Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-03-25

Pacific"
Robert went back to his wife, whom
he had left for the moment to speak to
the mate.
In few minutes there came a
| change peculiar to those seas as the
moon goes down. A gray haze seemed
to creep on and enveloped the steamer
from stem to stern, and they felt the
vessel tremble beneath them as her
speed was increased.
"Why is he running so fast?" said
Robert, uneasily. "He ought to know
that it is not safe in these seas"
Dick Bagley, the first mate, came
hurrying up from the cabin and cast Il
| look at the immovable figure above the
wheelhouse.
Rather thick isn't it, captain?" he
said, going half way up the ladder.
I've relieved you, Mr.. Bagley," re-
piled the captain, in thick tone
when you are wanted you will be
called"
BEG pardon, Captain Frazer, but I
thought"
go below, sir!''
The mate, who was a perfect ma
chine in obedience, at once left him
and went aft. On the way he spoke
| to the second mate, and a man was
sent forward to hang out heavier
light on the port bow. But the captain
saw him, and shouted to him:
Come in there, you lubber. or will
have you keel-hauled. What are you
doing with that lantern?''
Second mates orders, sir"
"The second mate has not got charge
of the deck at present. Take away
that lantern: 1 don't want to get up
torch-light procession in the North
Pacific. When 1 do I'll let the second
| mate know"
The man retired with the lantern and
Captain Frazer with an angry growl.
lifted the speaking tube and roared
some order to the engineer. The
steamer now fairly leaped under the
increased speed, and Robert Denzil
sprang forward.
''See here, captain" he said 81 don't
like to interfere with you in the dis.
charge of your duty, but this is little
too much. You are frightening the
ladies by running so fast, and"
you are the third man tonight who
has had something to say about this
steamer, Major DenZil," said the cap.
tain. "and if you will take FOOLS
advice you will drop it."
But, captain, we are right in the
track of returning whalers, and in this
fog We may be foul of one at any mo-
ment. There. what did l tell you?"
Light on the lee bow, close aboardp'
cried the lookout.
81 see her" said the captain.
STEADY there, you at the wheel. Let
another man interfere with me to.
night and he is a dead man. I'll cut
that ship in two piecesw
Robert saw that the captain was
mad with liquor and that unless some
thing was done quickly they were in
great danger. The ship was coming
down under fair sailing breeze with
the wind over her quarter, and unless
something was done at once they must
inevitably crash together and perhaps
send both ships to the bottom of the
sea. Looking over his shoulder he
saw the first mate looking at him with
a white, scared face.
Come with me-" he whispered. 1--WE
must do it to save human life"
Both men sprang upon the hurricane
deck together. AS they did so, Cap
tain Frazer thrust his hand into the
pocket of the loose sea coat he wore,
and Robert caught the shine of a pistol
barrel A sudden leap, the crack of
pistol, and a crashing blow succeeded.
and Captain Frazer lay upon his back
on the deck. and over him stood Robert
Denzil, his left arm useless at his side.
but with his foot upon the breast of
the mad captain. Dick Bagley caugh.
up the speaking tube and shouted an
order, and the head of the steamer fell
off, while she trembled in every joint
as The engineer laid on every pound of
steam which his boilers would bear.
1t was close shave, for a great whale
ship swept under their stern a moment
later, so close that the faces OF her hor
rified crew were plainly seen by the
light of the lanterns. And Robert
Denzil, at the expense of broken
arm, had purchased the safety of all
on board both steamer and ship, it
| may be.
From that hour Captain Frazer was
Il changed man. He still sails the At
lantic, and but only Robert Denzn.
Dick Bagley and the wheelman knew
why he no longer touches liquor. And
he loves Robert Denzil dearly, and has
often thanked him for that brave act.
| And Nina nau1i1 thar Iopnn,-