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CAPTAIN KIM).
287
He who had set out with the Ki Decommission to clear the waters of these pests became the worst of them, and his men following his example developed a capacity unbelievable. .Mercy was an unknown quality. Their outrages outdid the lowest and most savage beasts. Murder and rapine was the order of their day, and chief and most terrible of them all was their captain, who ruled with iron hand, ever alert and ready to punish with death an\ who rebelled againsl his orders. So hard and unmerciful was his rule that the men were goaded to revolt, and but for his
" The mate, with a snarl, sprang forward with bared sword."
cunning and watchfulness Kidd's days would have been very short.
It happened that one of the men had failed to execute an order to the satisfaction of the pirate captain, and al the point of the -w>rd his comrades were compelled by Kidd to throw him overboard. There had been several cases of yard-arming and keel-hauling for slight insubordination, and this last act set the men aflame. When Kidd turned his back the poor wretch who had brooked his wrath was rescued from the waves and hidden in the hold, where he was fed by one of the mates. The two conspired together to overthrow Kidd,
but reckoned without the keenness of the latter.
Watching around as his wont, Kidd observed the mate letting himself down into the hold. He followed quietly, listened to their scheming, learnt that they intended to murder him in his cabin, and escaped unnot iced.
So th;it [a the way the wind blows. ( rood ! I must take precaul ions." I te clenched the hilt of his ever-ready sword as he communed with himself. " An end mua\ be put to this rebellious spirit. I must teach these curs that it is dangerous to
t hwart me and my de-ii
The next day or -o Baw Kidd more oppressive and cruel than ever. Men for the merest offence were strung up on the yardarm, or marooned . It seemed he was intent on rousing the furies of the crew, and indeed that was part of his plan. His eyes were ever keenly alive to every Lspicious movement, and at last he learnt how and when his assassination was to take place.
From the hold, assisted by the mutino mate, crept the sailor who had been hidden The pair stole into the captain's cabin, where the sailor concealed himself under a rug on the couch. Kidd followed, his hand on his pistol, and the mate was trapped. He turned at the captain's dry cry of ' Hullo, ther< and with a snarl sprang forward, with bared sword.
"Steady, now!" Kidd, with his pistol pointed at the man's breast, spoke. ' What d i you want lie'
"Nothing in particular; that is, I came to find you," said the mate sulkily.