The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1916-01-28

lie put Few spokes over, and
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- second hand
took form in the darkness beside It,.
watched, fascinated. What visitant
behold? Whatever II 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, ut 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. 40
hansen!"
Where is he?" he demanded of
Harrison.
The young fellow seemed to have
recovered his composure. for he an
swered steadily enough. 81 don't
know, sir. saw him go forward a
little while ago."
$50 did go for'ard. But ] didn't
come back the way went. Can
you explain it?"
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
do. Como on. Never mind your bed.
ding Leave it where it is"
followed at his heels. There was
nothing stirring amidships,
Those cursed hunters" was his
comment. TOO damned fat and lazy
to stand a four-hour watch"
found three sailors asleep. He turned
them over and looked at their faces.
They composed the watch on deck.
and it was the ships custom, in good
weather, to let the watch sleep with
the exception of the officer. the
helmsman and the lookout.
who's the lookout" he demanded
me. SIR" answered Holyoak, one
of the deep-water sailors, slight tre-
NOR in his voice. 81 winked off just
this very minute, sir. I'm sorry sir.
1t won't happen again"
Did you hear or see anything on
deck?"
mo, sir, /"
But Wolf Larsen had turned away
with a snort Of disgust, leaving the
sailor rubbing his eyes with surprise
at having been let off so easily.
softly. now" Wolf Larsen warned
me in a whisper, as he doubled his
body into the forecastle scuttle and
| prepared to descend.
l followed with a quaking heart
What was to happen l knew no more
than did know what had happened
But blood had been shed, and 1t was
! through no within of Wolf Larsen that
he had gone over the side with his
| scalp laid open. Besides, Johanser
| was missing.
It was my first descent into the fore
castle, and shall not soon forget my
impression of it. 1t smelled sour and
musty, and by the dim light of the
| swinging sea-lamp | saw every bit oil
available wall space hung deep with
| sea-boots, oilskins and garments
clean and dirty. of various sorts
Though it was mild night on the
sea, there was continual chorus Of
the creaking timbers and bulkheads
and of abysmal noises beneath the
| flooring.
The sleepers did not mind. There
were eight of them-the two watches
below-and the air was thick with
the warmth and odor of their breath
] ing, and the ear was filled with the
noise of their snoring and of their
| signs and half-groans, tokens plain
of the rest of the animal-man. But
were they sleeping? all of them? Oh
had they been sleeping? This was EVIL
IDENTIFY Wolf Larsen's quest-to find
the men who appeared to be ASLEEP
and who were not asleep or who had
not been asleep very recently. And
he went about II in way that re
minded me Of story out Of Boccac
| clio.
He took the sea-lamp from its
swinging frame and handed II to me
He began at the first hunks forward
on the starboard side. In the top OF
one lay Oofty- Oofty. q Kanaka and
splendid seaman. SO named by bis
mates. He was asleep on his bach
/ - H. Il a.