The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-11-27
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1T is all right, Mr.. Olson" / an
swered, speaking quietly. "I'll explain
later. Open the door, McCann, and 20
straight down."
He must have realized the utter fu-
tility of resistance, for he never even
turned his head, marching before me
down the stairs, and across the de-
serted cabin. / threw open the door
next to Bascom's stateroom, switched
on the light, and glanced within, keep
ing my grasp hard on McCann's arm.
His eyes met mine, black with
towards hatred.
by God II you wasn't armed"
swung him about in sudden disgust,
flinging him forward, and he fell
sprawling on the deck, overturning the
stool. The next instant / had closeu
the door and locked 1T, dropping the
key into my jacket pocket. There had
been little noise, scarcely enough to-
arouse the sleepers below, and it was
with feeling of decided relief, that
I returned to the open deck.
climbed the ladder, joining Olson
at the port rail. Two men were at
the wheel, which Ducked sufficiently
to keep them busy.
"You are off a couple of points, lads"
l said. Cant you hold her any
closer?"
"Not ".ie way the sea is running,
sir" answered a voice l recognized as
Simms', unless we raise u bit moro
jio, ard the mate thought 1t best NOT
to risk the canvas
Right, no doubt, but hold her down
the best you can"
AYE, aye, sir"
The response was cheerful enough,
and l crossed the deck to where Olson
stood, in somewhat better frame of
mind.
You are not exactly holding to the
course, Mr.. Olson" said. but not un-
kindly, land Simms tells me YOU
thought it best not to shake out an
other reef in the jib."
1T would only strain the old hooker
to buck these seas. sir he replied,
"and as you had no observation. |
hardly thought point or two would
make much difference"
Nor does it: only | prefer to be
IT.
You must have had some other rea-
SOM"
He glanced about to make sure of
our distance from the men at the
wheel
well, in way I suppose did, sir"
he admitted slowly. 1.-THE watch for
ward is sullen, an had no desire to
stir them up unless there was some
real need. It's Liverpool's turn on
deck, Mr.. Hollis, an he an 1 never was
no friends. If was to give an order,
and then had to go forward to make
'em hold, 1t might start up quite
row, sir"
quite sensible decision. It may
interest you to know that have Just
cut Liverpool's claws-his friend Nc
Cam is below, safely locked up"
Exactly, sir. That was what oc-
Cured on the main deck just now? He
was very quiet about 1t, sir. Is 1t
true what I hear that he is q real New
York millionaire? And you are not a
real sailor, Mr.. Hollis, but Just q
yachtsman?"
"Has McCann been circulating that
yarn forward?"
"He has, sir. Simms just told me
the story at the wheel"
"Well, then, listen to me, Mr.. Olson,
and then see to 1T that the word gets
to the crew. was member of
yachting party when we suffered ship
wreck, but I'm no yachtsman. I've
served before the mast, Mr.. Olson, and
won every grade up to a captaincy in
the old Atlas line. know the sea and
It's way from forecastle to after cabin.
and any time those lads forward there
want to take my measure, the chance
is wide open. You understand"
81 do, sir" and I thought there was
more respect in the tone.
Good; there will be no trouble to-
night7"
81 think not, sir; but by morning
they will begin to wonder what has
become of this man Mccain, and may
grow ugly"
( eve can handle them by daylight.
1t Is darkness which gives them an
advantage. I'll return to the main
deck. Mr.. Olson, and leave you In
charge here"