The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-02-22

Ae AoA Aoity udyS dCTOSS TWO seas.
How about the doctor?" Hartley
asked. as slipped my arms into my
coat sleeves and snatched a cap from
closet peg.
'It's too late now" was my an.
swer. You should have reminded me.
forgot all about him." And it was
true. l had forgotten everything, ex-
cept the imminence Of the rescue and
the urgency OF haste. To one in Cam
eron's plight every fretting minute
must count a drop of torture.
The heavens were splendid with
tropic stars, and a faint breeze from
the sea gently rufhed the spangled
black harbor waters, as Hartley's
launch, guided by pilot of expert
ence, headed for the twinkling lights
or the recently anchored freighter.
Silently sat, with gaze straining,
watching the indicated sparks grow
larger and brighter, moment by mo-
ment. until at length their CLEANS re-
fiected in the waves, and their back.
ground emerged in a great dark
shadow, which silhouetted itself
against the less Opaque sky.
There she Isl" Hartley cried in en-
thusiasm, as her funnel and masts
somberly defined themselves above
the black Of her hull. We'll be able
to hail her In another minute"
Then / heard the voice Of our
helmsman ring out. and presently
there was an answering shout from
above, and an exchange Of greetings,
succeeded by directions; and the next
moment, / was following Hartley up
a swaying rope-ladder to where an
outheld lantern glowed overhead.
"Yes, Secretary to the Governor
General" l heard my friend saying, az
/ put foor on the iron deck. you're
Captain Murchison. l suppose"
The captains affirmative was more
than deferential; 1t was obsequious.
He was not tall man, but broad, rug
ged and bearded, with long, powerful,
gorilla-like arms out OF all proportion
TO his stature. / could readily fancy
him an ugly antagonist. Unaided by
Hartley, concluded, | should have
had small chance indeed Of succesa.
But the low-born Briton's respect for
Official authority was evidently strong
In him. and l felt that II Cameron was
aboard We should be able to effect his
rescue with a minimum Of effort.
II should like to see you in your
cabin, Captain" Hartley proposed. and
when we were closeted there. he con-
tinued: There Is a report that you
have among your crew. a United States
subject who was brought aboard.
drugged. and forced to remain aboard
against his will. His government has
Interested itself in his behalf, and un-
less he Is restored at once to his
friends serious con. plications will un.
doubtedly ensue."
The captain. despite his respect for
authority. frowned.
There's nothing to that report, SIR"
he said. boldly. I'm not shanghaiing
men In these days, sir. Every moth
ers son I've got on this boat shipped
for Hong Kong, sir, Of his own free
Will and accord"
L dare say you fully believe that,
Captain Murchison." was Hartley's
diplomatic rejoinder, but this time
you happen to be mistaken. I don't
suppose you have any objection to our
inspecting your crew, have you? Sup
pose you have both the watches pipsd
forward, and we'll settle this little
business for ourselves. Mr.. Clyde, here,
knows the man."
Captain Murchison's glance at me
was undisguisedly venomous. Reluct.
antly he rang for his steward.
Send the bo'sun here" he directed.
dcgeedly.
We'll begin at the bottom, Cap
tain," Hartley suggested, when the
boatswain, cap in hand, stood in the
doorway. First. want to see every
man Jack you have working in the
stoke hold"
Although the master gave the nee
essary directions / mistrusted him. Be
tween the boatswain and himself felt
that there was an understln nding
which required neither voicing nor
signal. And as. a little ater, we stood
on the forward deck. under tie bridge,
and by the light Of lantern viewed
one after another OF those swarthy,
grimy laborers who had crowded up
from below, I was convinced Of the
correctness Of my intuition. For Cam
eron was not among them.
And then a chill fear gripped me.
Could man Of his habits and train
Ing, suddenly called upon to assume
such labor, survive It's rlgors? He was
naturally robust, but he had been
weekend by an illness. Might he not
therefore have succumbed to the strain
died. and been buried at sea?
But one consideration sustained me.