The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-01-26

said. joviaIly. 1T was wat you call
re picnic. bet. Re companion was
! lock-. an re guard posted. Wat more
now for me-"
Relieve Mr.. futile in the engine
room. Keep three men below there
| with you, and arm them as guards
Make the Kanakas do the firing. and
hold the engineer to it with a gun al
his head. You know enough about a
5toke-hole to tell whether things are
going right. don't you?"
He nodded, and I could see the
CLEAN of his white teeth.
Then get your steam up. but don't
any flame out of the stack. and watch
that Johnny Bull so that he can't pu,
any kinks in the machinery. Don't
take your eyes off him. Do you under
stand the signals"
'Ay, ay. monsieur"
Then stand by. Well tow out a,
once with the boats. but l want you
ready for business the very momen,
We cast off the lines. Send all the
rest of the men on deck and ask Mr.
futile to report to me here imme
diately."
was not kept waiting. Two men
came stumbling up the companionway
together. peered at them. uncertain
of their identity in the gloom.
is that you. Mr.. Tut;le?"
Yes. sir. This is Johnson. one OF
the wheelsmen: thought you would
likely need him, so l brought him
along"
Very good. Johnson. go on up
into the wheelhouse and see that all is
clear. I'll give you directions later
Mr.. futile, we'll tow out until We get
the sweep of the sea fairly under our
fore foot. Get the lines out to the
boats at once. with full crew at the
oars. You are TO take command, and
I shall have to trust you for the
course. as We can't risk signaling.
presume you are acquainted with the
narbor lights?"
Been in here eight times In ten
years without a pilot"
Then you ought to know the
course. but take no chances: feel your
way. only keep the ropes taut Have
you any man fit to take charge of the
second boat? I need De Nova below
THE boatswain, sir; that big fellow
with the scar"
What's his name?"
bill Anderson"
"All right: put him in the cutter.
Leave me three men on deck. and post
the best one of the lot at the stern
line ready TO cast OF. AS soon as you
get the ropes out III slip the anchor
chain. and leave the flukes in the mud
Work lively now: We must be we'll out
at sea before daylight"
He stood leaning against the rail.
peering out over the water. his hands
shading his eyes.
Have you spotted any guardboats
with your glasses?" he questioned, un-
easily.
Only that one yonder; see, the yell
low light just rounding the stem of that
big brig. There was a steam-launch
out there 10 the west abou. 90 minutes
ago. but it seems to have disap-
peared."
Swallowed up In the fog likely" he
admitted. snuffing the air like a
pointer dog. Well find it banked
pretty heavy outside. or I'm a lubber.
Well. so much the better for our job.
All right, Mr. Stephens. I'm OF. and
we'll have you in tow in a jiffy. I'll
put the niger at the stern line; he's
the best all-round hand CO beard"
However l may have disliked and
distrusted the whaleman he certainly
proved himself an able seaman and a
smart officer. He comprehended every
detail Of his work. and held his men to
il finely. Within 20 minutes We were
in motion, moving slowly. yet steadily.
toward the black vacancy outlined BY
the harbor lights on either hand.
There was no disturbing sound to b.