Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1914-11-05

tHOVeQ my cOlleTe letter. Nov l1rter,
who had supervised my preparations
and who accompanied me to the wharf,
had suggested that ! omit my morn-
Ing shave. The result was. as l look
back. a lean and radaverous six foot
youth. with the hospital pallor still ON
him. his chin covered with a days
beard. his hair cropped short and a can
n1balistic CLEAN in his eyes. l remember
that my wrists. thin and bony. annoy.
ed me and that the girl | had seen
through THE opera glasses came on
board and stood off, detached and in
different, but with her eyes on me.
while the captain read my letter.
When he finished he held it ont to
me.
I've got my crew" he said CURLY.
There isn't-I suppose there's no
chance of your needing another hand?"
NO. You can leave your name and adj
dress with the mate over there. If
anything turns up he'll let you know"
My address! The hospital?
| folded the useless letter and thrust
it into my pocket. The captain had
gone forward, and the girl with the
cool eyes was leaning against the rail
watching me.
you are the mar Mr.. McWhirter has
been looking after, aren't your
Yes" pulled off my cap, and. rec
ollecting myself-'yes, miss"
You have been i'll. haven't you?"
Yes, miss"
Gould you polish brass and things
like that?"
II could try. My arms are strong
enough. 1t is only when l walk
But she did not let me finish. She
left the rail abruptly and disappeared
down the companionway into the after
house. | waited uncertainty.
When the girl returned she came to
me and stood for a moment looking me
over with cool, appraising eyes. l had
been right about her appearance, she
was charming-or no, hardly charming.
She was too aloof for that But she
was beautiful. an Irish type, with blue
gray eyes and almost black hair. The
tilt Of her head was naughty. Later I
came to know that her hauteur was in
difference. But at first l was frankly
afraid Of h~er-afraid of her cool, mock
ing eyes and the upward thrust Of her
chin.
My brother-in-law is not here; she
said after a moment, but my sister is
below In the cabin. She will speak to
the captain about you. Where are your
things?"
glanced toward the hospital, where
my few worldly possessions. including
my dress clothes. my amputating set
and such of my books as | had not
been able to sell. were awaiting dispo-
sition. VERY near miss" I said.
Better bring them at once. We are
sailing in the morning"
She gave a curt little nod of dismiss
al, and I went down the gangplank
and along the wharf. had secured
what l went for. and my summer was
provided for. was exultant, but with
my exultat1on was mixed a curious an
ger at McWhirter, that he had advised
me not to shave that morning.
My preparation took little time. Such
Of my wardrobe as was worth saving
McWhirter took charge Of. / sold the
remainder Of my books. and in a sail
or's outftting shop purchased boots
and slickers-tbe sailors oilskins. With
my last money | bought a good re-
vOlver, second hand, and cartridges.
1 was glad later that l had bought the
revolver, and that I had taken with
me the surgical Instruments, antiquat-
ed as they were, which. in their ma
hogany case. had accompanied my
grandfather through the civil war, and
had done, as he was wont to chuckle.
as much damage as a three FOUNDER.
McWhirter came to the wharf with me
and looked the Ella over with eyes Of
proprietorship.
Pretty snappy looking boat" he
said. IF the niger gets sick give him
some Of my seasick remedy. And take
care Of yourself. boy" He shook
hands, his open face flushed with emo
ton. 'Darned shame to see you going
like this. Don't eat too much, and
don't FALL in love with any of the WON
en-. Goodby."
He started away. and l turned to-
ward the ship. hut Il moment later
heard him calling me-. He came back.
rather b%reathless.
up in my neighborhood,' he pant
ed. "they say Turner is a devil. What
ever happens, it's not your mix-in. Bet
ter-better tuck your gun under your
mattress and forget you've got it.
You've got some disposition YOURSELF"
The Ella sailed the following day at
10 O'Clock. She carried nineteen peo-
pie. of whom five were the Turner's and
their guests. The cabin was full of
flowers and steamer baskets.
Thirty-one days later she came into
port again. a lifeboat covered with can
vas trailing at her stern.
From the first the captain discla1m.
ed responsibility for me. 1 was housed
In the fOrecastle and ate with the men.
There. however. my connection with
the crew and the navigation OF the
1T