The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-07-01

to the wild swaying of the spar. Sud
denly he yelled down;
There's wind comm from the
souwest, sir"
Heavy
Looks to be a stif breeze. an
its bringing more SNOW"
Lay down from aIOft"
sprang over to consult the bin
nscle-card, and then cast one swift,
comprehending glance at the thicken-
ing gloom in the southwest. Beyond
doubt the change had come.
Give her two more points north.
wheelsman; keep her head nOr'east
by nor'-steady so. Mr. De Nova,
send another man up here to the
wheel. All hands now: stow every
thing: tail on to those gaskets lively,
my lads; we're in for blow, and
run for our lives"
To my amazement scarcely a man
among them stirred. the eyes of the
majority turning toward Anderson.
Evidently there was an understanding
between them; they intended to revolt
N'Ai'A A"N Shpo'u utau luf1ll Arduti- ne
stood just in front Of the forecastIe.
a Jumping big figure in his heavy
! clothes, his coarse face and ugly Jaw
showing beneath a fur cap.
What yer turnin' north for in such
a hurry. Mr. Stephens" he growled.
hoarsely. IT'S not By vote o the
| crew, an we're the ones that's got
they say of it Outhis voyage. We're for
keepin along this line o latitude
for day or so anyhow futile might
a got his figgers tangled an missed
few leagues. Anyhow, We want the
lady to give us her reckoning first"
felt the hot blood leap to my face.
and my teeth clenched as / leaned
over The rail gazing down at him.
Lads" l said. striving to master
myself I've put you exactly where
| promised would I've shown you all
hat was here. You can see for your
| selves what will happen if We hold on
any longer The wind has swept
around: it is going to bring that whole
pack of ice down on us. We've got to
run for it, or be crushed Now what
! want 10 know is. are you with me.
| or with Bin Anderson"
They held off muttering. yet casting
uneasy giances over the rail. Andar-
son stamped angrily on the deck.
oh, to he'll with yer fine words"
he said, grimly What if the wind
has changed a bit? Cant we beat
| off rho 400 ,trda,. ,ta,,,. ,r,a COM. -
we did before? We're sailor-men. and
| not afraid of a rough sea For one. I'm
damned if | leave that gold to rot
here without huntin' for #"
Words were clearly useless. and 7
ripped back my heavy coat. dragging
off my gloves, all patience exhausted.
Come on, De Nova" l exclaimed.
you've got sense enough to realize
| what this means"
| was over the rail with a leap front
| ing them on the deck Almost TO my
surprise the creole landed beside ME.
and without a word We struck out at
the heads in our front II was fierce
| mix-up for minute. yet only a man or
| two stood with Anderson, the sud
| denness of our assault taking all the
| fight out of most OF them | struck
| Big Bill twice squareIy in the face
driving him back against the steps
| leading to the fOreCastle deck: over
these he fell sprawling. his head
humping the plank. The next instant
| had De Noya's antagonists in the
| rear, and together We laid them out
against the rail, and none too gently.
The mates smile had become ugly.
and he would have leaped into the rest
OF the bunch. but caught his arm.
They've had enough" said, breath
ing hard. Go back on the bridge. De
Nova Now, you lads, get busy. If
one Of you soldiers. or talks back to
me again, he'll go to his bunk for the
rest OF this voyage Get up, Anderson.
and stop that growing! You fellows
NAV as well learn first as last that |
am commanding the Sea Queen. auu
| that We are homeward bound"
Within the space of five minutes
had the whole gang at 1t, a profane
shutting crew enough, yet carrying
out my orders after a fashion. and
sufficiently cowed TO be obedient. At
last dispatched the starboard watch
! below. and leaving De Nova in charge
OF the bridge, started back to the com.
panion. To my surprise Lady Darling
ton, muff1ed to the eyes, still stood,
half protected, in the open door Of the
chart house
What in the world are you doing
here in all this snow and bow?" l
| questioned
Waiting for you" she explained.
her eyes glowing. Il could not go TO
the cabin until | knew you had really
won. Is it true that We are home
ward bound?"
Yes" I answered. not altogether
happy over her evident pleasure The
Sea Queen has attained her farthest
southng Are you glad?"
Glad" Her gloved hands sought
mine. In all my life was never hap.
pier"
These impusive words, natural as
they were, nevertheless hurt me. and
perhaps my face exhibited 1t. Her
eyes fell.
You cannot know how much have
suffered on this voyage" she said re.
gretfully. only woman could. My