Adventure, January 20, 1922 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

Tides of Hate even to the length of upholding my weaker hand against Swan, why, I reckon there’s room for such a man as I know y’ are, Davies. But hark to what I say!” The great pistol was drawn; the wide muzzle gaped in the Schoolmaster’s calm face. “One captain sails*in John Cook’s ship, and that’s John Cook. And if y’ know aught about that Nicaragua booty—which I doubt, or y’d have gotten men and ships easy elsewhere—y’ are to use the knowledge in our own behalf, and no other. Swan, the F renchman, and all the fiends o’ Eblis sha’n’t rob me 0’ one gold-piece o’ that loot once I lay eyes on it.’ “Then why sail in company?” mocked Davies. (¢ ’s mirth! Do I know wher tis? Am I strong enough alone to make such a cruise profitable if I fail to find it? Cities there are to be sacked, with a company strong enough; they’ll fill our pockets even if we fail to discover that which will fill our holds. And ’tis the Frenchman, Swan says, who holds that golden secret.” “Then we sail tonight?” smiled Davies _apparently having no further interest in ‘the Frenchman or the treasure, but only anxious to leave Aves. “Wee” retorted Cook savagely. “T sail tonight. Y’ have not passed word with me yet. And have ye nothing to say about what yon Frenchman may know: If you know nothing, what in a fiend’s name shall I carry y’ along for? Ballast?” “Then we sail tonight,” Davies stated coolly. “You are my captain, John Cook, for so long as I sail in your ship. As for what the Frenchman knows, or what I know—lI tell ye we were both there by the lake when twelve ass-loads 0’ yellow gold vanished like smoke in a breeze. To know more than this y’ have to wait, my captain. “Now let’s to work. Here are five little ships, and only two of ’em are likely to sail the island out 0’ sight. Rig ’em all. Load all stores and arms, save bare rations for the crews o’ the rest, into this sloop and that white craft yonder, and trust in the rover’s luck to find us better craft as we cruise.” “And d’ye think Swan’ll accept such a scurvy flotilla?” -“Tf he won’t, we'll take his own!’ snapped Davies; and as if by some swift transforma- tion the so-called Schoolmaster became the man of action, terse and decided, already 2 17 overshadowing the slower-witted Cook by sheer force of intellect. Vil @) tipsy rovers toiled at unwelcome tasks, driven by fear of Cook, and driven harder by a new master; for Davies had usurped the place of Carr as naturally as if he had been promoted under the king’s seal. And since no better seaman sailed than Edward Davies the work was planned for swift and sure results; because he proved on the bodies of Cook’s boatswain and car- penter that he was their master, the work went on apace for all the black looks and red curses sent his way. From the gear of the stranded schooner new masts and booms were furnished for the two sloops chosen to carry Cook’s chief followers and effects; from her shot-holed sails came stouter wings for those sloops; her guns and munitions went to arm them, and her water-casks, added to those from ashore, filled their holds along with what scanty store of provisions remained. Then, the last sail bent, the last rope rove, Cook called his ruffians around him on the shore. ‘Stand out as I tally ye off,” he snapped. “Steve Carr!” Carr stepped forward smartly, for he had entertained a suspicion for hours past that the newly fledged Schoolmaster had supplanted him. This call for him first of them all reassured him. He grinned venomously at Davies, who stood beside the captain without a trace of interest on his calm face. “Fitton!” A mean-faced, stoop-shouldered young- ster stepped out. “Garret!” Another followed; then two more were called, and Cook paused. eyes crept a wicked glint. He cocked a pair of pistols ostentatiously, thrust his hard face forward and snarled: “Steve Carr, take your gang and have me a score 0’ bulls killed and flayed within the hour. The rest 0’ you pretty birds get your personal arms and baggage down to th’ beach as quick as ye know how. Take then what boat gear is left, and build me a fire on the headland. “You, Davies, choose me a full crew to your own liking for the fat-bellied sloop, our flagship. She’ll carry a hundred men if CORMICLOO© S § THROUGHOUT the hot day the. Into his crafty, (E@