The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-08-21
Ill PARRISH
COoR/CW /
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Or 81 .nr LADY Of AeNoRTH." f1A0 4fM. FoRE3I" ETC

Of maritime law, you would be justly
entitled to high compensation for thus
saving both ship and cargo. had in
tended Offering you-at least that was
my first thought--the. sum of three
|, hundred month to take command, the
contract to remain in force after the
conclusion of this voyage, If you SO de-
sired. This you will not consider7 The
money argument has no weiglt| :.
smiled, but shook my head
"Then there is nothing left me, ex
cept to appeal to your humanity" he
went on. leaning forEnrd, his eyes on
mine. "You belong, I suspect, to my
class, and I can give you my conf
dence, trust you with my secret. Il
this not true?"
II hope I am worthy of such faith"
I answered wonderingly, as he paused.
II repose that faith In you. and ask
you to face this situation from my
standpoint. am the sole owner of
the Indian Chief, and also Of her cargo.
Every dollar l possess on this earth is
tre1 up On board tliis ve:;asel:, TIL !. !:
why I sailed as supercargO; dare
not trust the venture to anyone else
Under the matches have cargo val
ued at nearly half million dollars
1t was purchased and shipped on the
strength of a contract signed by
high official of one Of the European
governments, yet the responsibility of
payment rests upon myself and a few
intimate friends. If the Indian Chief
safely discharges this cargo, within a
designated time, Mt a certain port, or
contingent thereto, I shall make for
tune, and retain my honor as a mer'
chant. If not, then am ruined man,
Mr.. Hollis, and my reputation is gone
Also" -
"What port7" =
"Hamburg."
I leaned forward, deeply interested
by now in his unusual story.
'Then I presume your cargo is large
" munitions Of WARP"
"Of that nature-yes." +
"From what port did you sail?''' =
baltimore, July Goth; We were held
back within the capes for two days
by a severe storm"
"Then you have not heard Of the
declarations of war in; Europe?"
His eyes widened, his pale face
grew whittier than ever. \ 49,.
"War in Europe; already declared"
he exclaimed. us that actually true1
We carry no&Mireless, and have spoken
with no vessel since we left the Chesa-
peake. What nations are at WARP" g
'"The last message we received on
the Esmeralda was that Germany and
Austria were already pitted against
France, Russia and England. The Ger
man troops had invaded Belgium in IN
effort to reach Paris. The night before
our accident great British battleship,
racing toward New York, passed us.
She was under orders to bottle up the
German liners. May I see your mani.
fest p.
He, took the list from an inner
drawer, and handed 1t over to me with.
out word, evidently stunned by this
unexpected news, and unable to speak.
l turned the typewriter pages slowly,
glancing quietly over the various items.
They were astounding.
"Why, really, can hardly credit my
own eyes," I exclaimed. "You tell me
these goods were actually contracted
for by the German government agent
In the open markct?" ~.
%"'Not exactly in the open market, Mr..
Hollis. 1t was all accomplished In my
name; I alone am known, in the trans
action. Certain intimate personal
relations won me, the contract, my
mother being relative Of high off,
cial. The negotiations were conducted
secretly" ,i a
II should suppose SO; yet such ,pur-
chases would look as though war had
been anticipated" .Ly.. t>..
arose to my feet, walked across to
the port, and stared out into the thick
ening mist overhanging the water. The
man did not move or speak, and ]
turned again to nnd him With head
buried in his arms on the desk. His
attitude Of complete despair was full
Of pathetic appeal. 4 So, a
II am no International lawyer" I
said gravely. "but. there is scarcely an
item on that manifest which is mot
contraband Of war. The getting of this
cargo into Hamburg, or any .other port
of Germany now, will be almost I'M
possible mere gamblers chance.
English, and French vessels are mo
doubt gathering alopss ..io coast Ike
birds Of prey" ..r.a
.:fe German navy Is strong"
Eyes; but not strong enough to cope
with both Great Britain and France.
For while, however, they may sue
coed in keeping open passage through
the. North sea. That would be your
only hope, for the English channel will
be closed already. The Indian Chief
sails under the United States flagT'
"Yes." e.i 81 81,
"That might prevent a search, pro-
>viding you had a good explanation
ready, especially as you left port be-
fore war was (leclarod Hnwovor srioa