Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-10-04

|
won't drive her any faster than the
petrol ones. It's like running a loco
motive on greasy rails
It's plankton," answered Donald.
Marine organisms, you know"
He was standing beside Davies in
the coming tower. Ida had been
taken below and placed in Donald's
cabin. She had been hardly conscious
since her rescue; she was too numbed
from exposure to realize what had
occurred, and she had fallen asleep
Immediately.
At Fair island, which was an unin-
terrupted, cavernous rock, Donald ex-
his stores were to be replenished.
Then he was to patrol the northern
area of the North sea with the aid of
the airplane. A stock of supplies in
the shape of food was also expected
at the island
But now Donald was wondering
whether it was not his duty to return
TO the mainland to report the destruc-
ton of the enemy cruiser. Of course
the officers of the Flying corps who
would be with the airplane could IN
dertake this duty. But then there vas
Ida. And there was the swarm Of
devil men that had appeared.
How could lie tell the navy depart
ment of this without being relieved of
his command? But how could he fail
TO tell them?
Donald looked keenly at Davies.
He was d nice little chap, disciplined,
clean, alert, the beau-ideaI of a naval
officer in embryo. What he liked best
about the little MILDLY was his resOlu-
ton; he knew that Davies would
never hesitate to take responsibility
whenever he thought his duty required
a prompt decision.
Donald could have no better conf
dant. And he needed one as sorely as
Masterman had done.
Davies" he said, I'm going to tell
you something. It's not the engines,
but it isn't altogether the water Ell
Their. The plankton wouldn't stop Us.
And it's too fine to clog the machin-
cry Something is trying to push US
back, Davies"
Il beg your pardon, sir?'
Il was warned about it before I
left New York" continued Donald.
"What I'm going to tell you will
sound incredible, but it happens to
be true. You know, Davies, our an
cestOrs were marine creatures?"
II thought they were monkeys, sir.
At least, long time ago"
Long before they were monkeys,
Davies. At least, they first lived in
the sea. And we became monkeys
afterward, and then men,"
yes, sir. L was going to say that
the electric engines show signs of de-
veIOping-"
"One moment, please, Davies.
There's another swarm of deep-sea
men coming to Oyerrun the earth.
Masterman told me-yOu've heard of
Masterman, the marine explorer? He
told me he'd seen them-nO, felt
them-before he died. l felt them to-
day. They attacked and upset US"
Excuse me, sir" said Davies, "but
wouldn't you like 20 lie down? | can
take the F55 to the island, sir, and
Wen call you when we are at anchor"
please listen to me, Davies. They
are invisible, these monsters, all ex-
cept the eyes, which look like cur
rants. When they die the albuminous
parts of the body harden, producing
a milky opacity. They look then some
thing like hairless monsters. And
they're trying to stop the submarine
from making Fair island, just as they
tried to draw the boat there. They"
He broke off, nonplused by the
middy's polite, respectful stare. Don
aid had not imagined that the story
would sound so grOtesque. He hardly
believed now that lie could make Da-
vies realize it's truth.
I'm sorry to hear about them, sir"
said Davies. "What do you wish me
to do?"
keep the matches closed" said Don
add I'VE are taking a risk not sub
merging, but we have got to make
Fair island. If they get aboard, it will
be a fight to the death. Happily, it
isn't hard to kill them, only we can't
see them. They are quite invisible, re-
member. l killed two Of them. Better
serve out cutlasses-
I'VE won't stand for any nonsense
| from them, SIR answered the MILDLY.
Excuse me, sir while ! call Ci0uts
to take the lookout" He moved
toward the entrance.
In q few moments SAM ClOuts came
in He saluted, but Instead of taking
his post at the observation port, he
| remained standing in front of Donald.
"WouIdn't you like to lie down be-
low, sir?" he asked.
whats that?" demanded Donald.
"What do you mean, Clouts?"
Excuse me, sir, but l think a rest
would do you good said the sailor.
Get to your pOst!' said Donald
sharply.
But, really, sir"
is this characterization, CloutsT
"No, sir. But it would be best for
you to rest, sir" persisted Clouts.
Davies reappeared at the door.
Hes quite right, sir" he said
Hes acting under my orders. You
need to rest for a while
Donald suddenly began to under