The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-05-04
looked uron so gigantic and majestic

looked uron so gigantic and majestic
mountain Of ice. 1t was one i'm
mense cliR towering into the upper
air. being fully 800 feet high. and moi
less than 1000 feet In length. with
vast glittering pinnacles rising still
farther into the sky. its entire front
sheer precipice. cleaning in cold
blue. with hardly q darker shadow
anywhere to yield relief to the eye.
We rounded its eastern edge SO close
ly one could have tossed biscuit from
the foreyard against its smooth front,
the swell Of its motion tossing the dar-
ing yacht like an eggshell. Symes
chung to his perch aloft with the grip
Of monkey. swinging back and forth
to the wild swaying Of the spar. Sud-
denly he yelled down:
There's wind comm from the
sou'west. SIR"
"Heavy?'
Looks to be . stiff breeze. an
it's bringing more snow"
Lay down from aloft."
! sprang over to consult the bin
nacle-card. and then cast one swift.
comprehending glance at the thicken-
ing gloom In the southwest. Beyond
doubt the change had come.
Give her two more points north.
wheelsman: keep her head nor'east
by nor'-steady 50. Mr.. De Nova.
send another man up here to the
wheel. All hands now: stow every
thing: tail on to those gaskets lively.
my lads: we're in for . blow. and q
run for our lives"
To my amazement scarcely a man
among them stirred. the eyes Of the
majority turning toward Anderson.
Evidently there was an understanding
between them: they intended to revolt
and had chosen him their leader. He
stood just In front Of the forecastle.
a Jumping big figure in his heavy
his coarse face and ugly Jaw
showing beneath q fur cap.
What yer turnin' north for In such
a hurry. Mr.. Stephens?" he growled,
hoarsely. IT'S not by vote o. the
crew. an we're the ones that's got
hey say Of 1t on this voyage. We're for
keepin' along this line o. latitude
Tor a day or 50 anyhow. futile might
a got his figgers tangled an missed q
'ew leagues. Anyhow. We want the
ady to give us her reckoning first"
l felt the hot blood leap to my face.
md my teeth clenched as I leaned |
'ver the rail gazing down ut him.
Lads" I said. striving to master
myself. I've rut you exactly where
promised I would; I've shown you all
hat was here. You can see for your
elves what will happen II We hold on
ny longer. The wind has swept
round: it Is going to bring that whole
ack Of Ice down on us. We've got to
un for 1t, or be crushed. Now what
want to know Is. are you with me,
r with Bill Anderson"
They held of muttering. vt casting
neasy glances over the rail. Ander.
on stamped angrily on the deck.
"Oh. to he'll with yer fine words"
e said. grimly. what il the wind
as changed a bit? Can't We beat
q the foe under steam the same as
e did before? We're sailor-men, and
OF afraid Of rough sea. For one, I'm
ahmed II I leave that gold to rot
ere without huntin' for It,"
Words were clearly useless, and I
pped back my heavy coat, dragging
Z my gloves. an patience exhausted.
Come on. De Nova" I exclaimed.
you've got sense enough to realize
hat this means"
I was over the rail with leap, front
g them on the deck Almost to my
lrprfse the creole landed beside me,
I'd without q word We struck out at
e heads In our front. 1t was q fierce
ix-up for q minute. yet only a man or ,
70 stood with Anderson, the sud-
'nness Of our assault taking all the |
hit out OF most of them. struck
g Bill twice squarely in the face, {
living him back against the stems
aiding to the forecastle deck: over /
csc he fell sprawling. his head
the plank. The next instant
had De Nova's antagonists in the
ar. and together We laid them out
ainst the rail. and none too gently. G
le mates smile had become ugly, {
d he would have leaped into the rest q
the bunch. but I caught his arm.
fr0 nES rS0N.rrN.rVrsnN | r