The National tribune., 1903-07-16

guards of the vessel. His eyes were big
with news.
We've found out something" he said
in n stage-whisper Me and Sandy have
been trailing him down into the hold. 1t
was awful hard work keeping track of
him in the dark down there, and neither
me nor Sandy have bit of skin left on
our shins. He goes to a pipe about as
big as my leg. and which comes in
through the side of the hold. Its away
under water. Where it bends down right
at the elbow there is round cap or plate
screwed on, and he is tinkering round
screwing the bolts that holds this on.
There's a little wafer coming through now.
Is he trying to screw it up to stop the
water? If so. why don't he let the En-
gineer do it? That would seem to be the
Engineers business. Sandy's down there
now examining it as well as he can by the
light of matches. He's clean ont of
matches, and want to get some more to
take down to him."
''I'll go right down and look at it, said
Shorty. rising.
SO will T. answered 81.
"No, you'd better not try" said Pete.
''You never could get down there in the
world now. You'll have to climb over
boxes and barrels and all sorts of things,
and you will break your necks.'
Let me co. said the Deacon.
mo, you can't find your way neither"
persisted Pete. Its too awful rough.
Wen keep watch and tell you just how it
is. Give me some more matches, anybody
that's got 'em. I'll send Sandy up to tell
you more about it"
He secured box from the Deacon and
disappeared.
The Deacon and the boys looked dis
hold n council.
Now, what in the world do you sup
pos Billings is up to?' asked 81, when they
were out of earshOt.
Nothing good, you can bet your life
affirmed Shorty. ''If Billings had de-
cent thought. or one that would be of
benefit to anybody but himself. it would
bring on n stroke of paralysis. But what
can he be up to-"
''The Surgeon talked so much about
these owners trying to work off their old
rotten craft on the Government for big
money. by sinking them while in its SER
vice. that l became quite disturbed" said
the Deacon with troubled face. There $
been several cases of that kind down here
lately. You see, they know that the war
is almost over. and they are anxious to
get rid of their worthless old tubs at once
at n big price. If there had been any
other way 1 never would allowed Mother
and the girls to come on this boat, but we
couldn't help ourselves. But Billings
couldn't be such a scoundrel as that"
''Oh. couldn't hep chortled Shorty
and he will not ask any questions how
mean the job is. That's just what he's
up to. He means to sink this boat.
can understand now what Pete and Sandy
said about the lifeboat. Let's go over and
take look at it,
They walked over to the larboard side
Of the vessel and found hanging from its
Il h1n nl, e.. 1,,,. ...I,
ing, with the oars in it and .;ome other
articles that had no right to he there.
The lowering gear was found to be in eX-
cellent order, with pulleys oiled and the
ropes ready for immediate casting off.
Billings was on deck, and glowered at
them as he saw them approach the boat
and make careful inspection. They paid
no attention to this, however, but after
they had finished sauntered around to the
other boats as if impelled by landsman's
curiosity. They found all the others in
bad shape. One or two had the seams so
open that they could not float, ard their
lowering tackle was not fit for use in
emergency.
Sandy's head appeared above the hatch
and his eyes moved around the deck in
quick, anxious search of them. 81 caught
them and gave him Il look in return
which Sandy understood that they would
come down at once. They descended to
their room. where Sandy joined them.
"That black devil intends to sink this
ship" began Sandy Immediately when the
door had closed behind them. HE has
been unscrewing the bolts on the cap of
what they call the sea valve. It's pipe
about five inches through. which will let
the water run into the ship from the out
side. l have been talking with the En-
gineer and asking him all sorts of ques-
tions about the engines and pipes and
what they are for. They use the sea alive
when they want to drown out fire. and
for other things. l didn't let the E.ngi-
neer have any hint as to what l had
found. He may be in the scheme. hut
don't think so. or Billings would have set
him to monkeying with the valve instead
of doing it himself. He's got nearly all
the bolts unscrewed, so that just a little
more work when he is ready to open il
will let the water rush in. What are we
going to do?''
''The first thing is to tel Dr. Brookes."
said 81, with his ready resourcefulncss in
of danger "He's in command |
Of the boat. Billings will not do anything
more for a while yet. He's waiting his |
chance for q storm to come up or some.