The Arvada enterprise., 1916-08-03


castaway has the burial service at sea
by heart"
BY this time he had swung around
and was facing me.
You're a preacher. aren't you?" he
asked.
The hunters-there were six OF
them-to man, turned and regarded
ME. | was painfully aware OF my like.
ness to scarecrow. A laugh went up
at my appearance-a laugh that was
not lessened or softened by the dead
man stretched and grinning on the
deck before us; laugh that was
as rough and harsh and frank as the
sea itself; that arose out of coarse
feelings and blunted sensibilities, from
natures that knew neither courtesy
nor gentleness.
Wolf Larsen did not laugh. though
his gray eyes lighted with light CLINT
OF amusement; and in that moment.
having stepped forward quite close to
him. l received my first impression OF
the man himself. The face. the Jaw.
the chin. the brow. rising to a goodly
height and swelling heavily above the
eyes-these. while strong in them.
selves. unusually strong. seemed to
speak an immense vigor or virility of
spirit that lay behind and beyond and
out of sight.
The eyes, wide apart as the true
artists are wide. shetering under a
heavy brow and arched over by thick,
black eyebrows. were Of battling, pro.
team gray which was never twice the
same; they were eyes that masked
the soul with thousand guises.
But to return. | told him that, un.
happily for the burial service. | was
not preacher. when he sharply de.
manded:
What do you do for a living?"
| confess | had never had such q
question asked me before. nor had
ever canvassed it. | was quite taken
aback. and before could find myself
had Silly stammered. II am a gen.
tleman"
His lip curled in swift sheer.
Il have worked, | do work" cried
impetuously. as though he we're my
Judge and ! required vindication. and
at the same time very much aware OF
my arrant idiocy in discussing the sub.
jcct at all.
For your living?"
There was something so imperative
and masterful about him that | was
quite beside myself-"rattled." as Flu
ruseth would have termed II, like a
quaking child before stern school.
master
who feeds you?" was his next
question.
Il have an income" | answered
stoutly. and could have bitten my
tongue the next instant. IAN OF which.
you will pardon my observing, has
nothing whatsoever to do with what |
wish to see you about"
But he disregarded my protest.
who earned II? Eth? | thought so.
Your father. You stand on deadmcn's
legs. You've never had any OF your
own. You couldn't walk alone be.
tween two sunrises and hustle the
meat for your belly for three meals
Let me see your hand"
His tremendous. dormant strength
must have stirred. swiftly and accu
ratcly. or | must have slept moment,
for before | knew II he had steppcd
two PAGES forward. gripped my RICH,
hand In his. and held II up for inspec.
ton. ! tried to withdraw Il. but his
fingers frightened. without visible eff,
fort, TIL thought mine would be
crushed. when ne dropped |, with a
Nirt OF disdaIn.
Dead mems hands have kept II so',
Good for little else than dish washing
and scullion work"
u wish to be pu, ashore" | said
firmly. for now had myself In control
Il shall pay you whatever you Judge
your delay and trouble to be worth :"
He looked at me curIously Mock.
cry shone In hts eyes.
Il have a counter proposition TO
make, and for the good Of your soul.
My mates gone, and thcroll be n lot
OF promotion. 4 sailor comN aft to
take mates place. cnbInboy 4 res for.
ard to take sailors place. nud you
'"N" III" 'AD'U'Dby pace sign inc ar
tlclcs for the cruise. twenty dollars
per month and found Now what do
you say? And. mind you, us for your
own souls sake. II VIII be tho max
INK of you, You might learn In time
to stand on your own legs and perhaps
TO toddlo along bit"
Bu, took no notice. The sails Of
tho vessel had Bcon OF 10 the south
west had grown larger and palmer
They were OF tho same schooner rig
ms tho Ghost, though the hull Itself.
! could see. was smaller.
THAT vessel VIII soon b. passing
u.s." ! said, after a moments pause
AS she Is going In the opposite dl
rcc,ion. she II very probably bound for
San Frant<sco,"
Very probably" was Wolf i.arsen's
answer, MS he turned partly away from
me and cried out. "Co0ky, oh.
Cooky'"
Tho Coekney popped out OF the gal
ley.