The evening world., 1914-05-07

the world as she Is, and
not spend n dime for re-
pair" no said. Hes getting pretty
old. though. ] reckon they're all
right, captain. They're running. even
II they do rattle some"
Then ] guess that's all We can ask,
considering the size Of her and the
price," said Captain Velvet. Have
your Swede fix that step. Mr.. Me-
Writ" He laid kindly hand on the
Others shoulder. This ship and this
fog remind mo OF the spring OF 1862"
no said. There was q Teller named
Morrison"
IT think YOU told me about that last
week. captain.I beg your pardon"
Mr.. McWirt said suddenly. Before
I forget It. sir. I want to ask you
about tho three hands YOU brought
aboard yourself last niyht?'
He permitted himself a knowing
grin, and the grin died n natural
death after just one second. Captain
veivet's smiling eyes. just hazing
over with the rlm VI the glorious
past, had turned suddenly to chilled
and chilly steel points. He swept the
deck with thcm and then turned them
full, upon his first officer.
They're not-just hands. Mr.. Nc
Writ" hs stated
The other coughed apolog"tically.
We'll, when you--er--unloaded EN-
from the taxicab Ike that. you know
and then, We being pretty short
handed, too. Of course" he said
vaguely.
II know: but I didn't bring 'em to
add to tho crew. not strictly speaking.
Mr.. Mcwirt." the captain said a trifo
moro mildly. They're Just three
young men that owe a sort OF debt
to. Where are they?"
Below. sir. l think. haven't seen
en-"
"Well. I haven't decided Just what
to do with ON yet" said Capt. Vel
vet. III I'd had a few moro days
ashore could have hxed UP this
this debt. 10 that I'd have looked
back, later In life. with some salts
faction. But I wanted 70 sail to-
day"
"And a. to the debt," the other
ventured.
there's some interest on It." the
captain said. mt. McWirt. y'know
sometimes at sea a man gets testy
and impatient like. He feels like
kicking somebody Just to relieve his
SeslinGs."
He docs. indeed. sir"
well. n you feel like kicking any
body aboard this vessel. Mr.. McWirt
kick them!"
II certainly will. hr!" the other
agreed heartily.
"Kick 'em. any way. no matter
how you feel" said Capt. Velvet. and
stared into tho impenetrable fog
ahead and fell silent.
With q course OF procedure well
outlined in his mind and the ground
plan Of q speech that would cause the
ocean to calm down and listen.
Robert Pollard jerked open their
stateroom door and stepped into the
somewhat maiodorous gloom of a lit
tie saloon.
Three or four elderly upholstered
chairs defined themselves, ragged and
anchored to the floor; across the
saloon and on their own side state
room doors appeared, some closed,
some lockless. banging monotonously
with the roll OF the vessel,
A very short time indeed Mr.. Pol
lard spent In getting the lay OF the
place. There was a short stairway
ahead there, and a door at the top OF
II. and through the door puffed little
clouds Of wet fog. Rolling and pitch
ing himself. Mr.. Pollard moved to-
ward II and up it. and the Snake and
the Spanish Brute followed him,
growing savagely and peering about
even more savagely. as befitted really
eminent and desperate criminals on
their way to eliminate one more sea
captain.
Beyond the door lay. at first glance
miles Of deck and oceans Of fog. The
leader OF the bad men staggered
across some yards OF the former and
wound up heavily against a shaky
rail, Just beyond which lay all the
water OF the world. reaching for him.