Part 29 (1/2)
”Don't do anything rash,” implored the engineer, who knew how things stood. ”The rest of the crew are with them and we'll have a general mutiny on our hands if you precipitate trouble.”
The only answer was a roar of rage from the hunted man, about whom Uncle Sam was weaving a fine-meshed wireless net.
He swung down the steps from the bridge to the main deck with the agility of an ape. The captain, who also knew how matters stood, turned to the engineer and the mate.
”You fellows better get your guns,” he said; ”there's trouble coming now.”
Suddenly the slender, graceful form of Jarrold's niece appeared on the bridge.
”Oh, what is it? What is the matter?” she implored.
”It's nothing, Miss Jarrold,” began the captain, in a tone intended to pacify the half-hysterical girl. ”You see--”
The sharp crack of a pistol shot cut him short. Following the shot, came a riot of savage cries and shouts.
The captain wasted no more words but, followed by his officers, all armed with revolvers, ran forward.
”That madman has spilled the fat now,” he cried, as they rushed toward the forecastle. The sounds proceeding from it resembled the uproar from a den of wild beasts.
CHAPTER x.x.xVI
ADRIFT
c.u.mmings, like the rank coward that he was, had run for his cabin just behind the pilot house when the inferno broke loose. He was cowering in it with ashen cheeks when Miss Jarrold appeared in the doorway.
”Go away! Go away!” screamed Ralph, in an agony of fright. ”The crew has mutinied. They'll kill us all. Oh, dear!”
”You coward!” said the girl, with flas.h.i.+ng eyes, drawing her figure up to its full height. ”Have you got a pistol?”
”Yes, there's one in the drawer there,” stuttered Ralph.
With cool, firm hands, the girl took out the weapon.
”What are you going to do?” mewed Ralph fearfully.
”Help my uncle. You know what danger is on his track. Those men must go back to the furnaces.”
”Oh, we'll all be killed,” repeated Ralph tremulously; ”or, if we're not killed, we'll be caught by a war s.h.i.+p. The air is full of messages about us. Scout cruisers from Vera Cruz, and war craft from other places are closing in all around us.”
The girl bit her lip and turned a trifle pale.
”What are they saying?” she demanded.
”I can't tell. The messages are all in code, but I can catch the name of this yacht all the time.”
The bulky figure of the captain suddenly appeared. The girl looked at him inquiringly. There was an expression on his bluff face that she could not fathom.
”Miss Jarrold, I have some unpleasant news for you,” he said.