Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-03-17

below. 1t was a calm night. We were
out of the trades, and the Ghost was
forging ahead barely knot an hour.
So / tucked a blanket and pillow un-
der my arm and went up on deck.
AS l passed between Harrison and
the pinnacle, which was built into the
top of the cabin. noticed that he was
this time fully three points off. His
eyes were wide and staring. He
seemed greatly perturbed.
What's the matter?" asked. Are
you sick?"
He shook his head, and with deep
sigh, as of awakening. caught his
breath.
You'd better get on your course.
then" / chided
He put a 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 l 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.
l watched. fascinated. What visitant
from the gloom of the deep was to
behold? Whatever it was, knew that
it was climbing aboard by the log
line. l saw a 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. Th'
sea water was streaming from him
1t made little audible gurgles which
distracted me- As he stepped towart
me l shrank back instinctively, for
saw that In his eyes which spellet
death.
AL right, Hump" he said in Low
voice. Where's the mattel"
l shook my head.
"Johansen!" he called softly. &c
hansen!"
Where is he?" he demanded O
Harrison.
The young fellow seemed to hav
recovered his composure. for he al
swered steadily enough. Il don
know, sir. / saw him 60 forward
little while ago."
80 did I 60 for'ard. But l didn
come back the way / went. Ca
you explain it?"
You must have been overboar'
SIR"
Shall / look for him in the stee
age, sir?' l asked.
Wolf Larsen shook his head. "Yo
|, wouldn't find him, Hump. But you
|. do. Come on. Never mind your be-
! ding. Leave it where it is"
followed at his heels. There WI
: nothing stirring amidships.
Those cursed hunters" was h
comment. TOO damned fat and la
. to stand four-hour watch"
n But on the forecastle head v
\ found three sailors asleep. He turnt
them over and looked at their face
= They composed the watch on dec
and 1t was the ships custom. in goo
!, weather, to let the watch sleep Wi
: the exception of the officer. Il
!. helmsman and the lookout.
q who's the lookout" he demande
e me, sir" answered Holyoak. OF
b Of the deep-water sailors, slight tt
e NOR in his voice. Il winked on tu
g this very minute. sir. I'm sorry. 81
It won't happen again"
i did you hear or see anything
b deck?
q mo. sir, +"
g But Wolf Larsen had turned aw,
n with a snort of disgust, leaving Il
n sailor rubbing his eyes with surpri
!. at having been let on so easily.
e "Softly, now" Wolf Larsen warn'
It me in a whisper, as he doubled b
body into the forecastle scuttle al
n prepared to descend.
y followed with quaking heal
q What was to happen I knew no mo
. than did know what had happene
But blood had been shed, and 1t W
d through no within of Wolf Larsen tn
he had gone over the side with
d scalp laid open. Besides. Johans'
e was missing.
VI 1t was my first descent into the fol
). castle. and I shall not soon forget q
impression of 1t. It smelled sour al
l. musty, and by the dim light Of 4
II swinging sea-lamp saw every bit
e available wall space hung deep wi
g sea-boots. oilskins and carmen
p clean and dirty. of various sor
y