The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1906-05-31

months cruise. Besides, think of get
ting home in the middle of August,
with every one away"
Brave as he was in the presence Of
his friends, in the privacy Of his state
room Monty gave way to the depres-
sion that was bearing down upon him.
It was the hardest task of his life to go
on with his scheme in the face of oppo-
sition. He knew that every man and
woman on board was against the prop
osition, for his sake at least, and it was
difficult to be arbitrary under the cir
cumstances. Purposely he avoided Peg
gy all forenoon. His single glance at
her face in the salon was enough to dis
turb him UNNECESSARILY.
The spirits of the crowd were sub
dued. The North cape had charms, but
the proclamation concerning it had
been too sudden-had reversed too
quickly the general expectation and de-
sire. Many of the guests had plans at
home for August, and even those who
mad none We're satiated with excite
ment During the morning they gath
|
ton. They We're all generous, and each
one was sure that he could cruise in
definitely if on Montys account the
new voyage were not out of the cues
ton. They felt it their duty to take
desperate stand.
The half hearted little gatherings re-
solved themselves into ominous groups.
and in the end there was a call for a
general meeting in the main cabin.
Captain Perry, the first mate and
the chief engineer were included in
the call, but Montgomery Brewster
was not to be admitted. Joe Brag-
don loyalty agreed to keep him en-
gagged elsewhere while the meeting
was in progress. The doors were
locked, and cursory glance assured
the chairman of the meeting, Dan De-
Mile, that no member Of the party
was missing save the devoted Brag-
don. Captain Perry was plainly nerv-
GUS and disturbed. The others were
the victims Of a suppressed energy
that presaged subsequent eruptions.
captain Perry, we are. assembled
for purpose" said DeMille, clearing
bis throat three times. "First of all,
as we understand it, you are the sail
ing master Of this ship. In other
words, you are, according to maritime
law, the commander Of this expedition.
| You alone can give orders to the sail
| ors, and you alone can clear a port.
Mr.. Brewster has no authority except
in
Am correct?'
Mr.. DeMille, if Mr.. Brewster in
| structs me to sail for the North cape
I shall do So" said the captain firmly.
This boat is his for the full term of
the lease, and l am engaged to sail
her with my crew until the 10th of
next September"
eve understand your position, cap
tain, and l am sure you appreciate
ours. 1t isn't that we want to end a
very delightful cruise, but that we
regard it as sheer folly for Mr.. Brew
ster to extend the tour at such tre-
mendous expense. He is-or was-a
rich man, but it is impossible to ig-
more the fact that he is plunging much
too heavily. In plain words, we want
to keep him from spending more of his
money on this cruise. Do you under
stand our position, Captain Perry?''
"Fully. I wish with all my soul that
could help you and him. My hands
are tied by contract, however, much as
regret it at this moment"
'How does the crew feel about this
additional trip, captain?'' asked De-
Mile.
''They shipped for five months and
will receive five months pay. The
men have been handsomely treated,
and they will stick to Mr.. Brewster to
the end,'' said the captain.
'There is no chance for a mutiny,
then?" asked Smith regretfully. The
captain gave him hard look, but said
nothing. Everybody seemed uncom-
Portable.
apparently the only way is the one
suggested by Mr.. Smith this morning."
said Mrs. Dan, speaking for the wo-
men. ''No one will object, I am sure,
If Captain Perry and his chief officers
are allowed to hear the plan.''
| ~ 10 FCAy AeCcSSdIy. Ill ldCL, Sdlu
Mr.. Valentine. eve cannot proceed
without them. But they will agree
with us, I am sure, that it is wise.'
An hour later the meeting broke up,
and the conspirators made their way
to the deck. It was a strange fact that
no one went alone. They were in
groups Of three and four, and the mys-
terry that hung about them was almost
perceptible. Not one was willing to
face the excited, buoyant Brewster
without help. They found strength and
security in companionship.
Peggy was the one rebel against the
conspiracy, and yet she knew that the
others were justified in the step they
proposed to take. She reluctantly join
ed them in the end, but felt that she
was the darkest traitor in the crowd.
Forgetting her own distress over the
way in which Monty was squandering
his fortune, she stood out the one de-
fender of his rights until the end and
l