The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-08-27

lclOSSc. 'C0.1v1nte1 that before Us were
only the ordinary vicissitudes Of the
sea. It was not until the men left tit
table that was reminded Of our pris
Oner in the nearby stateroom.
"Mr. Bascom' seldom takes any
breakfast?" said to Dade, who was
polishing the stair rail.
mo, sir; have orders to take hin
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
'Thats 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, it was plainly
evident at first view that he was in nc
pleasant humor.
"McCann," said, as he failed to
speak, "let's have an understanding
1t is no desire Of mine to hold you q
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 communities
lions with the crew, and consider your
self a passenger until the end of the
voyage. Give me your word to that
and you may have the freedom Of this
cabin, and the after deck"
"What is the voyage?"
TO Hamburg" ,..- -..-'
He laughed, and there was an ugly
sound to it.
"Pshaw, do you think you ever will
get there?" 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 Channel? Why,
your whole darn cargo, they tell me,
Is contraband."
"Who tells you?"
"Never mind who. It's the truth,
isn't it?'
Eyes, 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. 1t is moth.
ing to you, is it, who gets the cargo, Or
where it is finally landed?"
1T is something to me whether I'm
safe in New York, or rotting in an Eng
fish, or French prison." he said sullcn-
ly. Besides, that's not all. I've got
a deal on there that means more than
a million dollars! can't afford to
drift about here on this rotten tramp"
'"The saving of this boat and cargo
means more to Bascom than your mil.
lion dollar trade does to you."
"What's Bascom's affairs to me?" he
sneered. Gle took his chances, didn't
he? You seem to think l owe the man
something. l suppose he told you, or
else the girl did, that crippled him
for life. WE'LL he deserved all he got.
I pay my debts, let me tell you, and
I've got some against you to be settled
yet. Don't preach Philip Bascom to
me. It's not for his sake you are hang
ing on here, and trying to get this ship
to Hamburg. I'm not so blind as oil
that" "'7' ""',' .''' - "a ''}'.'" e
- "What do you meal?"
"Mean! Why that is Carrington's
girl, isn't it, you and 1 pulled out Of
the yacht? Lord. I knew her when
the first streak Of daylight came, and
I saw your little game, too. There's
money enough coming to her to make
this mighty profitable voyage if you
can land her in your net before she
gets ashore again. BY God! l might
have done it myself If hadn't gone
crazy in the boat. Now all the part
there is left me to play is the VIII
lain"
did not move, or take my eyes from
him, and slowly the grin on his face
seemed to smooth out, as his sense of
humor departed. ...
"Well," he snarlcd, isn't that about
the way of it?"
IF the picture satisfies you, Mr..
McCann," l said, "you are perfectly
welcome to 1t. You've said enough to
cause me to withdraw my offer Of
parole. I will accept no pledge you
,say make"
"You intend holding me prisoner
az long rs ar. aboard?"
"You have left me no other choice"
He got to his feet angrily. swell now
see here, Hollis, I'm blamed If have
any use for you. or any Of your outfit
I wouldn't give you my word even II
you agreed to accept it. You are going
to discover before you are through with
me that Fergus Mccain Is not quite as
big fool as you take him to be. I'll
give you odds that you never take this
ship to Hamburg; I'll give you odds
you never get the girl; yes. d you!