The L'Anse sentinel., 1916-03-11

. --@.s.-
They shook their heads, and some
one made a jocular remark which 1
did not catch. but which raised gen.
eral laugh.
The captain shrugged his shoulders.
Then weIl 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 man, turned and regarded
me. ! was painfully aware of my like
ness to 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. received my first impression of
the man himself. The face, the jaw,
the chin. the brow, rising to 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
heavy brow and arched over by thick.
black eyebrows. were of baffling. 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 . living?"
I confess l had never had such q
question asked me before, nor had I
ever canvassed It. was quite taken
aback, and before I could find myself
had sillily stammered. IL am gen.
tleman."
His lip curled in swift sneer.
81 have worked, do work." cried
impetuously, as though he were my
Judge and I required vindication. and
at the same time very much aware Of
my arrant idiocy in discussing the sub.
ject at all.
"For your nving?"
There was something so imperative
and masterful about him that I was
quite beside myself-"rattled," as Fu
ruseth would have termed It, like q
Quaking child before stern school
master.
who feeds your" was his next
question.
Il 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
wish to see you about"
But he disregarded my protest.
who earned it, Eh? thought SO.
Your father. You stand on deadmen'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.
rately, or must have slept moment.
for before I knew It he had stepped
two PAGES forward, gripped my right
hand in his. and held it 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 It with a
flirt of disdain.
Dead mems hands have kept It soft.
Good for little else than dish-washing
and scullion work."
II wish to be put ashore" ] said
firmly, for now had myself in control.
81 shall pay you whatever you Judge
your delay and trouble to be worth. I"
He looked at me curiously. Mock
cry shone In his eyes.
Il have q counter-proposition to
make, and for the good OF your soul.
My mates gone, and there1l be lot
| of promotion. A sailor comes aft to
take mates place. cabin-boy goes for
ard to take sailors place, and you
toke the cabin-boy's place, sign the ar
ticles for the cruise. twenty dollars
per month and found. Now what do
you say? And. mind you, it's for your
own souls sake. n will be the max
ing OF you. You might learn in time
to stand on your own legs and perhaps
to toddle along BIT"
i But took no notice. The sails Of
the vessel had seen on to the south
west had grown larger and palmer,
r-r - ~r~~~ - - ~osvan orbAoxoor III