number of branches had been so arranged as to form an abattis. The work had been hastily done; but with determined men behind it, it would offer a formidable obstacle to an attacking party.

At a fire in the further end of the enclosure the mutineers were preparing their breakfast. Ditty went over and talked earnestly with some of his men, but finally broke off abruptly and came back to the prisoners, who had both been tied, wrist and ankle.

”So I've got you where I've wanted you at last, have I?” he taunted Drew. ”Little moonlight walks don't always pan out as you expect.”

Drew disdained to reply.

”You wont talk, eh?” the mate snarled, kicking him in the ribs with his heavy boot. ”Well, I know some cunnin' little ways of makin' people talk when I want 'em to. But I'm goin' to wait a while before I try 'em on you. I want somebody here to see you cringe and hear you howl.

Bless her pretty eyes, how she'll enjoy it!”