The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-10-24
CHAPTER TX.
From the Crows Nest.

- DeiiS, uuTlnS the uaTkeSt nOui
of the night that precedes the early
dawn of summer, Adams from. the
crows nest called down in Il panic that
there was something crawling on all
fOurs on the deck below him.
Burns. on watch at the companion
way. ran forward with his revolver
and narrowly escaped being Drained
Adams at that moment finging down
a marliDespike that he Carried aloft
with him.
heard the crash and joined Burns
and together we went over the deck
and both houses. Everything wns
quiet-the crew in various attitudes OF
exhausted sleep. their chests and ditty.
bags around them: Oleson at the
wheel and Singleton in his Jail room
breathing heavily
Adams nerve was completely gone.
and. being now thoroughly awake. !
Joined him in the crows nest. Nothing
could convince him that he had been
the victim of Il nervous hallucination
He stuck TO his story firmly.
ut WIS on the forecnStle head first
he maintained Il saw it gieam
"Gleaming?'
Sort of shining" be explained. ali
came up over the rail-. and at first il
stood up tall. like white post"
you didn't say before that it was
white"
1T was shining" he said slowly. try.
Ing to put his idea into understandable
not exactly white. but light colored
Ii stood still for so long thought |
must be mistHken-that il was light
on the rigging then | got TO thinking
that there wasn't no place for light
to come from Just there"
| accepted the story with outward
belief and mental reservation. But
did not relish the idea of the spike
Adams had thrown lying below on
deck. No more formidable weapon
short of an ak could be devised. |
said as much.
I'm going down for It," said: IF
you're nervous. you'd better keep it by
you. But don't drop it on everything
that moves below. You almost go:
Burns"
| went down cautiously and struck
match where Adams had indicated the
spike It was not there. Nor had
Burns picked it up. A splintered board
showed where it had struck. and
smaller indentation where it had re-
bounded; but the marlinespike was
gone. and Burns had not seen it. We
got lantern and searched systematic
ally. without result Burns turned to
me face ghastly in the oil light.
Somebody has it." he said. land
there will he more murder. Oh. my
God, Leslier'
Eight bells rang out sharply. The
watch changed. took the revolver
and Burns position at the compa nion-
way, while Burns went aft. He lined
up the men by the pinnacle light and
went over them carefully. The marine
spike was not found: but he took from
the cook long meat knife. and
brought both negro and knife forward
to me. The man was almost collapsing
with terror. He maintained that be
had taken the knife for self protection
and we let him go with a warning.
Dawn brought me an hours sleep.
the first since my awakening in the
storeroom. When reused. Jones at
the wheel had thrown an extra blan-
ket over me. for the morning was cool
and 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. found
all four women awake and dressed and
Mrs. Turner. whose hour it was on
duty. in chair outside the door. The
stewardess, her arm in sling. was
making tea over Il spirit lamp. and
Elsa was helping her. Mrs. Johns was
stretched on u divan. and on the table
lay small revolver
Clearly Elsa had told the incident of
the key. 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 bad night"
said
"A very bad night" Mrs. Turner re-
piled stifiiy.
"Delirium:''
VERY marked. He has talked of a
white figure. We cannot quite make it
out 1t seems to be Wilmer-Mr Vail"
She had not opened the door, but