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

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

18 ye stow ’em fair. You’ll command the white sloop.” He grinned wickedly as he sought out the schooner’s carpenter and boatswain. “Here, my bold fellows! Ye’ve been shipmates along o’ me and I like ye well. Today I set ye to work under a better sea- man than both o’ ye’d make rolled into one, and like the fiery lads ye are ye rebelled and were manhandled in proper shape. But I love ye, blast ye, and I'll give ye pro- motion. “Boatswain, you command the lugger. Chips, take you command of the small sloop. Pick yer own rascals, for I know ye’ll choose yer like.” Glancing over the puzzled gang, he picked out a furtive Spaniard whose gleaming teeth accentuated the apprehensive grin he wore. “Ha, my noble Ortega, you too have sailed long with me. You shall command the other sloop. Oh, I’m a just and gener- ous man! Ortega goes on a captain’s share, lads. Ha’ ye any fault to find?” “No fault,’ muttered a one-eyed brute thrust forward as spokesman by his mates after a short spell of argument. “But we're all comrades o’ the Jolly Roger, cappen, ain’t we?” “We are,” grinned Cook. “And all ekal?”’ “All equal as to voice, lad.” “Then what we wants to hear ye tell is this, cappen: Ye’re makin’ cappens an’ disratin’ Steve Carr wi’out command; most o’ them boats ain’t no sounder nor babby’s cradles to go seafarin’ in, and we wants to know what’s the lay? What about the west coast venture, cappen?”’ “And I’ll tell ye, my bold heroes. Steve ‘ Carr’s elected to a better berth; a more important one if ye will. Such craft as are left must serve till better can be taken. “Thank yerselves for drunken swine that ye let my ships go to pieces in the bay. “As for who commands my fleet, am I not taking one o’ these same leaky sloops myself? Davies takes th’ white sloop; and if Ortega and the others must take smaller ships, why, me, somebody must take ’em, hey?” “T take de place of mate wid you, sar, an’ let Squint have de sheep you geeve me,”’ smiled Ortega, his yellow face a shade paler under thé conviction that Cook was concealing some dark purpose toward his company. Adventure “Fight it out between you, you muti- nous dogs!” growled the captain, pretend- ing anger he was far from feeling. He left Davies in charge of the work, and strode off to his hut, where he had shut up the girl from the brig in company with Nell Clark. The other prisoners he had confined in the pirate’ own calaboose until he was ready to announce ,his plans for their disposal. Goliath, the giant negro taken from the brig, was destined to sail boatswain with the commander, and it was not entirely his qualities as a seaman that suggested the decision. Cook had seen, without caring about the reason, that the girl he had taken appeared less terrified with Gohath than with himself or any of his leering ruffians, except perhaps Davies; and it was no part of John Cook’s purpose to trust his pretty, trembling captive with the handsome, gentlemanly Edward Davies. He was taking the girl in his own. ship, intending if all went well to let her command him and the ship too if she would; but should Swan deride him for his paltry contribution to the forces then the girl might be useful as a deciding element with, Swan. Whichever course proved the better, Goliath would well earn his promotion by his ability to handle the captive quietly. As for Nell Clark—well, he would attend to her case right away. He found the negro, teld him of his promotion, sent him down to oversee his part of the work and told him to return when ready to take the girl on board. Then he went into his own hut, and lost no time about his errand. ye 1 “GIRL,” he said sharply, “get ee ready for sea at once. I take you Mii iwith me, my pretty, and the quicker you dry them weepy eyes and find a smile or two for me, the quicker you’ll have me for yer chosen man. But have me ye shall, whether chosen or not, and Goliath’ll see to it. “Tf nothing will persuade ye, then, me, I’ll sell ye to the first dirty pirate I fall in with at sea.” “You shall never take me alive to your ship,” the girl cried furiously; and her eyes were not weepy as she said it, either. Nell Clark had apparently revived the girl’s spirit. Now the older, worldlier woman patted the captive on the shoulder soothingly. COnmicoool< (C@