New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-02

Casco said, with surprised look at the little
steepleiack "She amt lit up yet
"Thcn the suns telegraphn Morse
on Muir There's someone on top too-Murden, o
Face Did course Signalin' to sea!7 Degnan checked
lin Out. himself with a quick glance at the life
CAPTAIN: but the lifeboat was close aboard
the wallowing lghtship now, and Casco
was not paving much attention. lie wanted to get
bad business over with and get back.
Degnan forced laugh the curious little laugh that
had puzzled Big lem before Say, Jem, he said cas-
ualy, don't let on to Alurdcn about Harvey Cedars
Aluriend think | was braggin-'c count o Annabel-
Miss Mallory" he finished lamey. "There's Murden
now, he added with almost exclamation Of relief as
the bio Captain nodded sukily. Don't he look glad
to see me;'
THE scowl on AIurdens dark visage, as he gared
L over the buwark down into the boat did not bear
orr Degnans statement Neither did his subsequent
contcmptuous bearing, when the llteboat had cast off,
leaving the two ghtkeepers looking askancc at each
other on deck The converted navy barge was heaved
short up, creaking and groaning -,
Come to overhaul the lamps, did ye: returned the
former schooner master to Degnan explanation OF his
orders to report on board the lghtship-ordcrs OBJ
viousv distasteful to the other They might have
sent me a real man if they thought needed help Bet
ter leave the lamps TO me, you'll be baIlng EN- up
ike YOU muckcd up everything you took hod OF long
shore You can sleep both watches, tor all care
Then. having welcomed his conirere, the black
proved keeper went aoft where he seated himself on
the swaying lamp top, looking out to sea Plainly ne
took small stock in his shipmate, whose reputation
he knew Degnan, still wearing his little twisted smile
sipped into the cramped cabin aft There was nothing
Of interest above save the bare deck broken by Dg
hatchwav amidships, and the lonely sea.
"Glad Casco didn't notice that slip about the sun
tclegraphng Morse. Just the same, d Ike 70 seen
more o. them sun ickcrin's, he SAID tossing his slender
,unnagc on bunk and transferring some heavy OBJECT
TO his hip pocket He chucked, thinking OF AlurdenS
permission to sleep both watches.
"Shcs having on and of-Nlurden fixed that when he
spotted us He won't light up for keeps I'll. the iog
comes in-hcll lust watch out for suspicious craft
got time
He slipped out Of his pcajacket; then with dizziness
foreign 10 his usually bungng fingers, he searched the
lazarctte and the untidy lockers OF the cabin FINALLY
he found and slid back panel in the forward bulHhead
onening INTO the hold After a cautious look from the
ladder to be sure Aurdcn was still aloft, he flashed the
light OF a pocket lamp and Owed into the hod sun
,olloquizing Softlv-a habit born OF his trade.
He was back shortly inspectors right; can get
ND both WAYS. case Of Hello Somebody coming IN
hurry Hes sighted something the schooner, 3ct:
The sound Of Alurcns heavy footballs on deck mace
him close the bulkhcad panel and glance hastily fnl
10 assure himself that everything was IN place. men
ne started up the companionway find It blocked by
Muricn's bulky form. Black Toms face wore an -y
scowl which told Of inward turbulence.
There's some Yacht fcers comm aboard-oa'
gasolcnc They signalcd for 1t when Int UP a.,t:
count % the Jog" Murien said. What you o"ln ~
down here SO long | reckon You been sno"pn I"
Iur yc."
The keeper might have planned his action, or 81 IN
way o. sudden rage, The bio" fell before Dcgnan .Aa