Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1914-12-24

Briefly, Singleton'S watch began at
midnight. The captain, who had been
complaining of lumbago. had had the
cook prepare him a mustard poultice
and had retired early. Burns was on
watch from s to - and ON coming
into the forward house ut Il 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 a 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 he 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
n was watching him. He thought
Of Schwartz and was uncomfortable.
He did not feel the whisky at all.
He struck a light and looked around.
There vas no one in sight. He could
hear Charlie Jones in the ~forecastle
drumming on his banjo and Burns
whistling the same tune as he went
aft to strike the bell lit was the duty
of the officer on watch to strike the
hour. 1t was then half after II. 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 it down.
The AK belonged on the outer wall
Of the forward house. 1t was a rule
that it must not be removed from it's
place except in emergency. and the
first mate carried it out and leaned it
against the forward port corner Of the
after house when he went below.
Later. Oh his watch. he carried it
forward and put it where it belonged.
He found Turner waiting on deck, and
together they descended to the chart
room. He was none toe clear as to
what followed. They drank together.
Vail tried to get Turner to bed and
failed. He believed that Burns had
called the captain. The captain had
ordered him to the deck. and there had
been a furious quarrel. He felt i'll by
that time. and when he went on watch
at midnight Burns was uncertain
about leaving him. He was not in
toXicated, he maintained. until after
half-past 1. He was able to strike
the bell without difficulty. and spoke.
each time he went aft. to Charlie
Jones. who was at the wheel.
After that. however. he suddenly
felt strange. He thought he had been
doped and told the helmsman so. He
asked Jones to strike the bell for him
and, going up on the forecastle head.
lay down on the boards and fell asleep.
He did not waken until be heard six
bells struck-3 o'clock-and before he
had fully reused had called him.
Then" I said. when the lookout
saw you with the AK you were replac-
ing it,"
YES"
The lookout says you were not on
deck between 2 and 3 O'clock"
"How does he know? / was asleep"
You had threatened to get the cap
tain"
II had II revolver. didn't need to
use ain AK"