The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-02-16

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yet, put into plain English, that is the
tale your friend tells"
1T il; have never doubted that from
the first. Captain Black is either the
most original villain living, or the whole
story is silly dream--besides, we have
yet to learn if he is the commander of the
nameless ship; we have also to learn II
the nameless ship is not myth"
remained above for half an hour, gaz-
ing over the great sweep of the Atlantic.
Paolo was on the bridge. l took all OPP
portunity Of watching him. l made pre-
tense to 20 to my cabin, and bawled a
goodnight to the mate as l went; but
it was only to put on felt slippers and to
get a warm coat, and I made my way
stealthily amidships. took a stand aft
of the shippers cabin, where 1 could pry,
yet not be seen. l heard Paolo address
several of the men forward, and it seemed
to me that his mode Of speech was not
quite that which should be between officer
and seaman.
1t CHANGED that in this watch the new
men were on deck, my old crew being in
the port watch. Suddenly, on the far hor-
lion over the starboard bow, 1 saw the
fare of a blue light, bright over the
water; and showing as it fared, the dark
hull of a great ship. Paolo himself struck
light to flare which he had with him on
the bridge, and answered the signal.
This action completely staggered me.
Without a thought rushed up the ladder
to the hurricane deck and stood beside
him. He started as he saw me, and
could see him biting his lips, while an
ugly look came into his eyes.
Good evening, Mister Mate" 1 said ;
will you kindly tell me why you burnt
that blue light?"
II burnt it to answer the signal yon-
der"
But that was no affair of ours !"
He shrugged his shoulders, and NUT.
tered something about custom. Yet in
another moment he made effort to recall
himself, and met me with an open, smil-
ing face which covered anger.
When turned in at last, the little wind
there was had fallen away. 1 must have
slept very heavily for an hour, when q
great sense Of unrest and waking weari
ness took me, and lay, now DOING, now
dreaming, so that in all my dreams saw
the face Of Paolo. seemed to walk the
decks Of the Oelsis, yet was Paolo thers
more strong and masterful than L.
Then the man Paolo stood over me
looking straight into my eyes; and wher
would have risen up to question him
was powerless. opened my eyes ant
saw, during the veriest reality of time
that others looked down into mine.
saw them for some small part Of a sec
ond, yet in the faint light that came from
the port l recognized the face and thu
form, and was certain of them; for tn,
man who had been watching me as l slep
was Paolo.
A quick sense of danger walked me thor
oughly then. I put my hand to the tai
Of the electric light and the white ray
| flooded the cabin. But the cabin wa
! empty and Roderick's dog sat by m,
trunk, and had, / could see, been licking
| my hand as I lay.
knew not how to make out the mean
ing of it; but was trembling from tn
horror Of the dream, and went above il
my fannels. looked into Paolo's bunk
and he slept there, in so heavy a sleel
that began to doubt altogether the trutl
of what had believed. How could thi
man have left my cabin as he had done
and yet now be berthed in his own? Tn
dream had cheated me, as dreams oftel
do
| But more sleep was not to be though
Of. fell to talk with Dan, and pace
the deck with him, asking what was hi
opinion of our new second mate.
Its not for me to be spoutin' abou
them as Is above me-" he said, "but 20
ask me a fair question. In course,
amt the party to be thinking i'll of an
man, but what do know know. He
no more'n a ship with a voice under tn
| forehatch@"
l laughed at him as I asked, "An
what's the matter with ship like that
Why shouldn't there be a voice under tn
fore-hatch, Dan"
well, you see, sir, as there amt nc
body alvin In that perticler place, 20
don't 60 for to look to hearin' of voices
or, in plain lingo, there's something quee
about it."
The sound of a gunshot to leewar
awoke me from my thoughts. Fearin
that some vessel lay In distress, we pu
the helm up and went half-speed for
time. We had cruised thus for five mir
utes or more when a terrific report burs
upon our ears. The thunderous echoin
of a great weapon which a man-of- wa
only could carry.
The sound died away slowly but In tn
same minute the fog lifted; and 1 saw
away a mile on the starboard bow, a spec
tacle which brought great flush upon m
face, and let me hear the sound of m
own heart beating.