Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-30

40 SS ms II
| Zone of US will be on watch always"
! the wheel had thrown an extra blan-
ket over me. for the morning was cool
and a fine rain was falling.
The men were scattered around in
attitudes of detection. one or two of
them leaning over the rail watching
the jolly boat riding easily behind us.
Turner was violent that day. l found
all four women awake and dressed and
Mrs. Turner. whose hour it was on
duty. in Il chair outside the door. The
stewardess. her arm in IA sling. was
making tea over spirit lamp. and
Elsa was helping her. Mrs. Johns was
stretched on divan. and on the table
lay a small revolver.
Clearly Elsa had told the incident OF
the key. l felt at once the atmosphere
of antagonism. Mrs. Johns watched
me coolly from under lowered eyelids.
The stewardess openly scowled. and
Mrs. Turner rose hastily and glanced
at Mrs. Johns. as If in doubt. Elsa had
her back to me and was busy with the
cups.
I'm afraid you've had a bad night"
/ said.
"A very bad night" Mrs. Turner re-
piled stiffly.
"Delirium
VERY marked. He has talked of n
white figure. We cannot quite make it
out. 1t seems to be Wilmer-Mr Vail"
She had not opened the door, bug
stood, nervouSly twisting her fingers,
before it,
THE bromides had no effect:"
She glanced helplessly at the others.
None she said after Il moment.
Elsa Lee wheeled suddenly and
glanced scornfully at her sister.
why don't you tell him?" she de-
manded. why don't you say you did
not give the bromides?"
why not?"
Mrs. Johns raised herself on her ell
bow and looked at me.
why should we?" she asked. How
do we know what you are giving him?
You are not friendly to him or to us.
We know what you are trying to do.
You are trying to save yourself at any
cost. You put n guard at the compan-
ionway. You rail Off the deck for our
safety. You drop the storeroom key
in Mr.. Turner's cabin, where Elsa will
find 1t and will be obliged to acknowl- !
edge she found it. and then take it
from her by force. so you can show it |
later on and save yourself"
Elsa turned on her quickly.
II told you how he got it, Adele. | |
tried to throw it,
"Oh. if you intend to protect himr'
81 am rather bewildered." said
slowly: but. under the circumstances.
suppose you do not wish me to took
after Mr.. Turner"
Mrs. Johns got up and lounged to
he table.
I'VE have decided" she said inso-
emily. that. if the crew may estab-
ish a dead line. so may we. Our dead
inc is the foot Of the companionway.
One of US will be on watch always. l
I'm an excellent shot"
81 do not doubt it." I faced her ~
I'M afraid you will suffer for air. other
wise the arrangement is good You re-
ieve me OF part of the responsibility
or your safety. Tom will bring your
God TO the steps and leave it there"
Thank you"
And / turned to where Elsa sat.
I
end for me- said 'But want you
D know that my one object in life
rom now on is to get you back safely
D land: that your safety comes first.
nd that the vigilance on deck in your
interest will not be relaxed
Fine words the stewarless NUT
cred.
The low mumbling from Turner's
Dom had persisted steadily. Now it
Ose again in the sharp frenzy that had
characterized it through the long night.
Don't look Mt me like that. man."
@ cried. and then-"He's lost a hand.
hand
Ii rained heavily all that day. Late
! the afternoon we got some wind.
nd all hands turned out TO trim sail
ctiOn was relief. and the weather
lited our disheartened state better
IAN had the pitiless August sun, the
aring white OF deck and canvas and
le heat.
watched the weather anxiousiy
q were too short handed 10 manage
ny sort Of gale, and yet the urgency
our return made ii unwise to shcrt.
! canvas too much. 1t was as well