, 1909-05-13

enough space within to contain &
deal table. locker, and three rude
benches. sat down upon one of
these. filled and lighted my pipe and
waited in silence, gazing idly at the
chart pinned fiat on the table. It was
a map Of these waters lying of the
Chilean coast, and a vessels course
had been pricked upon 1t from Juan
fernandez to Valparaiso. This did
not particularly interest me, and my
thought drifted naturally to the WON.
an impatiently awaiting my return in
the cabin. What a distressing situa-
tion for one of Lady D~arlington's birth
and refinement! And yet with what
dignity of manner had she met he
unexpected! 1t was plain to be seen
That hers was a heart of courage, not
easily broken under adversely.
And how could I hope to serve her?
What would this crew of hell-hounds.
these merciless sea-wolves, permit me
TO o Trans-ship them upon some
passing vessel? Put into some iso.
lated island port? This was scarcely
likely, for either act would involve
the danger of an exposure they would
be little inclined to assume COM
pretended already that 1t would be
according to their decision, and not
min had been plainly informed
now little my control extended over
their desires. And whittier were we
bound? Into what strange seaso Into
what species of wild adventure? The
infer imnnScihilitu IF Iyaa,,~ Lzz-
two concealed below for any length of
time was clearly evident. Ship life was
far too restricted. Both futile and
De Nova would naturally expect to
lodge aft, n 1t was a privilege they
could not easily be denied. Yet what
would they say. how would they act.
when they finally discovered these two
unwilling passengers aboard? What
was my duty in all the circumstances?
1t was all a deep. unsolvable mystery.
yet out of its mist constantly foated
the appealing face of that woman
awaiting me below. I could not desert
her. could not consider anything
except how might best serve her in.
terests. best protect her from the con.
tamination of this hell afoat.
Three shadows suddenly darkened
the doorway, and futile, accompanied
by De Nova and the big seaman named
Bill Anderson, entered. The second
officer nodded to me In genial fash
ion. his white eeth cleaning. bal
Anderson slouched surlily past and
dropped heavily on a bench, his coarse
bulldog features devoid of all express
sion, his square jaws munchin the
tobacco in his cheek. l took notice oil
his eyes, staring straight out oil the
window opposite, dull, dog-like, deeply
sunken under matched brows, MS SKIN
like brown leather drawn tight, his
short red neck, and gnarled hands. AL
together he appeared a repulsive
brute, no more easily subdued han a
j.asle tiger. Tuttle sided along to
the opposite side of the table, upon
which he placed a tightly rolled, yer
lowish backed paper. evidently 4 naVl
eating chart. AS / watched him curl
ous.y, he suddenly pressed h point
OF his thumb down upon the paper.
There's our first port, Mr.. Steph-
ems he announced doSmatically'
There, where you see that red cross.
| bent over. startled out of all as
sumed Indifference as l studied the
position indicated.
Longitude no. 3O> west, and lati-
tude So II SOUTH" l exclaimed,
scarcely crediting either ears or eyes.
why, good God. man, h a is almost
upon the antarctic circle!"
He nodded, running his long fingers
through his thin hair.
Right you are, sir. l guess there
won't be no warships a-trailin after us
down in them latitudes; not at this
season of the year"
But there's nothing there!" l con
tinued. staring incredulously at the
map. Nothing but fog n floating
ice. There is no land marked within
500 miles,"
Just the same there's LAND there"
he retorted, positively. his thin lips
nressed together I've seen it: Two