Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-10-06
.What were You thinking about 20
earnestly? You actually forgot me-"
I glanced aside into her eyes.

"What were You thinking ABOUT x
earnestly? You actually forgot me-
I glanced aside into her eyes.
"Not guilty, Miss Vera; ! was think
Ing of you, and of how could get YOU
safely out Of this scrape. ] do not say
this to brighten you, Miss Vera. only
perhaps 1t is best for you to know the
situation. The first thing necessary
on this voyage Is to show those fellows
forward who Is master aboard. But
we've talked about 1t long enough now
do not anticipate any locking OF horns
tonight for those lads will need to dis
cuss plans among themselves first
Bascom Will be waiting for you in the
cabin, and I will join You presently
walked with her as far as the lad
der, and watched until she disappeared
Forward I could perceive little outside
the glow of the lanterns in the radius
of which black, grotesque figures con.
stantly passed and repnssed. Occasion
ally voice sang out some command,
the words scarcely distinguishable.
"A1r. Leayord!" I sang out.
AYE, aye, sir"
LET the men knock of work for the
present, and send the second mates
watch down for supper. You will take
the deck, and it will be better to have
another hand aft here at the wheel"
Every well, sir"
I waited until he clambered heavily
up the ladder and joined me, his huge
figure outlined against the CLEAN of
the pinnacle light
II was pleased to see the way in
which the crew took hold, Mr.. Lea
yord," l said quietly, ''and that Olson
set them so good an example"
lie crossed over to the rail and came
back wiping his lips on his sleeve.
"Olson is good man, Mr.. Hollis;
you made no mistake when you chose
him for second officer, but never saw
a worse bunch Of sea scum in any TO-
castle than we've got aboard here, sir"
''They took hold, all right"
"Aye, for the once; they're a bit
dazed yet, an have had no time to talk
it over among themselves"
"Well hear from them later, you
think?"
Tomorrow, sir, or perhaps to-
night, as soon as they learn for sure
the course we're steering. They are
dead set against Hamburg"
"Why Hamburg, Mr.. Leayord?"
"Well, sir, I don't just know myself,
for was the bosun. and the lads never
talked to me very freely. From all I've
heard, however, it's largely caused by
what that fat bloke yer brought aboard
with yer had to say about this dirty
war breakin' out. don't know the
buffers name, sir; but / hear he claims
to be millionaire, an Is willin' ter
spend lot O. coin, just to be took
back ter New York. Cookie told me
that he and the guy that goes by the
name Of Liverpool had quite a talk"
Liverpool Red-yes, I've heard Of
him; he's the mems leader forward"
Likely SO; but there's others Of
the same kidney. If was you. sir,
I'd have a talk with Olson when he
come on deck again. He'll tell you
more'n 1 can"
I stood silent moment, staring out
into the black void.
II presume, Mr.. Leayord, can con-
fdently rely on your loyalty In case
trouble DEVELOPER
"You sure can, sir"
"And Olson?"
Hell face it like man; and al
though Masters Is bit Of fool. I'm
guessing he can be counted on in 4
pinch"
"Are there any othersT
That's hard TO say, sir, offhand. I
haven't been shipmates with them, or
with any o. this crew long enough yet
to size 'em up; but there are a few
men forward who don't chum none
with Liverpools crowd. Olson would
know 'em better than ]"
well, the sooner we learn exactly
how we stand in this matter the better.
I'll relieve you as soon as I have
bite to eat"
In spite of it's general dinginess Of
paint and furnishings, the main cabin
had look Of coziness and comfort as
I entered from the black gloom Of the
decks. Bascom and Miss Vera occu-
pied seats on one side, while Olson,
washed and brushed into state of
rare discomfort. sat alone opposite. A
slim, narrow-chested man, his weak
mouth partially concealed by stray
Cling mustache, and who answered to
the name of Dade, acted as steward,
but the boy. Moon, was doing most OF
the work. I drew out the single va
cant mir and sat down
"u-..li ~ --;a .>lnnsantlv h-enk!c q
the rather awkward silence, Il do not
exactly know where we are going, but
we are On our way"
"The sea Is rising, judge" re-
marked Bascom.
There Is every promise Of rough
night, but nothing to worry oyer. Dade,
why did you set the table only for
four? There is another passenger
aboard"
HE has refused to mess aft, sir"
"Oh, he has! Well, possibly. I may
have something to say as to that. Did
be give any reason"
Dade endearored to hide grin. "Not