Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-03-23
CHAPTER IL

beuIIy anu Win PAcuSdDle HESITATION
the naval officer raised the brim Of the
large hat and displayed the face of a
living man. There could be no doubt
about it. The strong face bore the signs
Of perfect health-the brown hair and
closely cropped beard were glossy with
life
He's asleep whispered one of the
sailors-a young man who had not
known discipline long.
''Halloo, my man! Wake up" called
out the young officer, clapping the
sleeper on the back.
The effect was instantaneous. The
sleeper opened his eyes and rose to his
feet simultaneously, releasing himself
from the rope which was hitched over
the back of his chair. Despite ragged
shirt and trousers, despite the old Pana-
ma hat with it's limp brim, despite bare
feet and tarry hands, there was some
thing about this sailor which placed him
on a par with the officer. These social
distinctions are too subtle for most of us.
We can feel them, but to explain is be-
yond us. We recognize a gentleman, but
we can in nowse define one. This sail
or's action was perfectly spontaneous and
''NN~
an unconscious assertion of social equal
ity.
AN English officer he exclaimed,
holding out his hand. L am glad to
see the uniform again
The small man nodded his head with
out speaking, but he grasped the brown
hand somewhat tremendously. The form
of greeting was also extended to the two
seamen by the ragged sailor.
"Are YOU in command of this vessel?'
incurred Lieut. Grace, looking round crit
ically.
Il am-at present. l shipped as sec
ond mate. but have now the honor OF be-
inc captain, and bottle washer
The men moved away, looking about
+ba,n curiously. The younger made Tor
tbe deck house, seeking the compan-
ion way below.
"Halloo! :" exclaimed the solitary mari
nor ..where arc you men going to? Hold
hord There YOU fellows! Let me go
down first.
The stoutly built little officer held up
q warning hand to his men. linen he
turned and looked keenly into ms com
nanion's face. The glance was returned
with the calm speculation OF man VINO
had not yet found his normal match.
"yallow feyer?" Intercepted Grace.
..ypllow fever" answered the other,
with q short nod. 81 will go first
Smiling the action to the word he led
tba way, and the young officer followed
closely. At the head of the companion
ladder the sailor stopped.
"What is to-day he inquired, alb
ruptly.
''Thursday.'
"It was Tuesday when I dashed myself
=, tbot chair. | must have been sleep
ing forty-eight hours. -. to-
"And YOU have had no food since
then?" - + +ou
Won remember taking the wheel at
midday on Tuesday; since then L aoh
oxoctIv know what | have done.
no had descended the brass-bound steps
- nc be smoke the last words he LED the
WV into the saloon. A sail had oeen
cost over the open skylight, so that tne
Ell clare of day failed to penetrate INTO
.ba roomv cabin. Upon the oilcloth-coV
cred table lay rolled sneet ol ~" W.
naper in the rough form OF torci' anu
beside it box of matches ~
~ burn brown paper said the saiio',
quietly, as he struck iish, ana 49, T
tbe paper-''it is the only dlsinfee'ah'
have left
..yo,, naed II ~ exclaimed the ofhcer'
Tn tbe meantime the other had advanc-
- f,r+ber into the cabin. Upon the MOOR
81 the table, with their heads resting
80 tbe hatch of the lazarette, lay TWO
upoA hose forms were distinguishable De-
ne. tho dnsky sheets cast over them.
"' Those are the last of nineteen en- said
-anaod man. waving aside the acrid
guy az have buried seventeen my
s snlf and nursed nineteen That nat IS en r
sen Sized this the first mate. They quar-