Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-01-28

number of men, however, who were
iounging about q companionway be-
tween the galley and the hatch, and
who did not seem to be sailors, contin-
ued talking in low tones with one an.
other. These, l afterward learned,
were the hunters, the men who shot
the seals. and very superior breed
to common sailor folk.
"Johansen!" Wolf Larsen called out.
A sailor stepped forward obediently
Get your palm and needle and sew
the beggar up. You'll find some old
canvas in the sail locker Make it do"
Any of you fellows got a Bible or
prayerbook?" was the captains next
demand, this time of the hunters loung-
ing about the companionway.
They shook their heads. and some
one made a 1ocular remark which l
did not catch, but which raised a gen
eral laugh.
The captain shrugged his shoulders
Then we'll drop him over without any
palavering. unless our clerical-looking
castaway has the burial service at sea
by heart"
By this time he had swung around
and was facing me.
You're preacher. aren't your" he
asked.
The hunters-there were six of
them-to a man. turned and regarded
me. ! was painfully aware of my like
ness to a scarecrow. A laugh went up
at my Appearances laugh that was
not lessened or softened by the dead
man stretched and grinning on the
deck before us; a 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 q 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. sheltering under q
heavy brow and arched over by thick.
black eyebrows. we're of bafling. pro
team gray which was never. twice the
same; they were eyes that masked
the soul with thousand guises.
But to return. I told him that, un-
happily for the burial service. | was
not a preacher. when he sharply de-
manded:
What do you do for a living?"
confess ! had never had such O
question asked me before. nor had I
ever canvassed it. l was quite taken
aback. and before l could find myself
had Silly stammered. II am a gen.
tleman."
His lip curled in a swift sheer
n,
impetuously, as though he were my
Judge and ! required vindication, and
at the same time very much aware Of
my arrant idiocy in discussing the sub
ject at all
For your living?"
There was something so imperative
and masterful about him that I was
quite beside myself-"rattled." as Flu.
ruseth would have termed it. like a
quaking child before a stern school
master
Who feeds your" was his next
question.
II have an income" ] answered
stoutly. and could have bitten my
tongue the next instant. "All of which.
you will pardon my observing. has
nothing whatsoever to do with what l
wish to see you about"
But he disregarded my protest.
Who earned it? En-? l thought so.
Your father You stand on deadmep's
legs. You've never had any of your
own. You couldn't walk alone be-
tween two sunr1ses 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-
rately, or | must have slept a moment.
for before I knew 1t he had stepped
two PAGES forward. gripped my right
hand in his. and held 1t up for inspec-
ton. tried to withdraw ii. but his
fingers frightened. without visible ef-
fort. till | thought mine would be
crushed. when he dropped II with q
fiirt of disdain.
Dead mems hands have kept IT soft
Good for little else than DISTINGUISHING
and scullion work."
II wish to be put ashore" ! said
firmly. for I now had myself in control