The Detroit times., 1915-09-21

nioEc btcduis luht NDat WCh w.
We're well out OF that hell hole yon.
der. An hour more and we'd have
been In the thick OF II. We're we'll
out of II. l tell you"
Capt. Hardin applied his eye to
his telescope once more. The boy
upon his shoulder followed suit.
"welcher.'' said the captain brave.
ly. we've got to 60 back"
Back" cried the mate. why, II
was you yourself said that that
meant DEATH"
The captain nodded. ''For that
very reason" he returned, I'VE must
go back. Those people need us
thousands OF them already cry for
help. We must do what We can"
You're a fool" retorted Welcher.
Then he touched his cap with his
forefinger. II beg your pardon.
sir" he said.
The captain still looked aft--ai-
WAYS aft. That's all right. Welch.
err" he returned. never once taking
his glance from the red death In the
distance. You and I grew up to-
gether. Ben. We're friends. You
can call me anything you like--but
we must 20 back"
Welcher's eyes narrowed. Then
II lean have my say I'll say It," he
retorted, a bit savageiy. "aud I say
again that you're a FOOL. You've got
n ship and you've got cargo. un.
derstand--what will become OF
them!"
The captain never faltered
There are thousands back there
waiting for u.s." he repeated.
Weicher stepped forward. He
pointed toward the woman At the
captains side. He pointed to the
boy upon the captains shoulders.
what about them. captain!" he
exclaimed. They're yours-theyre
human flesh and blood"
The captain still looked aft. my
| ship and cargo and my wife and
boy" he said. must take pot luck
with me-"
by George. then" exclaimed
| Welcher, "what about my boy!
You've got no right 10 risk him.
have you--and II 1t goes to that.
what about me? say won't 30
back
Young Joey welcher still clutched
his fathers trouser leg. Il aint
going back there. neither" young
Joey snarled dehantly.
Mrs. Hardin looked anxiously at
her husband. what are you going
to do. Jack?" she queried tremu-
| lously. What are you going to
do?"
The captain turned to her: his
| face broke into confident smile.
What am going to do7" he
I queried. 'Ill tell you what I'm go
| ing to dol am going to leave II
TO young Neal Hardin here: he'll
settle It for ns. Neal, my boy. what
are we going TO DOR
Young Neal drew long breath.
We're going back" he said. Swift
, ly he slipped from his fathers shoul.
der and landed on his feet He
stood at attention for n moment
: and saluted. For one instant he
dartcd TO the port side and disap-
peared---and then returned. This
time. In addition to his telescope,
he carried q small :nesaphone. He
placed the latter TO his lips He
drew another full, deep breath.
Put her hard aport." he shouted
through his megaphone, and then
full speed ahead"
The captain drew his wife to one
side and put his arm around her
waist.
"He Is worth all the ships and
cargoes In the world" he whispered
TO her. He's got the making Of q
, naval hero In him. No matter what
happens to me. dear. remember
this. When nc grows up, put him
! TO sea--hc must follow the sea
: he's got II In his blood"
CHAPTER u.
3 W. eVOk WV.
On the same day--the day Of the
red death ut Martinique-and but
two short hours before the pilot put
the helm OF the tramp steamer
Princess hard aport. three men sat
On the versnda Of a low-roofed.
white-walled bungalow in St Pierre.
One of these men was Ellington.
u young American. He passed
around box Of fragrant Martinique
chcroots. He folded up some half
dozen slips Of paper he had been
examining and returned them to an.
other individual who faced him from
across the table.
"Senor Hernandez" exclaimed
this young American. "for a week at
least--half hundred times---f have
told you your credentials were salts
factory to me-"
Hernandes nodded sraveiy. He
thrust tho papers back into q pocket
and tapped them significantly.
Suddenly the American turned
and faced the third member of the
cotcrie.
And what" he exclaimed, what
of Ponto hers?"
This third Individual was the
strangest creature Of them all. He
was q Mexican: dark, very dark:
low browed: small eyed. He weish.