American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-11-09

Vera, to take this ship to Hamburg if
1t was possible to get there"
"And there is no other way Of saving
the investment In this vessel and
cargo?"
II know of none"
"Then we must go on, must we not7
IL hope you will, Captain Hollis"
Before / could stop her, or add an
other word, she was gone. and 1 was
apparently alone on deck.
l remained on deck the greater part
of the night, but nothing of an alarm
ing nature took place. The crew re-
manned quiet, and the watch on duty
obeyed orders promptly enough to
give those of us aft a new feeling of
confidence.
The sky cleared, although the wind
remained fresh and the sea heavy
enough to keep two men at the wheel.
The Indian Chief made good weather
of II, however, and 1 possessed faith
In Leayord's s~eamanship. For an hour.
perhaps, | loltered about on deck, but
all remained Sc quiet that finally, with
a word to the mate to have me called
at the slightest sign of need, l went be-
low, and turned in.
did not remove my clothes, and the
new day was barely reddening the east
when l was aroused by a trampling of
feet on the deck overhead. There was
no call, and l was sailor enough to
comprehend what was going on above
the watch was about to be
changed, and Leayord was using all
hands in cleaning ship. The activity,
the quietly spoken orders, the low
chant of a song as the men toiled at a
rope, were evidence hat my presence
was not required, and l felt it would
please both officers to be left alone in
charge. l opened the port and looked
out a. the glorious morning. 1t was
a lonely ocean scene, yet wildly beau
tiful. Everywhere was the wild desc
lation of the sea, nothing on which the
eye could rest except the restless
waves, the constant shifting of colors.
Satisfied that no other vessel was with
in range of vision, l lay down again.
l do not recall a pleasanter meal at
sea than our breakfast that morning.
All were In excellent humor, and no
premonltion of trouble entered our
minds. The night had passed quietly,
both officers reporting the crew docile
and cheerful.
Olson was ON watch, but Masters
Joined us at table, and reported all well
In he engine room, and together we
drank a toast to a pleasant voyage, al
most convinced that before us were
only the ordinary vicissitudes of the
sea. II was not until the men left the
table that | vas reminded of our pris-
oner In the nearby stateroom.
Mr.. Bascom seldom takes any
breakfast7" l said to Dade, who was
polishing he stair rail.
mo, sir; l have orders to take him
a cup of coffee at nine o'clock"
And how about McCann?"
THE gentleman in number six, sir?
He's locked in, and l haven't the key"
That's true I'd forgotten. I'll look
in ON the man and you get his break
fast ready to serve"
| unlocked and opened the door.
Mccain was seated on the edge Of his
bunk facing me, and, il was plainly
evident at first view hat he was in no
pleasant humor.
Mccain" l said, as he failed to
speak, Tets have an understanding.
II is no desire of mine to hold you a
prisoner here for the next month. I'll
accept your pledge not to interfere
with the working of this vessel"
ION what other terms?'
THAT you stop holding communion
tons with the crew, and consider your
self a passenger until the end Of the
voyage. Give ms your word to that,
and you may have the freedom Of this
cabin. and the after deck"
what is the voyageT"
ITO Hamburg"
He laughed, and there was an ugly
sound TO it.
"Pshaw. do you think you ever will
get thereT" he asked. glaring at me,
but making no effort to rise. Are you
fool enough. Hollis, to imagine that the
English fleet will ever permit this ship
TO pass through the Channel7 Why,
your whole darn cargo. they tell me,
is c~ontraband.'
who tells your
"Never mind who. It's the truth,
isn't it7"
yes. you might as well know
mostly munitions of war, but contract
ed for months before war was de
clared. However, that's nothing to do
with your status on board. II is moth
ing 10 you. Is IL. who gets the cargo. or
where Il is finally landedi"
"It is something to me whether I'm