The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1916-04-14


watched the compass card swing
slowly to NNW and steady itself with
slight oscillations.
| took a fresh hold on my bed
clothes and was preparing to start
on, when some movement caught my
eye and | looked astern to the rail-
A sinewy hand, dripping with water.
was clutching the rail. A second hand
took form in the darkness beside 1t.
watched, fascinated. What visitant
from the gloom Of the deep was to
behold? Whatever 1t was, knew that
It was climbing aboard by the log.
line. saw head, the hair wet and
straight. shape itself. and then the un.
mistakable eyes and face OF Wolf
Larsen. His right cheek was red with
blood, which flowed from some wound
In the head.
He drew himself inboard with
quick effort, and arose to his feet,
glancing swiftly, as he did so, at the
man at the wheel. as though to assure
himself of his identity and that there
was nothing to fear from him. The
sea water was streaming from him.
1t made little audible gurgles which
distracted me. AS he stepped toward
me shrank back instinctively, for
saw that in his eyes which spelled
death.
"All right Hump" he said in low
voice. where's the mater"
shook my head.
"Johansen!" he called softly. 10
hansen!"
Where is he?" he demanded Of
Harrison.
The young fellow seemed to have
recovered his composure, for he an
swered steadily enough, I don't
know, sir. | saw him go forward a
little while ago"
$50 did l go for'ard. But | didn't
come back the way went Can
you explain TT"
: "You must have been overheard
: SIR"
shall look for him in the steer
age. sir?" asked.
Wolf Larsen shook his head. You
wouldn't find him, Hump. But you'll
Q do. Come on. Never mind your bed
!, ding. Leave II where 1t is"
followed at his heels. There wal
! nothing stirring amidships.
Those cursed hunters" was hii
0 comment. TOO damned fat and lazI
to stand a four-hour watch"
But on the forecastle head VI
$ found three sailors asleep. He turne'
0 them over and looked at their faces
q They composed the watch on deck
y and it was the ships custom, in goo,
4 weather. to let the watch sleep wit
e the exception of the officer. tn
i helmsman and the lookout.
y who's the lookout" he demanded
= me. sir" answered Holyoak, on
:. of the deep-water sailors. slight tr'
: NOR in his voice. Il winked of Jus
q this very minute. sir. I'm sorry. 81
"A It won't happen again"
!. did you hear or see anything 0
n. deck?"
Z, mo sir, Il"
y But Wolf Larsen had turned ava
!, with a snort OF disgust, leaving I'll
sailor rubbing his eyes with surprii
"A at having been let of so easily.
- "Softly, now" Wolf Larsen warns
- me in a whisper. as he doubled b
~ body into the forecastle scuttle ar
nj prepared to descend.
va followed with a quaking heal
ba What was to happen ] knew no mo
Oh than did | know what had happene
he But blood had been shed, and II VI
es through no within Of Wolf Larsen tn
he had gone over the side with b
scalp laid open. Besides. Johans'
ch was missing.
ga II was my first descent into the foi
,ss castle. and | shall not soon forget Q
N impression of 1t. 1t smelled sour Al
an musty. and by the dim light OF Z
an swinging sea-lamp saw every BIT
mo available wall space hung deep wi
,at sea-boots, oilskins and carmen
clean and dirty. Of various sor
an Though it was a mild night on {
.,r sea, there was q continual chorus
the creaking timbers and bulkhea
,as and Of abysmal noises beneath
flooring.
ola The sleepers did not mind. The
we're eight Of them-the two watch
"a below-and the air was thick W
nc the warmth and odor of their brea
NV ing. and the ear was filed with
nr noise OF their snoring and OF tn
signs and haltgroans. tokens pli
go. OF the rest OF the animal-man. l
ver we're they sleepingl all Of themi
ere had they been sleeping? This was {
ing IDENTIFY Wolf Larsen's quest--to 6
de. the men who appeared TO be asl'
cen and who were not asleep or who
ere not been asleep very recently. A
was he went about il in a way that
our. minded me Of a story out OF Bocc
un- clio.
He took the sea-lamp from
aud swinging frame and handed 1t to
the He began at the first hunks forw
was on the starboard side. In the top
His one lay Oofty-Oofty. q Kanaka |
He splendid seaman. so famed by
-. NJ - autaat m his h