Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 73: what you’re looking at

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

66 THE ARGOSY. “It is well over,” he cried; ‘‘ I will have every one of them put to the tor- ture so severely that never again will such an attempt to break my authority be made. You have done well, Americano, and you also, Inglese. I shal! not forget it.” Just then two other white overseers, who had been attracted by the sound of firing, came running up. The Don turned to them and began to give them instructions about driving the mutinous blacks to their quarters and binding them to await his pleasure. Meantime E,dwardes had drawn near Crenshawe. “We have saved ourselves from slaughter,” said the Englishman, “ but you see how it is, even this bold plan for our escape has failed. We are as much in the Don’s power as ever.” “We are,” returned Crenshawe hurriedly, “if we do not take advantage of the situation.” “ But how—— ** Listen to what I tell the Don, and translate it to the overseers.” With this Crenshawe dashed up to the Don and with an appearance of ex- citement that was not wholly fictitious, he cried: “The danger is not passed, your excellency. This is but a part of a con- certed attack. Tony warned us of this, and he tells us that a hundred or more are now on their way across the island, expecting to join their comrades in the assault. They may be here any moment.” The Don looked intensely startled, and the pallor began to creep back upon his swarthy cheeks, but he did not yield to fright so far as before, for the speedy victory that had been gained encouraged him. “We shall defeat them,” continued Crenshawe, “ but there is only one way to doit.” Without waiting for the Don to make an inquiry, he went on rapidly: “ We will meet them as we met the others. Some of us will go this way, the others that; station ourselves behind bushes and drop the armed guards the moment they come in sight. Come on, men. There is not a sec- ond to be lost.” : “Yes, yes,’ stammered the Don. ‘‘ Go meet them and don’t let them come as far as this.” “They will have to come over our dead bodies if they do,” shouted Cren- shawe. Then he turned to Edwardes and said: “Leave one or two of the overseers to guard the Don if you like, but send the others off towards the northwest. We will take a direction a little to the south, and thus try to get the rebels between two fires.” Edwardes, although he did not wholly comprehend the American’s move, translated the command, and two of the overseers immediately set off in the direction suggested. Hardly waiting to see whether they did so or not, Cren- shawe took Tony by the arm, and, followed by Edwardes, set off at top speed around the mansion, and made in a general direction for the port. Edwardes caught up with him presently, and Crenshawe exclaimed : “There are only three of us, to be sure, but we have got to make a des- perate effort to capture the Don’s vessel. If we don’t succeed—but there 99 ECOMmicooolkKks CO