The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-06-17

believe; it all hangs upon the faith of
the men forward"
But if they realize he was insane.
surely they must also decide that his
treasure ship was likewise a de-
lusion."
shook my head. gravely doubling
| her conclusion.
4 regret to say l possess no such
| expectation. The average sailor. LADY
Darlington, is not given to reasoning;
he Is more a creature of impulse.
lear we are already too close to our
| goal to now be turned back by the
mates death. The men will insist on
completing the voyage. l intend to
nave the entire crew piped aft after
breakfast, and will talk to them.
wish you TO go on deck with me at
the time. and hear all that is said"
paused, intently watching the express.
sion of her face. Whatever decision
l may be driven to, hope it will not
forfeit me your respect"
"Oh, no."
You will retain confidence in me.
even if the bow of the Sea Queen con.
tinues to point southwark"
She lifted her gray eyes to mine in
unshadowed frankness.
Whatever you think best, Mr.. Ste.
| phens, shall believe to be right" she
responded, softly. will my trust help
you?"
1T is the one thing needed. Thus
armed l can fight it out"
The meal following was far from
| cheerful although the bright sun
streamed down through the deck tran
som TO fall in golden bars along the
able. as our thoughts would constant
ly recur to that silent figure lying in
the nearly bunk, while our converse
ton was largely about him, and the
consequences of his death
Finally, bidding both mistress ana
maid prepare themselves for an early
call to the deck. went forward to the
bydge, relieving De Nova while he de-
scended 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 | noticed
big Bill Anderson circulating among
the various groups, talking earnestly,
and felt convinced the crew was en-
deayoring TO settle upon some united
course of action. Brutal and I'M
learned as he was, the boatswain was
thorough sea-lawyer understanding
we'll how to influence his mates, and
with enough at stake in this game to
render him desperate. The second
mate joined me.
Call all hands aft. Mr. De Nova" |
said, after a glance into his face,
every man Jack of them, except the
two at the wheel. | will talk to them
from the rail"
took my position there, with Lady
Darlington and Celeste close az hand,
but somewhat sheltered under the lee
OF the longboat from the singing
wind. The herd came shufFling aft,
and ranged themselves awkwardly
enough on the open deck. De Nova
cast his eyes over them, counting,
then climbed the short ladder and
joined me
-NAA lNIG l4OHSIcuI. men lowered
his voice. +Mapes was dead in re
foc'stle"
'Mapes! Oh, he was the maa Eho
fell from the foreyard?"
~Oui, an It all makes re cre7g feel
scare"
glanced at the group, and around
at the stern vision of sea. Altogether
1t formed dismal, disheartening pic
tm'e-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.
Shuttiing impatiently, and occasionally
moving over to the rail to spit; the
yacht long battered by the seas
stripped of every unnecessary adorn-
nent, her matches battened down, her
funnel rusty, her sails close reefed
her forward deck a sheet of glistening
ice, the sharp wind whistling through
the frozen rigging as she staggered
through cold, gray. wintry sea,
srrainlng 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 indelbly upon my
mind. and | cluug to the rair. gazing
about and down into those apturned
faces below.
Men, | said. finally, shadowing my
HIPS with one hand to keep the words
from being blown away, Il am no sea
orator, ana what | have 10 say win 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. You
are no regular articled crew, on an
ordinary voyage between ports. None
OF you have signed papers, and you
have no lawful officers to take charge.
II happens I'm the only navigator on
board, and so I've called you aft, after
talking with Mr. De Nova about it, to
get your ideas on what ought to 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
0nllV nm n mo faot