The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1910-07-01
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1
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 l 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.
1t 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
DULY up at me, the 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. glancing sideways into
| tHe ihCeS OF MS mates.
well, We have talked about II a hit,
Mr.. Stephens, but / dunno as we've
quite decided" his gruff voice borne
to us on the wind. How far are we
from the islands what Mr.. futile told
about?"
NEARLY 200 miles to the northwest"
The big sailor cast his eyes over the
side at the sea view, slowly turning
the quid In his cheek.
An the wind right. 'Taint much of
n run. sir. after what we've already
had gettin' here. | recken you could
find that pint o sea-"
Yes" l acknowledged, almost re-
luctantly, Il can find II. unless the ice
shuts us in first. But what's the use
in taking such chance, Anderson
futile was probably Just as crazy
about that matter ms he was over
other things. To my mind he never
saw any islands where he said he did.
Government ships have surveyed all
these waters again and again, and the
charts show no land anywhere along
that latitude. I'm for calling II a
poor job. and turning back before we
get nipped. Look where we are now;
we haven't mile Of clear water eth.
er side Of us. and shift OF wind will
crush our sides like an eegshell."
The silent men stared gloomily out
At that grim expanse of sea. ice and
Sky, 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, fiercely.
Were sailormen. an the most of US
have seen ice before. This channels
wide enough for the hooker. an what
the devil do we want more? Maybe tho
oil man was n bit nutty, but he knew
how to sail these seas. an he told q
dam straight yarn about that Span.
ish ship. Just the came. an I'm for
nndin' out whether or not II was lie.
Maybe there amt no pesos awaitln'
for us out yonder, but, by God. sir. |
want 10 know II for sure. An so do
my mates. Now. you say we're within
200 miles OF iindin' out the truth. an
I'm hanged II I'll consent to 20 back
like whipped cur without takin' even
a squlnt along that latitude"
] He stamped on the deck. glowering
about him like a mad bull. evidently
daring the others TO contradict. I
leaned farther out over the rail.
rs that right. lnds7 Has Anderson
spoken your scntimonts7 DO you real.
ly mean 10 proceed In this crazy
search In spite OF all that ice out
yonder7"
No voice responded. although
could hear the hoarsc grumbling In
their throats and see their heads
shaking aiIirmaiiyoly. turned TO.
ward tho mate. who was standing Just
behind me.
"Tho mon are nil tonguc.ticd. How
IL II with you. Mr.. DE Noyag Are you
for further south. or quick run
homer
noticed him glance across toward
Celeste. crouohing beneath the shelter
OF the longboat. her face showing
white against the darker background. |
even Imagined the girl lifted her hand
ns " In some form OF signal. anyhow,
tho creole smiled confidently, his Jet
inustaehes clearly outlined against his
cheek
wat shy. monsieur oh. oui.
! was for get up 40 steam In 10 en-.
cline. and make n dash. By gnr. may.
be care was n. monies TO make uB all
rich. Wy notg via "a steam va
Shcai 70 icc'ncld. Bait I seen II
worse m rat"
"rruc," urged In final effort. but
the season In wrong. We are driving
south in tho face OF winter. the Ice.
packs are forming. and not breaking
up. ! warn every one Of you the
chances are wen bo nippod"
GRO DE coNTtSuEpJ