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

are everywhere, and the nature of the
cargo aboard may be known. If so,
every cruiser on watch has already
been notified by wireless"
He arose to his feet facing me, his
slender hands opening and closing
nervously, his face white and drawn.
II realize all this, Captain Hollis"
he said, his voice trembling. land also
that there still remains II chance OF
success. l like your face, your man
ner of fronting things. l think you are
the very man whom God has sent TO
me in this emergency. Listen: l tell
you 1 am absolutely ruined unless
l complete this voyage. l am young
man, not over thirty, but my health Is
gone. You can see l am practically a
physical wreck. yet am the only sup
port of an aged mother and three
younger children. Two years ago no
one had brighter prospects In life than
l; now l am struggling desperately for
mere existence. A little more than
year ago met with a serious accident;
l need not 60 into details-the result
you can see by looking at me. For
eight months 1 was in a hospital In
New York, lingering between life and
death. There was no one to attend to
my business affairs, and everything
went to the dogs. When l got out
again all that was left me was this
vessel, a reputation for business abil-
ity, and few thousand dollars. This
contract came to me as godsend; IL
was so arranged that l was able to
carry 1t with a little help. II success
full, it will put me on my feet again.
"You are not German"
mot a drop of Teuton blood Is in my
veins, so far as / know. l never
dreamed of the possibility Of war, or
even asked the nature of the ship
ments."
81 understand. OF course it makes
little difference where ones sympa.
thies chance to be in case like this"
1 put my hand on his shoulder, and
looked into his eyes. you have been
perfectly frank with me; now am
believe your story, and my whole
inclination Is to stand by and helr
you through"
"You Wilt" he interrupted eagerly.
his eyes glowing. you mean you are
going to make the attempt?"
mo, didn't say that, my friend
only that such Is my natural inclina
ton. If there was only my own peril
my own time, to be considered woult
shake hands with you instantly, an<
accept the adventure. But there
another ON board this ship to be con
sidered-a woman, whose comfort ant
wishes l cannot ignore"
"But she could be transshipped
(Which would at once reveal oui
whereabouts and probable course. Any
vessel speaking us would make report
as soon as 1t reached harbOr. Our
only safe method of procedure will be
to keep far enough away from any
passing vessel during daylight to
escape recognition, and to run the main
European routes by night. If we so
much as speak a ship, 1t will double
our peril Of capture; the wireless Is
our greatest enemy"
."Then what Is 1t you propose doingT'
"Just this: I'll go out now and talk
with the lady. I'll explain the whole
situation to her fully, so that she
will understand every detail"
"But is this fair to me?"
Eyes, perfectly fair. She Is no weak
nerved creature to be awed by peril.
She is a healthy. sensible girl, ready
to do her part anywhere; her sympa-
thy will all be with you. Anyway, l
shall leave the affair entirely to her
decision. I'll give you my answer In
thirty minutes"
As I closed the door and stood out
side in the main cabin, 1t suddenly oc.
Cured to me that l did not know the
mans name. Masters had not men,
toned it; l had not asked, nor did
recall noticing the signature on the
manifest.