The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1910-05-12

from being blown away, Il am no sea
orator. and what l have to say will be
short No doubt you know pretty
well already What has happened on
board during the night All I need say
IS. that Mr.. futile is dead: be went
crazy and shot himself. Now, the
reason / called you ait 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 20 take charge.
II happens I'm the only navigator on
board. and so Two called you aft. after
talking with Mr.. De Nova about Il. 10
get your ideas on what ought to be
done. Some OF you speak up until We
can ind out what your notions are"
No n among them made any re-
Spouse. the long row OF eyes staring
duly up at me. the feet shuniing IN
uneasiness.
Come, Anderson. open up. You've
been sounding the lei for an hour
past What's your ulan?"
The bOatswain. thus directly sinsled
out from the others. pushed his way
TO the front, glancing sideways into
the faces OF hts mates.
Wei. we have talked about Il a hit.
Mr.. stephens, but / dunno as we've
quite decided. his eruH voice borne
TO as on the wind. How far are we
from the Islands what Mr.. Tutue told
about?"
Nearly 200 miles 10 the northwest
The big sailor cast his eyes over the
side az the sea view. slowly turning
the guild In HIS cheek.
An the wind right TalD't much OF
a run sir. after what we've already
had gettln' here. I reckon you could
find that pint o. sea-
Yes" I acknowledged. almost 70
luctantly. Il can End Il. unless the ice
shuts as In first but what's the use
In taking such a chance. Anderson
Tlttlo was probably just 40 crazy
about that matter as he WAS over
other things. To my mind he never
saw ~ islands where be said he did.
Government ships have surveyed all
these waters again aud again. and the
charts show no land anywhere along
that latitude. I'm for calling Il a
poor JOB. and turning back before We
get nipped Look where We are now;
we hayeat a mile OF clear water eth
eT side OF us. and a shift OF wind will
crush our sides like an e~ggsholl."
The silent men stared gioomily out
az that grim cNpanse OF sea. ice aud
sky. but Anderson only scowled up
into my face, Shaping his mittencd
hands together.
To he'll wid that sort o. rot. Mr.
stephens" be broke forth. norccly.
We're s~ailor-men. an the most OF US
have seen ice before. This channels
vide enough for the hooker. an what
the deyil do we want more? Maybe the
OF man was a bit nutty. but ne knew
how to sail these seas. an he told a
dam straight yarn about that span.
ish ship just the same. an I'm for
nndin' out whether or not q was a lie.
Maybe there Amt no pesos awaitin'
for ms out yonder. but. by God. sir. I
want 10 know Il for SURF. An so do
my mates. Now you say we're within
200 miles Of nndin' out the truth. an
I'm hanged n IN consent 10 10 back
like a whipped cur without takln even
a squtnt along that latitude"
He stamped on the dock. glowcring
about him like a mad bull evidently
daring the others 60 contradict
leaned farther out over the rail.
Is that right. ladH2 Has Anderson
spoken your scntimcnta7 DO you read.
ly mean 10 proceed Ia this crazy
search IN spite OF all that ice out
yondcrG'
No voice responded. although /
could hear the hoarHc %grumbling IN
their Threats and soc their heads
shaking ahlrmatlvoly. I turned to.
ward the mate. who vas standing Just
behind me.
THE men are an tonguo-ticd. How
Is Il with you, Mr. DO Noyay Are you
for further south. or a quick run
homer"
/ noticed him glance across toward
Celeste. c%rouchiug beneath the shelter
Of tho longboat. her face showing
white against tie darker background. !
even imagined tho girl lifted her hand
as II IN some form OF signal; anyhow.
the creole smiled confidently. his Jet
m%ustaches clearly outlined against his
cheek.
Wat | say. monslourl oh, oni.
] was for get up ~ steam In 10 en-
giue. and make a dash. by gar, may.
be zare was 20 monies to make us all
rich. Wy not2 VIE 70 steam we
cheat ~ ice.held BAH seen It
worse as Eat."
True / urged In final effort. but
the a Is wrong We are driving
south In the face OF winter. the leo
packs are forming. and not breaking
up. 1 warn every one OF you the
chances are Wen be nippod."
GRO BB CONTINUEDD
Hob-W0uid you like TO see women
W.Fnrn 40 a.. ...nHuu