The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-07-11

We rowed slowly around neI' we
were wet and beginning to chll. NO
way seemed TO offer by which we
could reach her decks save by difficult
clamberjng. for the gang ladder was
surrounded ten deep by empty boats.
A profound dlscouragement succeeded
the excitement under which we had
made our effort.
'sThe deuce with herr snarled john
ny. "Theres no sense going aboard
her. There's enough on deck now to
fill her three times over. Let's get
back where it's warm."
"If run across any Of those fellows
In town I'll break their necksp said /.
"What makes me mad continued
Johnny.
"Oh, for heavens sake shut up"
cried Talbot
IL he had been a little less cold and
miserable we probably would have
uuarreled. AS 1t was, we merely
bumped over and motloned the aston
ished Manuel to return to the shore.
Our boats head turned, we dropped
down under the bow of the ship. In
order to avoid the sweep Of the seas
Manuel held us as closely as possible
under the bowsprlt. We heard a hall
above US. Looking up we saw Yank
bending over the rail.
We stared at him, our mouths open,
80 astonished that for a moment we
did not even think to check the boat.
| Then we came back in a clumsy cir
Gle. Yank yelled at us, and we yelled
back at him, but SO great was the
crash of waters and the whlstling OF
wind that we could make out nothing.
Then Yank, motloning us to remain
where we were, disappeared, to return
after short interval with a speaking
trumpet. taI tANH
"Have you got your baggage with
your he roared.
We shook our heads and waved our
arms.
"Go get itr' he ordered.
We screamed something back at him.
"Go get itr he repeated and with
drew his head entirely.
We rowed back to town. 1t was no
longer necessary to return to the ex-
posed beach where we had waited to
sight the ships. Johnny and l In
dulged In much excited speculation,
but Talbot refused to show curiosity.
"He's there, and he's evidently en-
gagged us passage, and he wants US
aboard to claim it," said he. land
that's all we can know now, and that's
enough for me-"
Yank met us at the top Of the gang
way and assisted us In getting our
baggage aboard. Johnny and l pep
pered him with questions, to which he
vouchsafed no answer. When we had
paid off the boatman he led the way
down hatch into very dark hole
near the bows A dim lantern swayed
to and fro. Through the murk we
could make out dozen hunks.
"Thcy call this the fo'cas'le," said
Yank placidly. "Crew sleeps here
This IL our happy home. Everything
else full up. We four" said he, with
little flash of triumph, "are just
billing at Panama that gets passage
She's loaded to the muzzle with men
that's come away around the Horn In
her, and the only reason she stopped
In here Mt all IS to get new thing
um-a-jig of some sort that she had lost
or busted or something"
"Well, I don't like my happy home
while she wabbles so,' said Johnny
"I'm going to be seaslck, as usual. But
for heavens sake, Yank, tell us where
you came from and all about 1t. Ant
make 1t brief, for I'm going to be sea
sick pretty soon."
He lay down in one of the hunks ant
closed his eyes.
you'd much better come up on decl
into the fresh air." said Talbot.
''Flre ahead, Yank, please!' begget
Johnny.
"Well," said Yank, when drew
that steamer ticket 1t struck me tina
somebody might want 1t lot NOR
than ] did. especially as you fellow
drew blanks. SO hunted up mai
who was In hurry and sold 1t to hin
for $500. Then | hired one of thes
sail rugged fishing boats and laid 1
grub for n week and went cruising ou
to sea FIVE or six miles,"
Johnny opened one eye.
"Why?" he demanded feebly.
~ was figgering on meeting any oil
ship that came along little befor
the crowd got at her" said Yanh
sAnd Judging by the gangs remark
that Just left, should think I'd fil
, gered just right"
"You bet you did" put In Talbot en-
; phatically.
: at must have been mighty uncon
Portable cruising out therc in that lttl
boat so long" said l. 81 wonder tn
, men would stick"
~ paid them ana they had to-" sal
Yank grlmly.
"Why didu't you let us in on III"
asked.
"What for? It wGs only Il ore ma
job, SO then | struck thm Shin an
got aboard h,r nrter i,ttlc troubl
persuadlng her 60 stop There WASH
no way of ilusGg that captain bclley