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


/ In Which ! Again Come to Command.
Dade awoke me. the gray light of
the Antarctic day streaming in through
the portfolio.
Il pounded on the door twice, sir"
ne explained, quickly, but you was
sleepin' so hard l had to come in.
Somethin' s gone wrong in Mr.. Tut
ties stateroom, sir"
Wrong! what do you mean?"
We'll, sir a gun went off in there
just now, an"
was already upon my feet, pulling
on my clothes.
Run up on deck and ask De Nova
to come down here at once. Lively
now my lad"
The two had already reached the
foot of the companion stairs when |
came out, and Dade had evidently
made the situation clear to the mind
of the creole.
Have you been in zare. monsieur"
he asked, anxiously.
No, not yet. but I fear the worst,
T and thought it would be better for us
to go together. Stand by, Dade. for
We may need you"
The ex-whaleman was lying on the
floor in curlCd-up heap, a revolver
resting beside him, perhaps a foot
from his hand. The pungent odor of
powder was still in the room. We
turned him over, revealing a bullet
wound just in front of the ear. Be
yond all doubt he had shot himself
while sitting upon the edge of the
bunk, and had tumblef forward dead
before he struck the deck | glanced
toward De Nova, who stood staring
silently down at the dead man, and at
Dade, almost yellow with terror, peer
ing cautiously in through the open
door.
He is beyond further trouble" l
said, soIemnly. The poor devil Help
me lit him back into his berth"
Dade held aloof, but De Nova took
hold with me, and together we
Strengthened out the body. covering it
decently with a sheet. Then we passed
out into the main cabin and closed the
door
What sort of weather have we out
side, Mr.. De Nova" | questioned, en-
deavoring to quell the beating Of my
heart
Clear an coP, monsieur, re win
nor'west."
Then we are holding our cuurse?"
'Oui, QUIZ gesticulating, but wat
We do now? wat we do now"
We'll, that depends entirely upon
you and the crew." | returned. shortly.
Mr., futile is dead beyond recall. |
am the only competent navigator left
on board For the sake of my own
life, as well as the safety of those
women in our care. propose assum-
ing command. Have you anything to
say"
The creole stood motionless, grasp
ing the edge of the table, his black
eyes still fastened on Tuttle's closed
door.
Well you had better decide" went
on, stoutly, and anyway the only
thing for US to do is to put this matter
straight before the crew. Keep quiet
about what has happened until after
breakfast-yOu, too, Dade-and then
have the whole crew piped aft. Go
on about your work until thea. and
keep your tongues still"
| sat down on the divan, watching
Dade as he hustled about from the
table to the pantry. ever casting fur.
tive Ul1npne rI 10 CT
room in which the dead man lay.
Finally got up. and, to Dade's horror.
re-entered the mates room, returning
with the chart upon which our course
had been prtcked up until noon of the
previous day, and spread it out across
my knees. l was still engaged in
studying 1t when Lady Darlington,
fully dressed. emerged from her cab
In. She touched me before | was even
aware of her presence
rs Mr.. futile still ill?" she ques-
toned, anxiously land have you been
on duty all night?"
THE first officer is dead" | an
swered. and made her sit down beside
me. Il will tell you all the facts"
She listened silently, her breath
! quickened from excitement, her face
colorless. l dwelt upon the mans
mental condition. his ghostly hallu-
clnations, my discovery of him in the
main cabin, and his final mad act of
selfdestruction. The very relating Of
the tragic story served to clear my
own mind and strengthen my resolve.
"What-what will this mean to us?"
she questioned her lips trembling,
/ viii 1t release us from our bondage d?
viii IT result in abandoning this crazy
search after treasurer"
Honestly | do not know, Lady Oar.
lington,' I acknowledged with reluc-
lance. "The present attitude of the
crew remains to be discovered. Prac-
tically we are as helpless as before.
My one advantage lies in the fact that
| am the only navigator on board. Yet
they have power to compel me to do
their will | cannot battle against