The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-03-24

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Whatever you think best. Mr.. Ste:
phens, i shall believe TO be right" she
responded, softly. VIII my trust help
your" I ~
ut is the one thing needed. Thus
armed | can fight II OUT rs
- The meal following was far from
cheerful, although the bright sun,
streamed down through the deck tran
som Ito fall In golden bars along the
table, as our thoughts would constant;
" recur to that silent figure lying in.
the nearby bunk, while our converse
ton was largely about him, md the
consequences Of his death.
Finally, bidding both mistress and
maid prepare themselves for an early
call to the deck, | went forward to the
bridge, relieving De Nova while he de.
seconded to the main cabin for his
breakfast. The crew had already com.
pleted their meal and swarmed out Of
the forecastle. apparently aware that
something was in the wind. i noticed
biz Bill Anderson circulating among
the various groups, talking earnestly,
and felt convinced the crew was en-.
deayorlng to settle upon some united
course OF action. Brutal and un-
learned as he was. the boatswain was 4
thorough sea.lawyer, understanding
well how to influence his mates, and
with enough at stake In this game to
render him desperate. The second
mate joined me. tlEGy5,s ( Sri. Y y.
Call all hands aft. Mr.. De Nova !
said. after n glance Into his face.
every man Jack Of them, except the
two at the wheel. will talk TO them
from the rail-" 4,
took my position there, with Lady
Darlington and Celeste close at hand,
but somewhat sheltered under the lee
Of the longboat from the singing
wind. The herd came shutting aft.
and ranged themselves awkwardly
enough on the open deck. De Nova
cast bis eyes over them. counting.
then climbed the short ladder and
Joined me. s .tej q.
5"All here, monsieur" Then lowered
his voice. &"Mapes was dead in re
fo'c'stle."
"Mapes! Oh. he was the man Who
fell from the foreyard?'
"Oui, an 1t all makes re crew feel
scare"
glanced at the. group. and around
at the stern vision Of sea. Altogether
It formed dismal, disheartening pic.
ture-the men, bundled up in their
heavy clothing. stamping their feet on
the deck, their ragged boards forking
out. their eyes cleaning beneath the
peaks Of WOODEN caps drawn low,
shutting lmpatiently. and occasionally
moving over to the rail to spit; the
yacht, long battered by the sens
stripped Of every unnecessary adorn.
ment, her matches battened down, her
funnel rusty, her sails close reefed
her forward deck a sheet Of glistening
ice, the sharp wind whIslling through
the frozen rigging as she staggered
through a cold, gray, wintry sea,
straining and grooming In every timber
as the cleaning surges struck her
quarter and the relentless wheel held
her to the course. The whole view
photographed Itself indelibly upon MY
mind. and | chung to the rail. gazing
about and down Into those upturned
faces below. q u l55 MI
Men," said. finally, shadowing my
lips with one hand 10 keep the words
from being blown away,s"I am no sea
orator, and what have to say. will be
short. No doubt you know pretty
well already what has happened on
board during the night. All | need say
Is. that Mr.. futile is dead; he went
crazy. and shot himself. Now, the
reason | called you aft is this Yo,
are no regular articled crew. on ar
ordinurylyoyngc between ports. None
Of you have signed papers, and yo,
have no lawful officers TO take charge
1t happens I'm the only navigator on
board. and so I've called you aft, after
talking with Mr.. De Nova about It, te
get your ideas on what ought 10 be
done. Some Of you speak up until We
can find out what your notions are"
No one among them made any re
Spouse, the long row Of eyes staring
duly up at ME. the feet shutting Ii
uneasiness. 4, n " 3 s Z.
Come, Anderson. open up. You've
been sounding the men for IN honl
past. What's your, plan 2" ~
The boatswain,, thus directly singled
out from the others, pushed his wa!
TO the front. CHANGING sideways Into
the faces Of his mates. ,i5s .}l3sss ~
well. we have talked about it a bit
Mr.. Stephens. but l dunno us we've
quite decided his graff voice borne
10 us on the wind. How far are we
from the islands what Mr.. futile told
about% i,S5 5is "a.
NEARLY 200 miles 10 the northwest
The big sailor cast his eyes over the
side at the sea view. slowly turning
the quld In his cheek. 4 Nj !
AN the wind right. faint much oil
4 run, sir, after what we've already
had gettln' here, ! recken you could
find that pint O sea T.. 81
".Yes," | acknowledged, almost re
luctantly,.'I can find It, unless the fec
shuts us in first But what's the use
In taking such a chance. Anderson!
futile was probably Just as crazy
about that matter as he was over
1 - IT. n !.