Adventure, November 1915 — page 175: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

© pe tees Se ee A ee iad Gold at Sea —_— moment’s work would burst open the door. I took up my station by the door and waited and listened, the bar ready for use. The minutes dragged like hours. I was in a fever of impatience. It had been about half-past two when Dooin left to return through the pipe, and it could not have been more than three when the summons came, yet the interim seemed an age. Suddenly I heard the clump-clump of heavy footsteps ascending the ladder to the deck. I thought it was Dacy, from the weight of the step. I tingled with expecta- tion and pressed my ear against the door. I waited breathless, expectant, and tried to stare through the oaken panel. I heard the soft patter of feet upon the passageway carpet, coming nearer. Abruptly, from just opposite, came a faint, choking, gurgling cry, and something struck the door with a dull thud. .A faint scratching started against the outer side of the door. It com- menced breast-high and descended slowly to the floor. It was like an animal pawing for admit- tance. It wasa horrid sound, and I followed its zigzag descent, with my heart in my throat and my scalp prickling. I crouched, tense and ready.~ A dead silence followed. Several moments I waited. No further sound came from the passageway, and I hesitated to use the jimmy. [I feared to make an abortive attempt and thus spoil Dooin’s plans. That thump against the door could not have been Dooin’s signal, I reasoned. But that gurgling cry, and that ghastly scratching told of tragedy. Suddenly there came from the deck the sharp crack of a pistol-shot. A scattering volley-of shots answered it. Heavy feet rushed by overhead and I heard faintly distant shouts. Coincidentally came a pounding upon the door, and Dooin’s voice crying— “Quick, Mac, quick!’ .. Frantically I pried on the bar. The door gave. I exerted my full strength, the bar bent, the lock burst. The door flew open so precipitately that I tumbled headlong into the passageway. I fell across something soft, something squashy that sent a repulsive thrill through me even before I apprehended what it was. Arms grasped me, and I found my feet. Dooin was at my side. “Now is our chance,” he was saying. “They have risen against Dacy.” 173 I was staring at the thing I had fallen across. It was a man’s body, a big, fat man, sprawled upon his face—a huge, gross - thing in evening clothes. A diamond spark- led from an outstretched, pudgy hand. From between his shoulder - blades pro- truded the hilt of a knife. “It is Oates,”’ said Dooin. “F arley did it—waited until Dacy went on deck and then, when Oates was in front of him, he stuck him. Farley is working a double cross, Dacy.”’ That there was trouble on deck was ap- parent. Through the hatch came the noises of a brisk conflict, shots and shouts, and the sound of men running. Even as Dooin spoke, the sounds indicated that the affray was moving forward. “Farley is heading a mutiny,” added Dooin. ‘“‘We must make a break for it now and try to reach the beach.” I did not pause to debate, “Where is Mary?”’ I asked. “Tn her room, waiting,”’ was the response. I was at her door before he had con- cluded. “Mary! Mary!” I called, knocking. The door swung open, and she was on the threshold. I reached for her, and for an instant she lay in my arms, a sweet- smelling, quivering, clinging bundle. “What is it? What has happened?” was her frightened demand. “They are fighting among themselves,” I told her. “Come on!’’ called Dooin. clinch!” He had run to the top of the ladder and spied out upon the deck. Now he hurried to us. “‘We haven’t a moment to lose,’’ he said. He is leading the crew against “Break that ~‘They are all forward, fighting around the forecastle. The coast is clear for us.” We hurried to the ladder, Mary shrinking close to me as her gaze encountered Oates’ body upon the floor. “Now, listen!’”? commanded Dooin. ‘‘We want to get our program straight. Theboat . is on the port side. We must get to the side of the ship and jump into the water and swim to it. Miss, when it comes to jumping you mustn’t lose your nerve. We will hold you up.” “I can swim,” said Mary. afraid.” I felt a thrill of pride at the firmness of “T am not GomiGcbooks (E@)