The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-13

Dcara r-s-s--~ ~-~.., r,e- .ena--- rsA-~s
easily behind the tug UP to her dock.
She had made splendid time. but Brad
ley was far from happy. There was
trouble coming. and he knew 1t.
He sent word to the cook ordering
the latter TO unlock the stateroom door
and release the imprisoned first mate.
A minute later the cook came on deck.
his eyes shining with excitement.
MIR. Burke. he 20 right into the skip
per's room and shut the door," whis-
pered the Portuguese. And now they
talk. talk. talk. Aud Mr.. Burke he
swear all the time
When the first mate appeared he did
not speak 10 any one. but jumped TO
the wharf and hurried away. A doctor
was sent for and Captain Titcomb's
wound was dressed. The physician said
the injury was not serious. There was
no conclusion OF the brain. and the pa
| tent would be all right in couple OF
days.
Bradley didn't sleep much that night.
Next morning the captain sent for him.
When the second mate entered the
stateroom he found the skipper sitting
on the edge OF the berth with a big
handage on his head. but looking very
bright and like himself.
He seemed oddly embarrassed when
Bradley came in. For moment or
two he did not speak. The second mate,
who had expected scorching rcbukc
| and was prepared to meet it, was sur
. prised ut the mlldness OF the first re-
mark.
Now. then. Brad" said Captain Tit
comb, "set down. What's this about
You and the mate? Tell the whole
yarn. first and last"
SO Bradley told it just as il happen
ed-the crews behavior. his suspicious.
the sighting OF the light and what fol-
lowed
"Humph." Captain Ezra nodded.
"Yup, that's about what Burke said.
Now. Brad. l s'pose you knew that
Mr.. Burke was your superior officer
and that what he said was law for you.
didn't your
Yes, sir; but
Never mind the butts now. Taking
command by force is serious-mighty
serious"
II did what I thought was right.
Cap'n Ezra-what l b'lieved you'd
have been aground in ten minutes IL
l hadn't"
"Well, s'pose she would. There'd
have been no lives lost. Plenty OF
boats and a smooth sea-
But Mr. Burke knew she was headed
for the shoals. He must have known
1t. The owners would have"
what do you know about the own
ers and their affairs?"
But the schooner
'Shes a hulk. that's all-and In
sured."
The reply was an odd one but the
tone in which it was made was odder
still. Strange things had happened
during the past week: Captain Tit
combs silent III humor. the interview
the day before leaving New York. the
sudden change. OF mates. the shippers
studied Indifference to the demoraliza-
ton among the crew, Burke's frantic
determination to keep on the course set
by him even after the proximity to the
shoals had been proved beyond a doubt
all these were fingers pointing In one
direction. Bradley, however. had not
looked In that direction. But now tho
last wisp Of fog blew away and he
saw clearly.
"Cap'n En- he gasped. "Cap'n Ez.
Were you going TO wreck her on pur-
pose?"
The captain shifted in his seat, but
did not look at his companion.
Orders are orders he said. 'Mr.
burke was your skipper-with me out
OF the way-and you ought TO have
minded him. just as l should my own
ers"
Wreck vessel for her insurance..
groaned Bradley. Il didn't think you'd
do ii, Cap'n Ez. / didn't think you'd
do it!'
The dismay, the grieved disappoint-
ment and horror in his friends tone.
seemed TO hurt Captain Titcomb sore
ly. He glanced at Bradley and then
looked away again.
1--WE heard all sorts Of yarns about
you in Orham,' went on Bradley
They say you're too smart and that
you'll bear watching and all that. I've
called those that said it liars, and I've
stood by you through thick and thin.
But now What do you think they'd
say IL they Knew of this? What do yon
think Miss Prissy and Miss Tempy
would say? Why, they b'lieve you're
the hest''
ITO he Continued Next Sunday