, 1909-05-27
CHAPTER XIV.
In Which De Nova Speaks.

In Which De Nova Speaks.
What now occurred came upon us
with such s~uddenness that | find IL
difficult to relate the incidents in de
tail. We must have been below the
fiftieth degree of south latitude, and
about 135 degrees west, with the wind
strong and occasionally putting up
into squalls, bearing flakes of snow
which stung exposed flesh and left a
thin mantle of white along the decks.
1t was Tuttle's watch below, and as |
paused in the protection of the com.
panionway looking forward. while |
got my pipe going, | could see De
Nova on the bridge. wrapped up like "A
mummy. and %crouching well down be
mind the ~tarpaulins. All about was II
wild sea scene, never to be looked
upon amid any other stretch of waters
on the globe-a dull. dead picture OF
utter desolation, of madly racing
waves, of green, sullen sea, Of pale
blue sky, the very frost in the air ap-
parent; a cold, drear expanse of mo-
notonous distance wherever the eye
looked-a desert OF water below, a
void OF air above. Big Bill Anderson,
his head still bound up where | had
cracked him, slouched in the doorway
of the charthouse. staring aft, and a
moment later De Nova came lumber
ing down the steps from the bridge
n spoke with him for some earnest
ly. The boatswain finally went for
ward. clinging to a lifeline to keep
footing on the slippery deck. and the
second officer clawed along the wealth
Grail until he reached the companion.
Il would like TO have talk wiz you,
Mons. Stephens" he said, quite re
specially. swaying to the wild leaps
OF the vessel. Maybe If We go to ze
lee OF re cabin here we'll be out of re
win"
| followed him in silence. wondering
what could be coming now. yet ready
enough to take advantage of any OPP
portunity which might present itself.
De Nova braced his back against the
rail, his cap drawn so low that | could
perceive little of his face but the gilt
ter of black eyes.
We're a little bit bozzered wat to
do, Anderson an me-" he began, evil
IDENTIFY ill at ease and scarcely know
ing o to express himself, IAN so we
talk 1t ovaire, an decide maybe we
bettah speak wiz you about 1t now. be-
fore re mattaire get NOR bad, or ze
men forward catch on to re facts an
get ugly. Maybe 1t come out all right,
maybe not, but, by gar. 1t amt no
nice job to go sail bout zese seas I'M
der a madman-sacre, noni"
"A madman!" | echoed In amaze
ment do you mean Tuttle?"
He nodded gravely, his expression
devoid OF all merriment.
"'Tis re way 1t was. We not know
sure w'ezzer you see It Eat way or no,
but, damme, Mons. Stephens, IL re
fellow amt mad as re March hare. He
was re hne sailor all right-oui. Eat
was true-nobody get out Of re
Sea Queen ian he get. Sacrs! he
drive re sheep hard; It make my hair
white re way he hol' on. Maybe I no
be 'fraid to take re chance of 20 voy-
age II 1t Just be all men on board. l
not care zen, for risk my life wiz re
ozzers. But, monsieur. l keep myself
" iii vi &c dults w" "a
how Eat fellow was gettin' more crazy
all re time. Sacre! 1t makes me
crazy. too. Zere's no KNOWN wat he
dc wen he Eat way; he take spells
wen maybe he murder. l hear him
mutter 1t: I see 1t in ze mans eye. He
was much afraid Of you monsieur. an
Eat is re time wen such fellows get
wat you call TIE dangaire."
/ stared into the mates face. barely
able to comprehend this quick justi-
fcation OF my forobodings. brought so
| closely home. futile was odd enough
to be sure, eccentric in both word and
action. cracked undoubtedly in mat
| tiers Of spiritism. but that he was a
really dangerous lunatic had never
once entered my head. I shivered at
sudden realization OF the peril we were
In. but remained only partially on
WINGED.
What reason have you to think the
mar as bad as all that?"
Well. monsieur. | watch him for
long time; Bill. he watch him. for we
not like re way he act since we first
sail. Maybe he be luny before zeE
but he get worse on re voyage. Bill
| an me. we talk 1t all ovaire, an u
mate not tell &c same story re way he
did in Valparaiso. He forget some. he
add more. BY gar. | lose much my
| faith in it. II vat shin show M or q
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