Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-30

ting regulations, Ives hailed loudly:
"Ahoy, Laughing Lassi Alloy, Billy
Edwards!''
No sound, no animate motion, came
from aboard that apparition as she
fell aStern. A shudder of horror ran
across the Wolverines quarter deck.
wrath ship, peopled with skeletons,
would have been less dreadful to their
sight than the brisk and active desola
ton of the heeling schooner.
Been deserted since early last
night" said Trendon hoarsely.
How can you tell that?" asked Bar
nett
Both sails reefed down, ready for
that squat. Been no weather since to
call for reefs. Must have quit her
during the squall."
Then they jumped" cried Carter,
''for l saw her boats. 1t isn't believa
ble''
Neither was the other" said Tren-
don grimly.
A hurried succession of orders stop
ped further discussion for the time.
Ives was sent aboard the schooner to
lower sail and report. He came back
with staggering dearth of informa-
ton. The boats We're all there; the
ship was intact-as intact as when
Billy Edwards had taken charge-but
the CHEEKY, lovable ensign and his
men had vanished without trace or
clew. As to the how or the wherefore
they might rack their brains without
guessing There was the beginning of
u log in the ensign's handwriting,
which Ives had found with high eX
element and read with bitter disap-
pointment.
Had squall from northeast" it ran.
Double reefed her, and she took ii
nicely Seems Il seaworthy, quick ship.
Further search for log. No result.
Have ordered one Of the crew who is
bit of Il mechanic to work at the
brass bound chest till he gets it open.
He reports marks on the lock as il
somebody had been trying to pick 1t
before him.
There was no further entry
.Dr. Trendon is right" said Barnett.
whatever happened-and God only
| KNOWS W hat IL COulu HdNt
happened just after the squall.'
Just about the time of the strange
glow" cried Ives.
1t was decided that two men and
petty officer should be sent aboard the
| Laughing Lass to make her fast with
a cable and remain on board over
night But when the order was given
| the men hung back. One of them pro
tested brokenly that he was sick.
Trendon after examination reported to
| the captain.
Case of blue funk, sir Might as
| well be sick. Good for nothing. 9th
ers aren't much BETTER
| "Who was to be in charger
"Congdon," replied the doctor, NAM
| ing one of the petty officers.
| He's my cockswain," said Captain
| Parkinson. "A first class man. l can
| hardly believe that he is afraid. Well
see''
| CongdOn was sent for.
! You're ordered aboard the schooner
for the night Congdon," said the cap
| tain. .t.
| Eyes, sir"
rs there any reason why you do not
wish to go?'
The man hesitated, looking misera-
| ble.- Finally he blurted out, not with
out certain dignity:
| Il obey orders, sir.'
Speak out, my man. urged the cap
| tain kindly
| "Well, sir, it's Mr. Edwards. then.
You couldn't scare him off a ship, sir,
unless it was something -something''-
He stopped, failing of the word.
You know what Mr.. Edwards was,
ksir, for pluck" he concluded.
| "Wasw cried the captain sharply
what do you mean?"
'The schooner got him, sir. You don't
make no doubt of that. do you, sir?"
| The man spoke in Il hushed voice,
with q shrinking glance back of him
| "Will you go aboard under Mr..
Ives?'
Anywhere my officer goes I'll go
and gladly, SIR"
| Ives was sent aboard in charge. For
| that night, in Il light breeze. the two
| ships lay close together, the schooner
riding jauntily astern But not until
morning illumined the world of wa
tiers did the Wolverines people feel
confident that the Laughing Lass would
not vanish away from their ken like
| shape of the mist.