The Montgomery tribune., 1910-04-08

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
we'll already what has happened on
board during the night. All | need 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
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-
sponse, 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 faces of his mates.
We'll, we have talked about it hit,
Mr.. Stephens, but l dunno as we've
| quite decided" his gruff voice borne
to us on the wind. How fay are we
| from the islands what Mr. Tuttle 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
run, sir, after what we've already
| had gettin' here. l recllen you could
| find that pint O. sea?"
Yes" l acknowledged, almost re-
| luctantly, 81 can find it, unless the ice
| shuts us in first. But what's the use
| in taking such a chance, Anderson?
Tuttle 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 shirs have surveyed all
| 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
er side of us, and shift of wind will
crush our sides like an eggshell."
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 sailor-men, 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 the
Oh man was bit nutty, but he knew
| how to sail these seas, an he told
dam straight yarn about that Span
ish ship, just the same. an I'm for
| findin' out whether or not it was lie
Maybe there amt no pesos awaitin
for us out yonder, but, by God, sir,
| want to know it for sure. An so do
my mates. Now, you say we're within
| 200 miles of findin' out the truth, an
I'm hanged If I'll consent to go back
like whipped cur without takin' even
| squint along that latitude"
! He stamped ON the deck. glowering
about him like mad bull, evidently
daring the others to contradict. l
leaned farther out over the rail,
'Is that right, lads? Has Anderson
| spoken your sentiments? Do you real
| ly mean to proceed in this crazy
search in spite of all that ice out
| yonder?"
| No voice responded, although
could hear the hoarse grumbling in
their throats and see their heads
shaking affirmatively. / turned to-
ward the mate, who was standing just
behind me.
"The men are all tongue-tied. How
Is 1t with you. Mr.. De Nova? Are you
for further south, or a quick run
home:"
noticed him glance across toward
Celeste. crouching beneath the shelter
of the longboat, her face showing
white against the darker background.
even imagined the girl lifted her hand
as II In some form of signal; anyhow,
the creole smiled confidently. his jet
mustaches clearly outlined against his
cheek
"W'at I say. monsieur? Oh. oui.
was dor get up re steam in 20 en-
gine, and make dash. BY gar, may
be zare was re monies to make uS all
J rich. Wy not? Wiz ze steam we
cheat ze ice.ield. Bah! seen 1t
worse as zat."
True / urged in final effort. "but
| the season is wrong. We are driving
south in the face of winter. the ice
packs are forming, and not breaking
up. warn every one OF you the
chances are well be nipped."
ITO BE CoNTlNuED.)
l. - n =.