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chapter XX—Continued. —l4 «fe emerged through the companion, ud I stepped aside as the others by. There was no shout, no jteer, the fellows seeming to realize tie desperate nature of their work, yd the importance of surprise. They rer9 outnumbered five to one, and ft?ir only hope of success lay in ren ting their opponents helpless before liey could rally to a defense. All the r?nt . D p hate of years was in their torts, blazed madly in their eyes; • ey were tigers leaping at the throat jf their prey, yet sane enough to com mend even in their blood-rage that diey must act together. It was over so quickly I scarcely saw it all. My !_tes swept from group to group—the (l j ar toiling at the cover of the main latch; the fellows racing toward the forecastle; and Watkins’ squad driv b? straight into the grouped watch beyond the foremast. It was smartly done; Watkins had taken no cutlass, tat went in with both fists, asking no questions, but battering right and left, bis men surging after, with steel blades flaming in the sunlight. The astounded watch, cursing and fighting trimly, held for a moment, and then rent staggering back against the port rail, unable to stem the rush, and roar- Ine for mercy. I had view of Carlson dropping recklessly down the forecas tle scuttle, and then sprang forward myself to give a hand to the four wrestling with the main hatch. To other we dragged it into position, forcing relentlessly back as we did so, i dozen struggling figures frantically tdeavoring to reach the deck. Shots tere fired, the bullets whistling tough the opening, the flare lighting ij the black depths below, revealing rsguely a mass cf frantic men staring tj. and cursir.g us fiercely in a dozen languages; but, in spite of them, we toped the hatch down tight, and : kked it securely into place with an ten bar. Watkins needed no help; he had nis Hty rounded up. To my orders they . were driven into the cook’s galley and a guard stationed at the door. Then I taed to the more serious work con tenting me in the forecastle. We test have men enough to sail the tei, and if I was to command them, § I ms: first of all prove my courage Ed enforce authority. The whole suc of our effort depended on this, “that’s going on below?” I asked. "Cursin’ mostly,” answered Carter, •wing down through a slight uptilt of the scuttle. “They don’t just Cow what’s happening yet, but the ? nigger seems ter be raisin’ hell, t - son is a holdin’ him back with his “Open up and let me down.” i;' fen. rather than clambered along ■ ! rungs of the ladder, coming to ! " feet on deck in the midst of a of angry men. The light was so -I could scarcely see their faces; : -el of voices greeted me, and more •r-one hand gripped me fiercely as ‘■excited c.vner yelped a demand to "*what in hell we were up to. I j'-y cleared a space, aided by Carl < s cutlass, and fronted them. Tow r ? above them all, his black ape fe\ iace ’ distorted with rage, I dis j".:shed the giant Cochose, his im hands grasping a wooden bar i from a bunk. Plainly enough as the leader. If I was to rule, i r ack brute must be conquered Sr|~,, ve! 7 start, conquered by my -unds, and in the presence of his ! ';"d back there lads,” I said stern- I * - i explain all that has happened * bur first I am going to lick k within an inch of his life. ' of there, Cochose.” -■‘came grinning widely, balancing \ >vy club. me, sah? You all think 11, '’ck me?” ir' 1 think so; I’ll try It anyway. 11-.I 1 -. ... ar * son > take this pistol and | “ knife, if anyone interferes ■ All I ask is fair play. I “at club, Cochose, and throw |J : knife. You and I will fight . with bare hands.” I“1 brain worked slowly, and H ; a at me, his eyes ugly. His aad lack of response, awoke a K , .‘ v roni the impatient circle of h - ad. One fellow kicked the H ; of his hand contemptuously, I ' :t her plucked the knife from || ;Jdg skulker,” the latter said, K.‘; •f" o& th of derision, “go on, and ■ .’|for Ah fight this white man? know who he is.” d tell you. Estada is dead; B- , { ‘ s a prisoner. I’m in com | ‘ this bark. You are a big, eur! I heard what you said H“ e down, and now I’ll make s *wo steps forward, my ad vance so swift and unexpected the big negro had not even time to throw up an arm in defense. With open hand I struck him squarely across the face. CHAPTER XXI. T,)r* T '' 3PF*' . In Full Possession. A roar of delight went up. I knew sailors and felt they would welcome a fight like this and their Immediate sympathy would be with me for start ing it. More than that, this black bully, ruling over them by brute force, could be no favorite. They might fear him, but with that fear would be mingled hate, and a delight in his downfall. In that instant, although I cannot recall removing watchful eyes from the negro’s face, I received an impres sion of my surroundings never to be erased from memory—the gloomy in terior, the deck, foul, littered with sea boots, and discarded clothing, and the great beams overhead blackened by smoke. The rays of the swinging slush lantern barely illuminated the central space, the rows of bunks be yond remaining mere shadows, yet this dim, yellowish light, fell full upon the excited half circle of men who were roaring about the negro. They were a rough, wild lot, ranging in color from the intense black of Central Africa to the blond of Scandinavia, half naked some, their voices mingling in a dozen tongues, their eyes gleam ing with savagery. I know not whether Cochose lunged forward of his own volition, or was pressed on from behind, yet suddenly he was within reach of me, and the battle was on, his object evidently be ing to crush me in his giant grip, mine to oppose science to strength, and avoid his bear-hug. We swayed back and forth to the sharp pitching of the shir Then he sprang straight at me determined to smash me to the deck by the very power of his on slaught. But I side-stepped him, get ting in two swift blows, which rocked his head, and tore open one cheek, from which blood trickled. Yet he kept his feet, blindly gripping for me. I evaded his clutch by leaping aside, but the space was far t&o small to per mit these tactics to carry long, and finally he had me. Yot, even as he seemingly crushed the very breath out of me, his giant strength met with a resistance which increased his fury. Already the fellow had lost his head, but I fought coolly, putting my skill against brute force, every wrestler’s trick I knew flashing into my brain. Breathlessly, my flesh scraped and bruised, I wriggled partly free, and tripped him, his great body striking the deck with a thud. I fell with him, dragged down by his desperate grip, but was first upon my feet, saluted by a roar of delight from the lips of those crowding about us. As he staggered up also, I struck him again, a blow which would have ended the game, had not my foot slipped on the reeling deck. As it was it drove him to his knees, groggy, and with one eye half closed, yet with strength enough left to regain his feet as soon as I. This time he charged me like a wild bull, froth whitening his lips, scarcely ap pearing human in the yellow light. In mad rage he forgot all caution, his one thought to reach me with his hands, and throttle me into lifeless pulp. I fought him back, driving blow on blow through his guard, side-step ping his mad rushes, landing again and again on his body. Twice I got in over his heart, and at last, found the chance I sought and sei* a right 'a® straight to the chin. All the force of one hundred and eighty pounds was oehind the clenched fist, and the negro went down as though floored by a poleax. Once weakly he endeavored to rise, but this time I used my left, and he never stirred again, yng there with no sign of life except the quivering of the huge body Assured that he was down and out, I stood above him, gazing into the ring of ex cited faces. “That’s one attended to,- I said Shortly “Now is there any more of you who would like to flght this out? ' There was no answer although the ring widened under the threat of my eves, and I met sollen faces here and there. I was in no mood to take I saW- ‘'- TOT know these men. Pick out those you can ?„,t and have them stand over there to the right, call them out by name, *£?££* forth eagerly enough .though a s negro or«o was among ther . yet re _ “°med Shr^Th^- from face to face inquiring THE VILAS COUNTY NEWS, EAGLE RIVER, WIS “How about it, you?” I asked. “Are there any more of you fellows who take a chance with us? This is my last offer.” “What’s the game?” asked a sullen voice in English, and a bearded fellow, burned black, pushed his way to the front. “I used ter be Scotch; now I don’t know what I am. One flag is as good as another ter me—only I want to know what sorter game I’m playin’ in. Who are yer? An’ whar’d yer cum frum?” “I am an English seaman,” I an swered shortly, “and how I came aboard makes no difference. Right now I am the only navigator on the Namur. Estada is dead—knifed last night by one of the buccaneers. Man uel Estevan had a hand in the busi ness, and he’s safely locked in a state room aft. Captain Sanchez is wound ed and helpless, and those cut-throats amidships are battened down below hatches. LeVere and I are the officers left, and we control the deck.” “Yer mean those fellers were aimin’ ter take the ship?” “Exactly that; now where are you lads? With Manuel and his bunch of pirates? Or with us?” “What er yer going ter do with us, an’ this ship? That’s the fu’st ques tion.” ‘ I had not decided that even In my own mind, but the answer came promptly enough. “I am going to leave that to the crew. As soon as we have all secure, I’ll have every man on deck, and then v\ o’ll talk It over. That’s fair enough isn’t it?” “It looks fair. Come on, mates; Tm fer the Englishman.” Only one followed him, however, a sheep-faced boy; the others, remained sullen and defiant. I had no further time to waste in explanations. I glanced up at Carter’s face framed in the scuttle hole. “Carter, pass these men up and take them forward with the others. Turn them over to Watkins. Then come back here, and report to me.” They went up the ladder one by one, and disappeared onto the deck above. Carlson and I watched the others until Carter stuck his head once again through the opening. “All safe, sir—they was like lambs." “Very well; stand by to help. Now you lads, lift this black and shove him up to where they can get hold above.” They hoisted the unconscious form up the ladder and forced it through the hole onto the deck. At my stern command they crawled forth into the sunlight. There they picked up Co chose and carried him aft. I went to the main hatch, and had the cover slipped to one side, the armed sailors gathering close about the edge, as I peered down. It was a scene of pandemonium, revealed in the yellow flame of slush lanterns, a group of white faces showing clearly, as the prisoners below struggled forward, gesticulating and shouting. Ignoring their mad roaring, and the threat of leveled guns, I stared down at the in furiated faces, until the clamor ceased sufficiently to let my voice be heard. “What are you men trying to do, frighten me? You might as well stop that. This opening is lined with guns, and if one of you fire a shot we’ll pour lead into you. More than that; if you attempt to climb out there is a brass carronade trained on the hatch. So listen! We are in control of the ship and mean to keep it. The old officers are either dead or prisoners. What we do with you will depend on your ac tions, hut we’re ready to kill (f neces sary. If you keep quiet down there, and obey orders, you’ll be fed, and treated decently enough. Pass up your arms.” There was no movement, only a glare of hostile eyes, an indistinguish able growl of voices. “Kneel down, lads and cover those fellows,” I ordered sternly drawing my own pistol. “Now you below there, this is my last word. I’ll count ten, and you’ll either pass up those weapons or we’ll pour our fire into you. Take aim, boys.” There was a moment of deathly si lence, except for my counting. One man uttered a curse, and the jam*of figures at the foot of the ladder en deavored to work back out of range, yet, before I had spoken the word eight, guns were held aloft, and poked up within reach, and at this sign of surrender even the most desperate lost heart and joined the more cowardly. It was a strange collection of weapons stacked on the deck—guns, cu- asses, knives and pistols of every 0 scrip tion. Probably all had not been deliv ered, yet I felt no further fear of the few pieces remaining kidden. “That’s all, is it? Very well—now’ take care of this big nigger we’re send ing down; no, he is not dead, only stunned. Now stand aside while a few of your friends join you; they’ll tell you what’s up. Make room there.” We passed the forecastle scum down one by one. Ignoring the Indignant roar of voices which greeted my or der, I watched the men shift the heavy hatch cover into place, and then per mitted my eyes to survey the deck, as I hastily considered our next action. (TO BE CONTINUED.) Rich Rhine Country. Strange to say, the fine grapes are grown on the eastern slopes of the Rhine and the choicest varieties, as Johannisburger and Steinberger, are produced higher up the river, south of the Rhine province. It is, neverthe less, the land cf the vine, especially tlie Moselle valley. The substantial claim of the province is its mineral wealth. Optimistic Thought. He hath riches sufficient who hatt enough to be charitable. SENATE TO RATIFY TREATY AND LEAGUE BELIEF IS IT WILL DO THIS, HOWEVER, WITH SERIES OF RESERVATIONS FOR FUTURE. ALLIES WOULD NOT OBJECT England and France Want United States in the League of Nations as Next Best Thing to an Actual Al liance. By EDWARD B. CLARK. Washington.—Men who are ac counted keen observers of legislative situations seem to believe today that the peace treaty and the league covenant will be sanctioned by the United States senate in the form that they are writteq, but that there will be a series of written reservations passed by the senators which will con cern themselves with the attitude of the United States In the future to wards certain provisions of the docu ment or documents. Of course it cannot yet be definitely determined whether this view of the situation is a correct one, but it is a fact that men who are opposed to the covenant as it stands and men who are in favor of it agree in effect that the outcome is to be as above written. What tiii reservations will be in their entirety cannot be told, but it is known that in part they will concern themselves with Immigration ques tions, with the Monroe doctrine, and probably with some things connected with lights of withdrawal from the league and with suggestions concern ing the armed part which the United States is expected to bear in case of embroglivs. I have talked with men who are In touch with the foreign feeling on such an outcome as that outlined above. It seems that the British and the French are perfectly willing to al low the United States to make its reservations. Reservations or no reservations, the covenant will go in to effect and the future, so far as the senate’s action is concerned, will be allowed to take care of itself, the be lief of the foreigners apparently be ing that nothing which the senate shall Insist upon in separate docu ment will affect the smoothness of the running of the world’s affairs. Bunau Varilla Favors League. Bunau Varilla, the great French engineer who directed the work on the Isthmus of Panama when the French company had it In charge, is In Washington. This Frenchman lost a leg at Souilly, not far from Ver dun, about two years ago. He was the engineer in charge of providing the water supply for the French ar mies and It was some job. A Boche airplane dropped a bomb near the general’s headquarters and he was maimed, but notwithstanding the number of his years he recovered, later to return to the front and still later to Journey to the United States. Bunau Varilla Is In favor of a League of Nations. So It is under stood are most other Frenchmen of high official standing. This also is true of the British of like estate. One learns one thing, however, in Wash ington through direct and indirect touch with visiting foreigners, and the facts may just as well be faced. It Is not to be supposed that the French and British are in love with the League of Nations so much because they believe It will solve all the war problems of the universe, or that it will prevent for all time territorial and racial bickerings. They want the League of Nations mainly because the United States will be a party to it, and France and England, barring the possibility of an actual alliance with the United States, feel that the league Is the next best thing. Hun Army Was Whipped. An American correspondent, Frank H. Simonds, cabling from Paris, says: “German public men are making des perate efforts, with certain success In some directions, to give the impression that the German surrender Hast No vember was Jue solely to the princi ples of the fourteen points.” This simply means that the German officials are trying to make their peo ple believe their army and their navy were undefeated last November, and that when surrender came It was not forced but voluntary, because of a de sire to end the war in behalf of all peoples. American army officers, some of whom are in Washington, and scores of them still in France, know that this German contention is a lie, that the German authorities know that it Is a lie, and that the people of Germany ought to be made to know that it Is a lie. One of the worst features of this at tempt on the part of the German high command is to make it appear that their armies were not in a bad way last November Is that thousands of Americans seem to think the same thing. They are just as badly in formed on the subject as are many of the German people. What All Americans Should Know. It ought to do some good to let all Americans know that while Germany could have fought for a while longer, she could have fought nothing but a defensive battle on a line that would have crumbled quickly and laid open her country to the invading forces. Your correspondent was north of the Argonne forest at the headquar ters of an American major general at the time that the armistice was signed. The entire situation as regards the German army was thoroughly under stood by high commanding Americans, and it was a very mentally dense doughboy who did not know for him self just how things stood with the foe that was confronting him from Metz to Belgium. It is true that the Germans manag ed to keep their battle line intact; that is, they had troops confronting every unit of the allied forces, but they had no reserves worthy of the name, and while their supply of ammunition was sufficient for some weeks’ fighting, the end of the supply was in sight. All these things were known t© the American commanders. The Intelli gence service of the armies of the al lies was of the best. Information was obtained from captured prisoners, from raids on German trenches, from air plalne observation and by other means. The Germans had a railroad line and a high road running from Metz In Lorraine, which was one of their great military strengths, to the army lines back of Verdun Nothing Left But Retreat. The Americans cut off the St. Mi hiel salient and drove the Germans back north of Hatton-Chatel, where the enemy established a new litiis. North of the Argonne the enemy was driven back to Sedan, which fell some days prior to November The railroads and highways from Metz to the west were under Ameri can artillery fire. In a few Cays at the most the German armies from north of Sedan to Metz c<7Uld have been supplied only In a roundabout way, a way so difficult that It virtu ally was Impossible to use it ade quately. There was nothing left for the Ger man army except retreat, which meant soon the Isolation of Metz, the fall of that stronghold, and a precipitate re treat of the Germans into their own territory. There was no other way out of It. The German army of November 11 last was licked out of its boots. Its commanding officers knew it. They saw the inevitable facing them and hastily they took advantage of the op portunity to enter into an armistice. Army of 500,000 Urged. Military men say that 500,000 regu lar troops will be necessary to main tain America’s part of its obligations under the League of Nations. General Peyton C. March, chief of staff, has testified to this effect before the senate committee on military affairs. There is apt to be a misunderstand ing concerning what is said before the committees of congress on army mat ters. The administration has asked for appropriations for continuing a force of 500,000 in service until peace becomes stable and the League of Na tions becomes a reality, if it is to be come one. In addition to this, the belief of military men is that a large force of regulars must be maintained after the present war is a thing of the past and the League of Nations Is In existence. This is a mere statement of the things that have been presented by military chieftains and by the secre tary of war to the house and to the senate committee which has been tak ing under consideration the matter of appropriations for the army as it Is to continue until peace is an actuality. In the healings which have been held the future has been gone into as well as the present, and It Is for this reason that the regular army of the future has been under discussion. Wide Variance of Opinion. There seems to be a feeling among majority members in congress that the United States regular army safely can be cut to 125,000 men after peace definitely Is established. Therefore the country enn see at once how wide the variance is between congress and mili tary chieftains on the subject of the force necessary for the country to maintain under the ordinary conditions of world affairs. It seems that the chief of staff believes the provisions of the League of Nations will make It necessary for us to maintain an army of half a million, notwithstanding the fact that the league in its provisions aims to make military forces to a con siderable extent unnecessary. How ever, as the chief of staff views it, the force will be necessary in case the provisions of the league are violated and the United States intends to live up to its obligations under the cove nant. Secretary of Baker In urging that present appropriations be based on an army of 500,000 men Is moved by his desire to make recreational and edu cational work In the army an abiding feature thereof in order to stimulate enlistments and to make the army not only a fighting force, but a school in which men can fit themselves tot certain lines of activity In civil life. It has been the endeavor to get from army men their views of the possibil ities of enlisting by the volunteer plan enough men to keep filled the ranks of an army of half a million men. No army officer has been found who be lieves that In peace times the ordi nary enlistment methods will be suffi cient to maintain the half million force which Match thinks will be necessary. It Is the secretary of war’s view that if recreational and educational fea tures are added to the service of the soldier, young men will be willing to enlist in order to get the benefits which the service will afford. “Y,” of Course. Before they were married she thought him a treasure, now she con siders him a treasury.—-Edinburgh Scotsman. "BEST MEDICINE FOB WOMEN” What Lydia E. Pinkham’* Vegetable Compound Did For Ohio Woman. Portsmouth, Ohio.—** I suffered from Irregularities, pains in my side and wm ______________ so weak at times I KBH could hardly get around to do my work, and as I had four in my family and threß boarders it made it very hard for me. Lydia E. Pinkham’s Veg e table Compound was recommended to me. I took it and it has restored my health. It is certainly the best mediclje for woman’s ailments I ever saw.”—Mrs. Sara Shaw, R. No. 1, Portsmouth, Ohio. Mrs. Shaw proved the merit of this medicine and wrote this letter in order that other suffering women may find relief as she did. Women who are suffering as she was should not drag along from day to day without giving this famous root and herb remedy, Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vege table Compound, a trial. For special advice in regard to such ailments writs to LydiaE. Pinkham Medicine Co.,Lynn, Mass. The result of its forty years experience is at your service. AND HE MADE HIS GETAWAY Youngster Had Delivered Shaft That Gave Glum-Looking Man Some Reason for Reflection. A bright little newsie entered a business office and, approaching a glum-looking man at one of tty? desks, began with an ingratiating smile: ‘Tin selling thimbles to raise enough money to—” “Out with you I” Interrupted the man. “Wouldn’t you like to look at some nice thimbles?” “I should say not!” “They’re fine, and I’d like to make a sale,” he continued. Turning in his chair to fully face the lad, the grouch caustically In quired : “What’n seven kinds o’ blue blazes do you think I want with a thimble?” Edging toward the door to make a safe getaway, the boy answered: “Use it for a hat.”—Exchange. Fleeting Ills. Leary—Still waiting for your ship to come in, eh? Weary—Oh, they’ve come In. Whole fleet of ’em. All hardships.—Philadel phia North American. Bnrglar-proof safes and fireproof buildings seldom are. INCREASE WEIGHT AND VITALITY WITHPHOSPHATE Nothing Like Plain Bitro-Phosphate te Put on Firm, Healthy Flesh and to Increase Strength, Vigor and Nerve Force. The average person is beginning: to real ize more and more that the lack of phys ical strength and nerve exhaustion (fre quently evidenced by excessive thinness) are the direct cause not only of the fail ure to succeed in life’s struggle for the necessities of existence, but also for the handicap in one’s social aspirations. Com pare the thin, sickly, angular frame witli At the seaside too, the plump well* rounded figure is most admtred. the well rounded form which is usually accompanied by the bloom of health and attractiveness. That millions of people are conscioue of this handicap Is evident from the con tinued appearance In newspapers and magazines of many suggestions proposing various remedies In food or medicine or exercises, either of which might or might not be appropriate for a given case. Authorities, however, agree that healthy nerve tissue is absolutely essential to a ’'strong, robust body and mind. Weak nerves, while indicated by a multitude of different symptoms, more immediately and generally result In lack of energy, sleep lessness, Irritability, depression, etc., which conditions gradually consume the healthy flesh, leaving ugly hollows, a flat chest, bony neck and scrawny arms and Our bodies need more phosphate than most of them are able to extract from the foods we eat nowadays, and many opinions affirm that there Is nothing which may be taken into the human system that so effectively supplies this deficiency as the pure organic phosphate known as bltro-pnosphate and sold by good druggists everywhere. The essential phosphoric food elements In bitro-phosphate assimilated by the nerve cells should soon produce a pleas ing change in nerve energy and hence Increased vitality and strength. With the burdens of nervousness, sleeplessness, lack of energy, etc., lifted, normal weight with Its attractive fullness and ruddy glow of health replaces the former picture of skin and bones. CAUTION: Although Bitro-Phosphate Is unexcelled for the relief of nervousness and attendant disorders, owing to its ten dency to Increase weight, one should watch the scales while taking it unless it Is the desire to put on flesh. fGuticura Promotes Hair Health >»p26, Ointment 26 45®, TaJeojp #■ Simple each free of **Catlcara» Dept.