The Washington times., 1906-07-22

the body was sewn up in canvas, and
the skipper held a short service com
piled with a Bible which belonged TO
the mate. and what he remembered
OF the burial service proper. Then the
corpse went overheard with a splash.
and the men. after standing awkward
ly together for few minutes SLOWLY
dispersed to their duties.
For the rest of that day We were All
very quiet and restrained: pity for
the dead man being mingled with
dread of taking the wheel when night
came
The wheels haunted" said the
cook. solemnly; mark my words.
there's more OF you will be took the
same way Daddy was.
The cook, like myself. had no watch
TO keep.
The men bore up pretty well until
night came on again. and then they
unanimously resolved 20 have
double watch. The cook. sorely
against his will was impressed into
the service. and 1, glad 10 oblige my
patron. agreed 10 stay up with Bill
Some of the pleasure had vanished
by the time night came. and 1 seemed
Bin came and with "a rough shake
or two. informed me that the time had
come. Any hope that l might have
had OF escaping the ordeal was at once
dispelled by his expectant 6emeanor,
and the helpful way IN which he assist
ed me with my clothes. and. yawning
terribly. / followed him on deck.
The night was not 50 clear as the
preceding one. and the air was chilly.
with a little moisture in A. I buttoned
up my jacket. and thrust my hands in
nv pockets.
Everything quiet?' asked Bill, as
he stepped up and took the wheel
"Ay. ay." said Roberts. quiet as
the grave" and, following by his will
ing mate he went below.
I sat on the deck by Bills side. as.
with a light touch on the wheel. he
kept the brig TO her course. 1t was
weary work sitting there. doing moth
ing. and thinking OF the warm berth
below. and believe that I should have
fallen asleep. but that my wnt
companion stirred me with his foot
whenever he saw me nodding.
/ supposed l must have sat there.
shiveriEg and yawning. for half an
hour when. tired Of inactivity. I got
up and went and leaned over the side
OF the vessel The sound OF the water
gurgling and tapping by was so sooth-
ing that I began to doze.
was recalled To my senses by a
smothered cry from BIZ. and running
10 him. I found him staring to port
IN an intense and uncomfortable fash
ion. At my approach, he took one
hand from the wheel, and gTipped my
arm so tightly that ! was like TO have
screamed with the pain OF IL.
Jack" said he. IN a shaky voice.
while you was away something
popped its head Up. and looked over
the shiD's side"
You've been dreaming" said I. In a
voice which was a very fair imitation
OF Bills own.
Dreaming" repeated Bill dream
ing, All. look thereI"
lie pointed with outstrstched finger.
and my heart seemed to stop beat
ing as I saw a mans head appear
above the side. For a brief space
il peered at US IN silence, and then
a dark figure sprank like a cat on TO
the deck. and stood crouching a short
distance away.
A mist came before my eyes. and my
tongue failed me. but Bill let off
roar. sIch as I have never heard be-
fore or since. u was answered from
below, both aft and for ard. and the
men came running up on deck just as
they left their beds.
What's up2' shouted the skipper.
glanclng aloft.
For answer. Bill pointed TO the in
truder. and the men. Who had just
caught sight OF him. came up and
formed a compact knot by the wheel
Come over the side. IT did" painted
Bill, come over Ike a ghost out u
the sea"
The skipper took one Of the small
lamps from the pinnacle. and, holding
IL al0ft, walked boldly up 10 the cause
Of alarm. In the little patch Of light
We saw a ghasly black bearded mar.
dripping with water, regarding US with
unwinklug eyes. which glOwed red In
the light Of the lamp.
Where did you come from7" asked
the skipper.
The figure shook It's head.
Where did YOU come from?" he re-
peated, walking up. and laying his
hand on the others shoulder
Then the intruder spoke. but in "A
strange fashion and IN strange words.
We leaned forward 20 listen. but even
when he repeated them. we couIa
make nothing of them.
He's a furriner." said Roberts.
'Biest II I've ever card The lingo
afore. said BIZ. Does anybody
rekeruize it?"
Ncbody did and the skipper. after
another attempt. gave it up. and fau-
ing back upon the universal language
of signs, pointed first 10 the man ana