Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-10-31

unconscious. And we've got dysentery
on board. What's the matter with
your"
I'm burying four a day." Sheldon
answered, as he bent over from the
steamer chair and inserted a ther-
mOmeter under his partners tongue.
Captain Oleson swore blasphemously
and sent house boy to bring whiskey
and soda. Sheldon glanced at the ther
mometer.
"One hundred and seven" he said.
Poor Hughie."
Captain Oeson offered him some
whiskey.
Couldn't think of it-perforation.
you know" Sheldon said.
He sent for a boss boy and ordered
grave to be dug; also, some of the
packing cases to be knocked together
into coffin. Having given the orders.
Sheldon lay back in his chair with
closed eyes.
Its been fair hell. SIR" Captain
Oleson began. then broke off to help
bIL1SGll W AuOAS SOhIl al
winds and calms. We've been driftin
all about the shop for ten days
There's ten thousand sharks following
us for the tucker we've ben THROWN
over to them. They was snappin at
the oars when we started to come
ashore We got it from the water
water from Owga creek. Filled my
casks with it, How was we to know?
I've filed there before an 1t was all
right. We had sixty recruits-full up.
and my crew of fifteen. We've been
buryin' them day an night. The beg
gars won't live, dash them! They die
out of spite. Only three of my crew
left on its legs. Five more down.
Seven dead. Oh. HI What's the
good of talking"
How many recruits left?" Sheldon
asked
Lost half Thirty left. Twenty
down. and ten tottering around
Sheldon sighed.
THAT means another addition to the
hospital. We've got to get them ashore
somehow. viaburi! Hey. you. viaburi,
ring big fella bell strong fella too
much"
The hands. called in from the fields
at that unwOnted hour. were split
into detachments. Some were sent
into the woods to cut timber for house
beams. others to cutting cane grass
FOR fhafohtpe opd Fortv az thaD1 Hft
ed whale boat above their heads and
carried 1t down to the sea. Sheldon
had gritted his teeth. pulled his col
Iapsing soul together and taken Be
rande plantation into his fist once
more.
Have you seen the barometerY' Cap
tain OlesOn asked. pausing at the bot
tom OF the steps on his way to oversee
the Decentralization of the sick.
NO" Sheldon answered. els 1t
1ownT"
Its going down"
'"Then you'd better sleep aboard to-
hight was Sheldon's judgment !
Never mind the funeral I'll see to
poor Hughie. II you can see your way
o it, come ashore tomorrow and lend |
ne a hand IL you can't. send the
nate"
Right o. I'll come myself. Mr..
Iohnson's dead. sir. l forgot to tell
days ago"
Sheldon turned to his partner. calling
or boys to carry him into the house.
But Hughie Drummond had reached
he end. His breathing was impercep
ible. By mere touch Sheldon could
scertain that the dying mans tenn
erature was going down. Ii must have
'een going down when the Their
registered one hundred ana
even. he had burned out Sheldon
nett beside him. the house boys group
d around. their white singlets and
,in cloths peculiarly at variance With
heir dark skins and savage counte-
Iances. their huge ear plugs and carved
nd glistening nose rings. Sheldon
1ttered to bis feet at last and half
Ell into the steamer chair. Oppnes-
I've as the heat had been it was now
ven more oppressive. II was diff
1lt TO breathe. BE painted for air.
he faces and naked arms Of the house
oys were beaded with sweat
''Marster." one OF them ventured-
big fella wind be come. strong fella
% much
Sheldon nodded his head. but did not
ok. Much as be bad loved Hughie
'rummond. his death and the funeral
entafled seemed an intOlerabie bur
en- 70 add 20 what be was already
hiking under. He had a feeling
az. Il was a certitude-that all be
I'D to DO was to shut bis eyeo and
Z 60 and that be would die. sink
10 immensity Of rest his weary
Ddy seemed torn by the oncoming
lngs Of dissolution. He was a fool
hang on He had died a score Of
.aths already. and what was the use
prOionEinE @ 20 twoscore deaths
fore be really dieds Not only was
, not afraid to die. but be desired
die.