VAGABOND VOYAGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 June 1938, Page 10

VAGABOND VOYAGE

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

COPYRIGHT

BY

ALROY WEST

(Author of “Stratosphere Express”)

CHAPTER XXlll.—Continued. “I don’t think she did very much damage to herself,” he said. “Most likely she ran aground though and would have to wait for the tide. It comes in pretty strongly along those channels and would soon get her off the rocks. But they may not feel like taking any risks until they’ve had an opportunity of inspecting what damage has been done. It will all take time. I doubt if she’ll overhaul us now. We’ve not only had a fair start, but we’ve altered our course. I’m heading for a small island which Nunez has probably never heard of. If we can anchor there, we can wait a while and then double back. You mark my words, Nunez is going to be a very disappointed man.” “I hope he is,” said Peter. “I don’t fancy falling into his hands.” “He’d polish the 'whole lot of us off. right enough. But he wouldn’t do it himself. He’s far too squeamish. I expect he’d faint at the sight of a drop of blood. But he’d be quite willing for others to do the dirty work for him provided that it was done quietly sc that his peace of mind was not troubled in any way.”

The damage repaired, Peter took a trick at the wheel. During this time. Wicks attended to the burial of Gordon. Gallop risked handing the charge of his engines over to Doyle in order that he could come on deck for a minute.

. He watched the body, in its white shroud, slide over the deck and go down into the deep water. Then, without a word to anybody, he went back to hit engines. !. The burial cast a gloom over the trawler.’ Even Sinclair seemed to feel * .it and become taciturn. Doyle was s still below, so Peter had no oppor- . tunity of seeing him. He felt sure. - however, that he would be the one ;, person absolutely unmoved. Gallop confirmed this impression r when they were in the cabin together ' later in the day. g “I don’t feel easy about leaving Doyle ;, in charge,” ,he confided to Peter. . “It’s ', dark now, and it might be necessary for a command to be executed quick- >, i y?> ” “I should think he’s pretty alert,” I Peter commented. “In a way,” Gallop admitted grudgingly. “But he’s too darned pleased - with himself. I could have smashed his ugly grin for him, but for the faci that, he’s helping .us out of a difficulty.” “That ’shell didn’t help us much,” Peter remarked. “Gordon was a • splendid chap! And Foster was the '• weakest on the' other side.” “Yes. But. I think we can manage things a bit' better. I can take Doyle by surprise, and that leaves us one 5 less." * i “But we shall have three to deal 1 with.” Peter reminded him. r . “I know that. I’m trying to think of ■ a scheme to 'get ’em separated. It’s ’ no good, asking Wicks to come down to ’ the engine-room. He might smell a ; rat, and in any-case he would probably ; be accompanied by Sinclair. That man’s fast becoming a shadow captain.” [ “I’ve, noticed that. If I could get him , alone on the bridge I might be able to tackle him. Alla could run up and get hold. of the wheel. But the struggle would alarm both Sinclair and Crockett, We shall want a better plan.” Gallop knocked out his pipe. “We shall,” he said grimly. “I’m going to have a look at my engines. I don’t trust Doyle. He’ll be letting the whole thing go wrong while he’s sitting down grinning at it.” He clambered down from his bunk and lumbered from the cabin. Peter made himself more comfortable in his bunk and puffed at his pipe. He jumped up with a start however, as Alla came running into the cabin. She darted to his side and thrust a revolver into his hand. “Quick!” she cried. “You can get control of the ship if you hurry!” Peter slipped from his bunk and followed her from the cabin. “I saw Gallop slink towards the com-panion-way leading to the engineroom,” she explained. “He was moving so quietly that I followed him.

Evidently he wanted to spy on Doyle. Doyle had the revolver in his. hand and seemed to be cleaning it. Gallop rushed him and the revolver went to the floor. I was at the bottom of the companion-ladder, and I noticed just where it had fallen. They both tumbled over into a corner where they were ■ hidden from me, so I dashed forward and grabbed the revolver.” 1 “Where’s Sinclair?” Peter asked her. “He’s asleep. If you hurry you’ll be ! able to overpower him before he real- j

izes what is happening.” CHAPTER XXIV. Sinclair was sleeping on the deck, immediately behind the hatch. Peter looked towards him and then shook his head. “We should not be able to do it without alarming Wicks,” he said to the girl. “We’ll make for the bridge first. You get ready to take the wheel.” Wicks turned his head as Peter joined him. “It isn’t time for you to take over,” he said with a puzzled frown. “It is!” Peter snapped, springing forward. Wicks dived for his revolver, but was too late. Peter flung him from the wheel and at the same time brought the butt of his weapon crashing down on his head. Wicks groaned and crumpled up. Alla darted to him and obtained the revolver from his pocket. “You may want this,” she said. “You keep it,” Peter directed. He swung round just as Crockett came dashing up to the bridge. He struck out quickly and sent the man flying backwards. “Lock out for Sinclair.” Alla warned f: om her place at the wheel. Crockett v.'P.r about to get to his feet when the girl pointed her weapon at

him. “Stay where you are!" she warned. For a moment the man hesitated. Then he nodded his head. \ “Don’t shoot” he cried hoarsely. “I'll stay where I am! I won’t give trouble! Honest I won’t.” “You’d better not!” Peter snapped over his shoulder as he hurried to the deck in order to deal with a slightly confused Sinclair. “What’s all this about?” Sinclair demanded, evidently not understanding the position. “Has Doyle been giving trouble?” “Put up your hands!” Peter ordered, pointing the revolver at him. Sinclair hesitated and then obeyed. He shook his head and then sighed. “I don’t know what it’s all about,” he complained. “You soon will,” said Peter grimly. He circled round Sinclair and then order him to go towards the bridge. Sinclair gave no indication of any intention to fight the matter out. He looked surprised when he saw Crock- ■ ett. “You can get up,” Peter said to the sailor. “Get that rope and fasten Sinclair up.” “What happens to me?” Crockett asked cautiously. “You’ll get far more out of it than you will by being awkward,” Peter told him. Crockett hesitated and then took up the rope. “Very well,” he said. “What with Gordon and Howe out of the way it wasn’t likely that I 'should get a fair deal from anybody.” He l secured Sinclair and then glanced at Peter for further instruction. “Now fasten the captain up in the same way,” Peter ordered. Crockett’s jaw dropped open. “I can’t do that!” he protested. “That’s mutiny! “I can’t be expected to tie up my own captain! You’ve no right to ask it of me. It isn’t as though I’ve done anything wrong.” “Fasten up the captain!” Peter said, calmly. Crockett glanced from Peter to Alla, realized that she still had her revolver pointed at him. Then he looked at Sinclair, and as quickly glanced away. “I’ll do it,” he muttered. “You’d be a fool!” Sinclair rasped. “You’ll only be knocked on the head and dropped over the side.” “That was what Wicks was going to do to you,” Peter cut in sharply. Crockett hesitated. Then he stepjfed towards the captain. “He might have reckoned on doing something of the sort,” he said thoughtfully “Having sailed with h|n before I did get a good idea of his ways of doing things. Maybe I was a bit of a fool over this.” He fastened up the captain, and Peter made sure that the knots were properly tied. He also inspected Sinclair’s bonds. Satisfied that neither of them would get away, he turned to Crockett. “We’ll go to the engine-room now,” he said curtly. “You go first.” Crockett left the bridge, and moved across to the companionway leading to the engine-room. “Are you there, Gallop?” Peter shouted. “Yes,” came the reply above the throbbing of the engines. “I’m coming down.” “Right!” Peter motioned for Crockett to go first. Gallop stared at them. “I’ve taken charge of the ship,” Peter informed him. Gallop rubbed his hands together. “That’s splendid,” he exclaimed. “I’ve just polished off Doyle—but I can’t find his revolver. It dropped somewhere.” Peter decided to avoid the question. “Can you leave the engines for a little time?” he asked. “I want to get my prisoners stowed away in the hold.” “I’ll reduce speed,” Gallop told him. “I suppose the girl is at the wheel?” “Yes.” “What about Sinclair?” “He’s tied up, along with the captain.”

(To be Continued.)