Johnston McCulley

“ Again Norene stepped before him and with her weapon threatened the crew.
"You men know me!" she said. "If you'll not obey the mate because of the cap'n's orders, you'll obey me!"
The weapon spit fire; a bullet crashed into the deck at the feet of the foremost man.
Guerrero had been watching for his chance; now he sprang upon her in an attempt to wrest the revolver from her hand.
But Guerrero did not know Wild Norene. A quick step she gave to one side, and the butt of the heavy weapon struck the señor behind the ear and felled him. ”

“ I'll see that the men stop unloading that cargo; that the Amingo runs out to sea again—"
"Girl!"
"If I must fight you, uncle, I'll fight well! I'm Wild Norene, you know. You've often boasted no man could outwit me, that in an emergency aboard ship I was worth any six of the crew and any two officers. Well, I'll try to live up to your boasting!"
"You dare—"
"It is my wits against yours," she reminded him. "You are helpless, but it is your own doing. I didn't bind you and tie you in your bunk. Your little trick has proved a boomerang. ”

“ The cargo will be landed, and I'll have kept my word with Guerrero. I win—and Connor loses. I said I'd do it, and I'll keep my word."
"Oh!" she gasped. "You'd do that? You'd send him to his death—and for nothing? You'd blame him for the crime you are committing?"
"I said I'd do it, and I keep my word. No man can call me a blackbirder and get away with it! If you want to overlook his insult to you, the more shame to you; but I'll not overlook his insult to me!"
"You'd not dare!"
The captain laughed unpleasantly. ”