The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-11-13
6IRANDAI1 PARRISH
" etAenoRTH- riAIo etM- foeE3I" ETC.

Sii' anu "ithout mentioning pay, L VIII
agree to take command of the Indian
Chief, and sail her to the nearest
American port, where you can procure
officers, and, If necessary, a new crew."
! He sat silent, one white hand crum-
pling paper on the desk, his forehead
creased, the lines of his face showing
clearly. He appeared to hesitate, un-
certain how best to answer me.
IL certainly appreciate your Of
Ter, captain Hollis. 1t is a most lib
eral one, because, If know anything
OF maritime law, you would be Justly
entitled to high compensation for thus
saving both ship and cargo. 1 had in
tended Offering you-at least that was
my first thought-the sum Of three
hundred month to take command, the
contract to remain in force after the
conclusion of this voyage, If you so de-
sired. This you will not consider? The
money argument has no weightT
smiled, but shook my head.
"Then there is nothing left me, ex-
cept to appeal to your humanity" he
went on, leaning forward, his eyes on
mine. "You belong, I suspect, to my
class, and I can give you my conf
dence, trust you with my secret. Is
this not true2"
II hope l am worthy of such faith" :"
1 answered wonderlngly, as he paused.
II repose that faith in you, and ask
you to face this situation from nv
standpoint. / am the sole owner Of
the Indian Chief, and also of her cargo.
Every dollar l possess on this earth Is
tied up on board this vessel. That is
why l sailed as supercargo; 1 dare
not trust the venture to anyone else.
Under the matches l have a cargo val
ued at nearly half million dollars
1t was purchased and shipped on the
strength of a contract signed by n
high official of one of the European
governments, yet the responsibility OF
payment rests upon myself and few
intimate friends. If the Indian Chief
safely discharges this cargo, within n
designated time, at certain port. or
contingent thereto, / shall make for
tune, and retain my honor as a mer-
chant. If not, then / am ruined man
Air. Hollis, and my reputation Is gone
Also"
"What port?"
Hamburg"
L leaned forward, deeply interested
by now In his unusual story.
"Then presume your cargo is large
ly munitions of WARP"
"Of that nature-yes."
From what port did you sail?"
baltimore, July Goth; we were held
back within the capes for two days
by severe storm"
"Then you have not heard of the
declarations of war In Europe?"
His eyes widened, his pale face
grew whittier than ever.
"War in Europe; already declared ~
he exclaimed. as that actually true?
We carry no wireless, and have spoken
with no vessel since we left the Chesa-
peake. What nations are at warp
THE last message we received on
the Esmeralda was that Germany and
Austria were already pitted against
France, Russia and England. The Ger
man troops had invaded Belgium I'm an
effort to reach Paris. The night before
our accident great British battleship.
racing toward New York, passed us.
She was under orders to bottle up the
German liners. May see your mani
fest"
He took the list from an inner
drawer, and handed II over TO me with
out word, evidently stunned by this
unexpected news, and unable to speak.
turned the typewriter pages slowly,
glancing quietly over the various items.
They were astounding.
"Why, really, can hardly credit nv
own eyes" l exclaimed. "You tell me
these goods were actually contracted
for by the German government agent
in the open market?"
mot exactly In the open market, Mr..
Hollis. 1t was all accomplished in my
name; alone am known I'm the trans
action. Certain intimate personal
relations won me the contract, my
mother being a relative of a high off,
cial. The negotiations were conducted
secretly"
81 should suppose so; yet such pur-
chases would look as though war had
been anticipated"
arose to my feet, walked across to
che port, and stared out into the thick
ening mist overhanging the water. The
man did not move or speak, and