The Columbus journal., 1910-04-06

/ Ii happens I'm the only navigator on
board. and so I've called You aft, after
talking with Mr.. DE Nova about it, tC
get your ideas on what ought 10 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 1T me, the feet shutting in
| ureasiness.
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. slancing sideways into
the faces of his mates.
Well. We have talked about ii tit,
Mr. Stephens. but l dunno as we've
quite decided" his srun voice borne
TO us on the wind. How far are we
from the islands what Mr.. futile told
about?"
Nearly zoo miles to the northwest"
The big sailor cast his eyes over the
side at the sea view. slowly turning
the Guid in his cheek.
An the wind right. 'Tain't much Of
run. sir. after what we've already
had gettin' here. l recken you could
find that pint o sea-"
Yes" l acknowledged. almost re-
lactan,ly. Il can find it. unless the ice
shuts us in first. But what's the use
in 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 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 eegshcll"
The silent men stared sloomily out
1t that grim eXpanse Of sea. ice and
sky. but Anderson only scowled up
into my face. slappinS his mittened
hands together.
ITO hell wild that sort o. rot, Mr..
Stephens" be broke forth. Eercely.
We're saiiOr-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
oil man was a bit nut;y, but he knew
how 10 sail these seas. an he told a
dam straight yarn about that Span
ish ship. just the same. an I'm for
fndin' out whether or not il was a lie.
Ma!h he there amt no pesos awaitin'
for US out yonder. but. by God. sir. I
my mates. Now. you say we're within
200 miles of fndin' out the truth. an
I'm hanged if I'll consent to so back
like whipped cur without takin' even
4 squint along that latitude"
He stamped on the deck. glowering
about him like a mad bull. evidently
daring the others to contradict. l
leaned farther out over the rail.
rs 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 near the hoa-se Srumbling in
their threats and see their heads
shaking affirma;ively. l turned to-
ward the mate, who was standing just
behind me-
The men are all tongue-tied. How
is 1t with you, MIR. De Nova? Are you
for further south. or a quick run
homeo'
] noticed him glance across toward
Celeste. crouching beneath the shelter
OF the longbOat, her face showing
white against the darker background I
even imagined the girl lifted her hand
as If in some form of signal: anyhow.
the creole smiled confidently. his jet
clearly outlined against his
cheek.
Wat ! say. monsieur? Oh. oui.
was for get up Re steam in ze en-
CINE. and make dash. by gar. may
be care was Re monies 10 make us all
rich. Wy not? Wiz Ee steam We
cheat ze ice-field. Bah, seen it
worse as Eat"
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 we'll be nipped."
CTO BE CONTINUED.)