Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-06

names before he came TO Wilson'S and the
captain nad made no sign. but when he
came TO wilson's the old mans eyes closed
tightly once. Again ahd.again Parton tried
the experiment, until at last he was thor
oughly satisfied that the old man wished
to have him call Wilson
He lost no time in hurrying to the deck.
and backward glance at the captain
seemed to show an expression of satisfac-
ton on his face.
sailor was busy coiling rope not far
from the entrance to the companionway
Most of the watch which were at the time
on duty were busy near him. The mate
was standing by them, watching them surl-
lily. He glanced at Parton in some surprise
and a gleam of hatred shot across his face.
Parton him, of course, but he paid no
attention to him Whatever. He spoke to
the sailor nearest to him.
go and tell Wilson, said Parton quick
ly, ITO come aft at once Look sharp"
'Stay where you are said the mate,
taking step forward
The man who had jumped to his feet and
was evidently about to start, hesitated for
an instant. Parton looked first at the mate
and then at the man. The position was
difficult one.
DO 1 tell you" he said finally to the
sailor. do l tell you and look sharp
about it. The captain of this ship wishes
to see Wilson in the cabin. Go and tell
him to come aft. The captain is in COM
mand again. Do as tell YOU"
1t was instantly evident that the mate
did not intend to permit the man to CO.
and Parton saw chances of new difficult
ties. The situation, however, admitted OF
no delay. Parton made quick step to-
ward the mate, who involuntarily retreated
few feet.
The man rose and went forward after
Wilson. The mate and Parton remained
almost absolutely quiet during his absence.
In moment he returned, followed by the
wondering Wilson.
GO down into the cabin, Wilson," said
Parton, still keeping his eyes on the mate.
Wilson, wonderingly did he was told
He had almost disappeared into the COM
panionway when Parton started after him.
The mate made movement as If to fol-
low.
''You are not to come down." said Par
ton, calmly. THAT is another order from
the captain of the ship
The mate still followed him as he took
another step or two toward the compan-
ionway. Parton feared that his presence
there would annoy and confuse the cap
tain, who was already under a great
strain. He made up his mind quickly.
Stopping short where he was, he made an
appeal to the four or five men who were
watching the scene curiously.
Men, he said, calmly, but very slowly
and distinctly, the captain does not wish
to nave the mate come below at present /
am sorry that this is so. but it is Now if
he makes any attempt to follow me into
the CABIN the captain wants you to prevent
MN from doing so. Do you understand"
that Wilson had been right when he had
said that the men were ready to mutiny
against the mate Three of them instantly
stepped before the companonway door
w men Parton approached they separated
and let him pass. The mate stopped swore
at them viciously and walked away. The
tables We're turned
Once inside the cabin, Parton explained
to Wilson as quickly as he could the sit
uation. The man heard the extraordinary
story with open-mouthed attention
During this short PREDATORY statement the
captain tthey We're standing close at the
SIDE OF his BERTH watched them intently
Once or twice Parton asked questions of
him which he answered by winking as be-
fore. The sailor was greatly IMPRESSED by
thls. Parton saw that he was trying him
SER TO see If he could detect the odor of
burning, which Parton believed that the
acute nostrils of the sick man had found
or which the captain thought that they had
round The sailor suddenly put his head
under the cabin table The deck there was
covered by heavy, cheap rug. The sailor
pulled 1t away.
Il can smell it myself, SIR" he said ex-
citediy. The smells coming up through
Parton had not even known that there
was a hatchway concealed by the rug. The
captain showed by his face that he was
satisfied with the way things were going on
II l could heaNe her off, sir" Wilson
went on, Il could soon tell what's the mat
ter; but | can't do, il alone. I'd have to
have another man." r,7f .....t.t.l
Instantly Parton went to the companion
way and ran to the deck. y He said moth
ing, but beckoned to the first man he saw
to come below.
The sailor went below with Parton. The
latter made no explanations to him. He
could smell the smoke himself by this time,
he thought. He hurriedly explained to the
man what was in the air, and babe him
help Wilson In removing the hatch
by God!' said the sailor; that's what
makes the deck hot amidshps. The cargos
smolderfn'. l said that deck was hotter'n
I'd ever known deck to be before. an
the mate he told me to go to HI. Said I'd
find things hotter yet down there
The labor Of pushing the table out of the
way and lifting the heavy hatch took not
more than ten minutes; but 1t seemed like
a long time to Parton. They had not raised
one edge of it more than fraction Of an
inch before their fears were confirmed. A
thin stream of smoke curled through the
opening. simultaneously they dropped their
hold of it.
Better leave 1t down. sir" said Wilson.
'1t'l burn ten times as fast if the air gets
to 1t. l was on a ship on fire at sea once
before Better keep everything as tight as
possible"
Parton glanced at the captain The old
mans face was drawn into lines of anxiety
He met Partons gaze with a slow, single
wink.
What do you mean, captain?' ask2d Par
ton rs the man right? Is it better to
leave the hatch DOWN.
The captain winked once
What shall we do?" asked Parton.
Shall tell the mate and have the hold
pumped full?'
The captains eyes said NO"
you don't mean to abandon the ship do
you?" asked Parton In surprise
The captains eyes Enthusiastically said
Yes" and Parton knew the reason for it,
He was thinking of the danger that the fire
would reach the Humberite and blow them
up.
Shall l tell the mate to have the boats
manned and abandon the shp?" asked Par
ton.
There could be no doubt about the mean
ing of the captains following movement OF
the eye-lid. Parton understood. The ex-
plosive, which would burn harmlessly when
unconfned. was first sealed in cans ana
then confined in the ships hold and packed
tightly round about with cargo Its exp,o-
sion would mean certain destruction
Parton turned to the two men. 1t would
not do to let them know the danger which
they were really in. He said nothing about
the Humberite and its dreadful POSSIBLE
ties.
His work was cut out for him and there
was plenty of it. He must notify the mate
of the dreadful situation. rush below and
get his diamonds if he could, tell these men
here to get some clothes on the sick man,
apJ do n binacaIf if thew uyara 200 1,n,1J,,