The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-10-23


security by the incarceration of
the two men. We unconsciouSly relaxed
our vigilance But by the tirst night
the crew were somewhat calmer. Here
and there u pipe was lighted and IL
plug of tobacco Went the rounds
fnd. uu consulting the book in
which recorded. beginning with that
day. the incidents of the return vOy-
age. that TWO things happened that
evening One was my interview with
and depressing c.aSh with Elsa Lee
ON the dtck that night.
Turner being quiet aud Burns on
watch i'll the beginning of the second
dog watch. ii o'clock. ! went forward
to the room where Singleton WIS i'm
priSoned Burns gave me the key. and
advised uIe to take weapon. did
not, however, nor was ii needed
For Gods sake. Leslie" he said. "tel,
them to open the window. I'm chok
ing
He was right: the room was ST dug
opened the door behind me. and stood
in the doorway against Il rush for free
dom But he did uut move He sank
back into his detected attitude.
Singleton said. II wish you
would tell the about last night. IL you
did il. we've got you. II you didn't.
you'd better let ule take yuur own
account pf ,rhar bunDan,d ,-h;Io i.'.-
fresh in your mind Or. better still,
write it Yourself"
He held out his right hand | saw
that it WAS shaking violently.
Couldn't hold a pen" lie said tersely.
"Wouldn't he believed. anyhow"
The air being somewhat better, |
closed and locked the door again. and.
coming in. took out my notebook and
pencil
Briefly. Singleton's watch began at
midnight. The captain. who had been
complaining Of lumbago. had had the
cook prepare him Il mustard poultice
and had retired early. Burns was on
watch from : Ia T. and ON coming
into the forward house at quarter
after II O'Clock to eat his night lunch
reported to Singleton that the captain
was in bed and that Mr.. Turner had
been asking for him Singleton there,
fore took his cap and went on deck.
This was about twenty minutes after
II. He had had drink or two earlier
in the evening. and he took another in
his cabin when he got his cap.
He found Turner in the chart house
playing solitaire and drinking He WAS
alone. and be asked Singleton to join
him. The first mate looked at his
watch and accepted the invitation. but
decided to look around the forward
house to be sure the captain was
asleep. He went on deck. He could
hear Burns and the lookout talking
The forward house was dark. He lis
tened outside the captains door and
heard him breathing heavily. as if
asleep. He stood there for a moment.
He had an uneasy feeling that some
one was watching him. He thought
of Schwartz and was uncomfortable
He did not feel the whisky at all
He struck light and looked around
There was no one in sight. He could
hear Charlie Jones in the forecaste
drumming on his banjo and Burns
whistling the same tune as he went
aft to strike the bell tit was the duty
OF the officer on watch to strike the
hour. Ii was then half after H. As
he passed the captains door again his
foot struck something. and it fell to
the floor He was afraid the captain
had been reused and stood still until
he heard him breathing regularly again
Then he stopped down. His foot had
struck an Ak upright against the cap.
tain's door and had Knocked 1t down.
The AK belonged ON the outer wall
of the forward house 1t was a rule
that 1t must not be removed from its
place except in emergency. and the
brst mate carried 1t out and leaned 1t
against the forward port corner of the
after house when he went below.
Later. Oh his watch he carried 1t
forward and put it where ii belonged.
He found Turner waiting on deck. and
together they descended to the chart
room. He was none too clear as to
what followed. They drank together.