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

perhaps that l had so much to dis.
tract my mind from the situation III
the after house.
The second of the series of curious
incidents that complicated our return
voyage occurred that night. l was on
watch from eight bells (midnight) until
in the morning. Jones was in the
crows nest. Mcnamara at the wheel.
was at the starboard forward corner
of the after house looking over the
rail. l thought that l had seen the
lights of a steamer.
The rain had ceased, but the night
was still very dark. l heard a sort
of rapping from the forward house
and took step toward it, listening
Jones heard it. too. and called down
to me nervously to see what was
wrong.
called up TO him cautiously to come
down and take my place while 1 in
vestigated. 1 thought it was Single
ton. When Jones had taken up his
position at the companionway | went
forward. The knocking continued, and
1 traced it to Singleton's cabin. He
was at the door hammering frantical-
". L called to him through the open
window, but the only answer was re-
newed and louder pounding.
L ran around to his door and felt for
the key which l carried.
What is the matter?' / called.
For Gods sake, open the door,
l unlocked it and threw it open. He
retreated before me with his hands our
and huddled against the wall beside
the window. l struck q match. His
face was drawn and distorted. and he
held his arm up as if to ward of a
blow.
'WelI?'' I demanded
1T was there he said. looking over
his shoulder. It's been there three
times. looking mall in white and
grinning at me-"
"A man.
Tit hasn't got any face"
How could it grin at you if it hasn't
any face:" 1 demanded impatiently.
Pull yourself together and tell me
what you saw"
1t was some time before he could
tell connected story, and when he
did 1 was inclined to suspect that he
had heard US talking the night before,
had heard Adams description of the
intruder on the forecastle head and
that, what with drink and terror. he
had fancied the rest. And vet l was
not so sure.
Il was asleep. the first time he
said Il don't know how long ago it
was. l woke up cold. with the feet
ing that something was looking at me-
i raised up in bed, and there was
thing at the window. 1t was look
ing in
"A white head?'
1T wasn't head For Gods sake.
that, l saw it. That's enough. l
saw it three times
1T isn't enough for me-" said dog !
gedly. 1T hadn't any head or face. /
but it looked in. It's dark out there /
How could you see:'' |
For reply he leaned over and, turn +
ing down the lamp. blew it out. We
sat in the smoking darkness. and slow
ly out of the thick night the window
outlined itself. | could see it distinct
". But how. white and faceess had
il stared in at the window or reached
through the bars. as Singleton declar-
ed il had done. and waved Il fingerlcss
hand at US?
He was in a state of mental and |
physical collapse and begged so pitt
fully not to be left that at last | told
him l would take him with me on his
promise 10 remain in a chair until
lawn and to go back without demur
He sat near me, amidships. huddled
Town among the cushions of one of
he wicker chairs. not sleeping, bur
taring straight out, motionlesS.
With the first light OF dawn Burns
elieycd ne. and went forward with
Singleton. He dropped into his bui .
nd Was asleep almost immediately.
OiCsOn and Adams made no attemp. |
D work that day. Indeed. OleSon wa,
ot able. As ! had promised. th2
reakfaSt for the after house was pluc
Il ON the companion steps by Tom,
he cook. wheace it was removed by
irs. Sloane. | saw nothing of either
lisa Lee or Mrs. Johns.
That afternoon. alone. made a sec
nd ami more thorough examination o;
le forecast!e and the hold In the
primer ! found nothing, Having been
.osed for over twenty-four hours, il