The Holly chieftain., 1899-07-28

CHAPTER VII
Next morning the result of Padre
Sebnstiano's discussion with the two
mates was apparent, for niaz came to
the captain and broached the subject
of heading for Santa Rosa. Halstead
chang" Of course would make him late,
as it was, etc.-but finally admitted
that it would take only a few hours
more. and said that he had no objec-
tions. This was Thursday. Ispent the
afternoon and most OF Friday with
Senorita Gracia. liking her better the
more I saw of her. was pretty sure
that Halstead had little the advan-
tage of me in her regard, but she never
showed It while we were together. In
fact. as the time drew near when was
to leave the steamer, she seemed dis
posed, by unmistakable evidences of
liking for me, to produce an impress
sion that neither years nor absence
could efface; and she certainly sue
ceeded. When said good night at the
door of her stateroom, Friday evening,
wondered little what the result
would be should throw up the enter
prise and remain on board. But the
captain was poring over the chart
again when reached our quarters,
and one glance at his face was suffi-
cient to Danish all indecision. On my
part, the affair had been. SO far, mere
1y speculative; there had been NO op-
portunity for action. Halstead, on the
other hand, was now fully committed.
He rnd McPherson had taken a def
mite step which there was no retrac-.
ing-which might cost them their posi-
tions whether we were successful or
not-and, while be had certainly gone
into the affair with the hope of better
ing his condition, knew that but for
my persistence he wouldn't have at
tempted it. He looked up as came in.
and motioned me to close the door.
Six BELLS had just struck, and all the
passengers were below, SO we were not
likely to be disturbed. He asked me
where had seen the padre last.
"In the saloon. drinking rum and wa
ter. Why?"
"You haven't noticed him around the
after deck this evening. have you?"
mo, not once
"Fve had patent log towing astern
since eight bells. and I'm in hopes that
no one has seen It. Here's where we
were at noon" (poirting 20 penciled
cross on the chart). "and we've been
running twelve knots ever since. Now,
Findlay fixes the Santa Rosa at
about twelve-thirty moth. by a hun
dred and forty-four, fifteen cas-. And
it is laid down here a mile or two ench
side OF that. The wind has teen SO
light that we won't have to figure much
on lceway. and we've held her right on
the point of cas-. quarter moth, all
day; SO that she ought to make the
shoal some time in the morning watch.
say, six bells, or before. Diaz figured,
this afternoon. that his watch would he
on deck before we struck the position.
and told the pndre II would be around
breakfast time. If no one sees TINT
log. he isn't likely to change his mind.
Now, II by any lucky chance we do find
bottom there, I'll want your assist
ance; and you'll have 10 keep your wits
y ",
When / order the qnartermaster to
steer for Guajan. go below as quickly
ss you can and make your way aft. on
the lower deck. to cable lockers al tie
stern. Tnke the new log, in this box
here, and pay 1t out through the bitt
port, say about 30 fathom. being
mighty carefulyou don't foul the
screw with It. You'll ind a cross
brace Of angle iron. down there, that
Mac liked athwart the port to fasten
the register onssft's taffrai log-not
like til one I've got astern now; you've
got to haul that one in to read II.
'Iain't likely that anyone'll notice TIE
line, but you'll have to haul 1t in when
we get abreast of Cocos reef, SOS the
men won't notice il when they go be-
low to clear away the cable at Apra. I"
Before turning In, he took the log
from Its box and showed me exactly