The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-11-10

where II goes. only It's dark as hell
1T comes out under the forecastle
sir" broke in a coal HEAVIER named
Davis. 'Leastwise there's a trap IN
the deck there. with a ladder leadin'
down."
'I'll finish the trip through, then,
for like to know what is under my
feet when l command a vessel Where
is the engineer Anderson?"
He waved his big hairy hand in the
direction of the boilers.
went to his bunk 10 lie down for
an hour; he was about all in"
"Are you capable of standing watch
alone in an engine room?"
The fellow grinned, his bulldog Jaw
prottuding.
well. I've had to do it on this trip
whether I'm capable or not. That
fellow can't stand It In here night an
day without no rest. / know how to
start an stop her, an watch the wa
ter gauge II anything else goes
wrong he's easy enough called"
So It was Mcknight who was play
ing the antics of a ghost on board;
Mcknight who had discovered that
unusual passageway through the bulk
heads; Mcknight who had conceived
the idea that in this manner he could
frighten us into turning back. Well
truly, l did not altogether blame the
man, and, now that my own fear of
the supernatural was allayed, did not
feel any desire to punish him severely.
Still, his masquerade must stop be-
fore he thoroughly demorallzed the
crew, frightening them beyond all
my power of control.
l discovered the door concealed be.
hind the donkey engine, left It slightly
ajar behind me, and stepped forward
into the black passage. I had CROPPED
along to the very foot of the ladder,
feeling nothing but bare walls, and
hearing no sound except the slush OF
bilge water, when suddenly an inar.
ticulate cry sounded almost directly
above; something, a hatch cover pos
sibly, seemed to settle into place, and
the ladder shook under my hand
drew back a step, permitting the fel
low to come down until he reached
the floor. My eyes, accustomed to the
gloom, enabled me to dimly perceive
his shape. It was no more than
formless smudge he made, but ]
struck straight for what seemed to be
the head, and landed with a force that
dropped him like a log. In an instant
was on top, clasping the canvas
sheet he wore tightly about his arms.
and throttling him against the deck
He fought like a wild bull for a mo.
ment, thoroughly frightened and
whimpering, dazed by the suddenness
of attack, yet following the animal
instinct Of struggle for life.
Damn you, Mcknight, lie still"
painted. I've got you, and you might
just as well take your medicine, my
man. Yes. that's a gun you feel, and
know how to use It. So you're the |
ghost of the Sea Queen, are you?
guess you know what this means If |
turn you over to those fellows, don't
you?"
He groaned, and 1 ventured to re-
lease my grip on his throat, finging
back the canvas from his head.
"Sit up. Well, I'll tell you, Mcknight
you would probably go overheard to
eed the fishes. Do you recognize
ne?"
YES sir" managing to find his
'oice for the first time, You're Mr.
Stephens"
Right you are, and you can bless
our lucky stars that | am the one
Who caught you. What started you at
his trick?"
1T was the Chilean, sir. Sanchez;
.e said we could scare the whole out.
it,"
Did he do any of the ghost play.
ng?"
mo, sir; he didn't have the nerve,
he rigged me up, and found
ut about these passageways."
What was l to do with the man? In
ruth there was little l dared to do
nder the circumstances.
Now see here, Mcknight" l said
oberly, you quit this thing for good
nd all; if there is any more ghost
Ialking done on the Sea Queen ri
urn you and Sanchez over to the
len. Besides, there's no use resort
lg again to that sort Of trick, for
ere about at the end of our cruise"
You mean we're going to turn
orth?"
Eyes. Now If let you go will you
ehave yourself%'
CTo BE CoNTINUED)