Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-08-17

SAA0 ACCESSIBILITY, apparently aware LQdL
something was in the wind. noticed
big Bill Anderson circulating among
the various groups, talking earnestly,
and felt convinced the crew was en-.
deavoring to settle upon some united
course OF action. Brutal and un-
learned as he was, the boatswain was
thorough sea-lawyer, understanding
well 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" I
lsaid. after 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 at hand,
but somewhat sheltered under the lee
iof the longboat from the singing
wind. The herd came shutting 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.
"All here, monsieur" Then lowered
This voice. "Mapes was dead in "a
lfo'c'stle."
"Mapes! Oh, he was the man Who
fell from the foreyard?"
"Oui, an it all makes re crew feel
scare
glanced at the group. and around
At the stern vision Of sea. Altogether
1t formed dismal, disheartening pic.
ture-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,
shutting impatiently, and occasionally
moving over to the rail to spit: the
yacht, long battered by the seas
stripped Of every unnecessary adorn.
ment, her matches battened down. her
tunnel rusty. her sails close reefed
her forward deck sheet of glistening
Ice. the sharp wind whstling through
the frozen rigging al she staggered
through cold, gray, wintry sea,
.stratning and groaning in every timber
as the cleaning surges struck her
qusrter and the relentless wheel held
aher to the course. The whole view
photographed itself indelibly upon my
mind. and chung to the rail, gazing
about and down into those upturued
faces below.
Men," said. finally, shadowing my
lips with one hand to keep the words
from being blown away, II am no sea
orator. and what have to say will be
short No doubt you know pretty
well already what has happened on
board during the night. All Ineed say
Is, that Mr.. Tuttle is dead; he went
crazy and shot himself. Now, the
reason called, you aft is this. You
are no regular articled crew, on an
tordinary voyage between ports. None
OF you have signed papers, and you
nave no lawful officers to take charge,
It happens I'm the only navigator on
board, and 80 I've called you aft, after
talking with Mr.. De Nova about 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-
sponse, the long row of eyes staring
duly mp at me. tho feet shutting in
uneasiness.
Come. Anderson, open up. You've
been sounding the men for an hour
past. What's your plan?"
:. The boatswain, thus directly singled
out from the others, pushed his way
to the front, giancing sideways into
the faces Of his mates.
We'll, we have talked about It bit.
Mr.. Stephens, but dunno as we've
quite decided" his gruff voice borne
to u on the wind. How far are we
from the islands what Mr.. futile told
abouts"
Nearly 200 miles to the northwest"
The big sailor cast his eyes over the
side ct the sea view. slowly turning
the Quid in his cheek.
! IAN the wind right. 'Taintsmuch Of
. run, Sir, after what we've already
had gettin' here. recken you could
ind that pint o sea?"
Yes" acknowledged, almost 70.
luctantly. Il can find It, unless the ice
lshuts ~ In frst. But what's the use
An taking such a chance, Anderson?
futile was probably Just as crazy
about that matter as he was over
! other things. To my mind he never
saw any islands where he said he did.
Government ships have surveyed ali
these waters again and again, and the
charts show no land anywhere along
that latitude. I'm for calling It a
poor Job. and turning back before We
get nipped. Look where we are now;
We haven't . mile Of clear water eth.
Or side OF us, and shift Of wind will
crush orr sides like an eggshell."
The silent men stared gloomily out
1t that grim expanse OF sea, ice and
lsky, but Anderson only scowled up
into my face. slapping his mittened
hands together.
ITO hell wild that sort o. rot, Mr..
Stephens" be broke forth, hercely,
"We're sailor.men. an the most of us
have seen ice before. This channels
vide enough for the hooker, an what
the 4eS!l do we want morsf Maybe the
FOR maj was q bit nutty. but he knew
how to sail these seas, an he told .
idamf etfsishA yarn about that Span.
tiah Ship. just the same. an I'm Tor
sAdins out whether or not It was lie.
il&Sylio fksfe aia,t no pesos GWiaitln'
kxas.aas ~. La A1t. hs .HaA. si.- i