The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-12-14
CHAPTER XVII

not have known any especial change
had taken place on board the ship
Outwardly everything appeared ahout
as usual as l emerged behind Liver
pool, with McCann trailing behind. The
latter paused to insert the key into the
lock of the door, and l INDUCED in one
swift glance about the apartment.
"Bascom occupies his own state
room?"
Liverpool nodded ungracIously
enough.
"And Miss Darlington retains hers 2"
"We are not here to be interviewed,
Hollis" broke in McCann sharply. "Go
along on deck, and keep your tongue
to yourself"
Realizing that silence was my best
weapon. l made no response, but
climbed the stairs. The decks were
clean-had evidently been scrubbed
that morning, and nowhere could ]
perceive any signs that the ship was
In the hands of mutineers. Liverpool
gripped my shoulder.
up the ladder with you" he or
dered. There's too little time left for
gaping about here"
There were two men at the wheel.
although one could have attended to
the service, as the ship was at half
speed, and the sea far from heavy. ]
recognized both faces, hut couldn't re-
call their names the shorter fellow,
deeply pitt"d, exhibited fresh scar
where | had struck him with my boot.
heel the night before. He grinncd good.
81. a
flesh, as | caught his eye. White was
evidently the temporary officer in
charge, and the brutality OF his face
was clearly revealed in the bright light
as ne leaned against the rail. How.
ever, had scarcely time to more than
glance about, as the sun was already
al the zenith. The others stood around
silent, watching as l figured out our
position on the back of an old enve-
lope. l took my time at 1t. not only
from my own anxiety to be accurate,
but also because Of other thoughts in
my mind, yet the calculation was com
pleted at last, and / lifted my eyes
to McCann's gaze.
"Well?" he said.
i gave him the figures
You are sure this is correct?"
AS sure as l can be; the chronom-
eter hasn't been corrected since the
ship left Baltimore; except for pos
sible variations on that account, the
figures are right. Spread out the chart,
and I'll show you where we are within
ten miles. When did you furl the
sailsT
After we started up the engines
again; while we had all hands on
deck"
We'll" / announced, after mo-
ment Of measuring, that would tally
pretty close with the figuring. Our
present position is just about here,
where / put the red cross"
Mccain took the cOmpasses from my
hand, and began to measure distances.
1.-Two hundred and ten miles to the
northern extremity OF Newfoundland
is that it?
"a trifie more, 1 should say"
This Is st. Johns here; what south
Ing does that give?"
"Over two hundred"
He studied the map few moments
longer, the three men talking earnest
ly while ! left them. and walked over
to the Starboard rail. 1t was Of no
particular interest to me where they
decided to gO-the one port meant the
same 70 me as another. Mccain got
up, rolling the chart in his hand.
There is no use, then" he called,
"of our going farther northT
turned and faced him.
"Not If your port is st. Johns; the
course would be sou'-sou'wcst. Is
there anything more wanted OF me at
PRESENT."
Mccain turned and spoke TO the
others, both answering him in low
tones.
''No," he said stifiy. 'We will send
for you If you are needed again on
deck"
IL am expected to keep below?"
Below, and to your stateroom. If
you attempt to converse with any OF
the crew, you Will be locked in"
/ passed them without a word, and
clambered down the ladder to the main
deck, aware OF the grinning faces OF
the men at the wheel Humiliating as
the situation was, this was no time for
resistance, or the exhibiting of a spirit
Of revolt. White crossed over to the
rail and watched until / vanished with
In the companion. I realized his pres
ence without so much as glancing up.
There came to me, as paused at the
foot OF the stairs, sudden eagerness
TO speak to Vera, to explain to her the