Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-12-05

matches. The ships dry as a bone !;
have had the well sounded every three
hours"
"And what about the crew."
Just so, so; a crimp brought them
aboard drunk, an we were not at sea
long enough for the mates to whip
them into shape when this thing hap
pened. I'm no deck officer, Mr.. Hollis,
and they don't take orders from me
very well. l call 'em a id hard
lot"
l made no comment, endeavoring to
turn all these facts over in my mind,
and reach some decision. 1t was evil
dent enough what was wanted, and
how could best serve but would they
be satisfied with the offer which felt
willing to make? 1t was far from my
desire to assume command of the In
dian Chief, and guide her destinies on
long outward voyage, to whatever
port her cargo had been consigned.
What that port was made slight diff
ference, for my whole desire was to
return as quickly as possible to New
York. l would, however, assume tenn
porary command, and consent to navi-
gate the vessel to the nearest Ameri-
can port, where competent skipper
might be procured, and new crew OBJ
tanned. The Indian Chief possessed no
wireless outfit, and whatever did
must be on my Cwn judgment. These
considerations flashed swiftly through
my mind, and l attained decision be-
fore Masters again spoke. l would
navigate the boat to the nearest port
ON the American coast, notify the own
ers, and then leave them to do as they
pleased with vessel and crew. l cared
nothing for the salvage; the presence
of the disabled steamer in these wa
tiers had saved our lives. which was
reward enough surely. All cared for
was to get myself and the young lady
safe ashore. My thought was inter-
rupted by the sound of Masters voice.
1T sorter seemed to me, Mr.. Hol-
lis" he was saying, that maybe it
would be best for me to explain these
things before you went into the cabin.
You'll naturally want to know Just the
condition before you decide what to
do" 49,
II have decided, Masters" I an
swered briefly. ''There is only one
thing l can do legally, and that is
navigate the Indian Chief to the near
est American port, and surrender her
to her owners. AS licensed captain
Of steam l have authority to assume
command to this extent, but no more"
II reckoned you would look at it
that way, sir. I'm no sea lawyer, but
l sorter figured it out about as you
do. But that amt the situation ex-
actly."
"What isn'tT
"Why, this owner business, sir. You
see, the owner Of the Indian Chief, an
every pound O. cargo below matches, is
on board here"
1.-THE owner Is on boardl''
That's the gospel truth; that's why
I took the trouble to keep you here,
and tell you what I have, before you
went down and met him, sir. 1t gives
you chance to think out your best
"But if the man is aboard, why did
he not appear on deck to give US well
come? Surely our arrival must have
been of ipterest?'
Likely as not he hasn't even heard
yet that you are aboard. You see,
his cabin is on the starboard side
astern, and he would see nothing from
them ports. Besides, Mr.. Hollis, he
Is lame, and it is a bit hard for him
to get around on ship without help.
What do you say, sir? Shall we 60
down now, an talk 1t over below?"
1.-The sooner the BETTER" said, with
4 glance over the port rail. 1.-THE fog
IS thickening out yonder, and we may
have a rough night. Tine steamer |
would ride heavy sea better with |
some more of that rifle overheard"