Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-30
CON TR ABAND
A Romance Of the North Atlantic
By RANDALL PARRISH

down for supper You will take the deck
and It will be better TO have another hand
aft here at the wheel"
Very well. sir"
waited until he clambered heavily up |
the ladder and Joined me. his huge hgure |
outlined against the CLEAN Of the binnacle |
light
Wind seems TO he rising SIR lie said, !
lifting one hand to feel its weight, and |
has shifted into the nor'west"
Yes. the glass promises us storm, ana
7 look for dirty night. How are matters
progressing forward"
Most Of the heavy stuff Is overheard.
sir, aud there is room now to get around"
We'll put the men at tho JOB again
after they've eaten: there is nothing like
clean deck on a stormy night"
Right enough sir. and the beggars are
better kept at work"
II was pleased TO see the way in which
they took hold, Mr.. Leayord," said quietly,
and that Olson set them so good an ex-
ample"
lie crossed over to the rail and came
back wipng his lips on his sleeve
"Olson is good man. Mr.. Hollis; you
| made no mistake when YOU chose him for
second officer, but l never saw worse
| bunch of sea scum in any focastle than
we've got aboard here, sir"
| They took hold all right"
| Aye, for the once they're bit dazed
yet. an have had no time 70 talk II over
| among themselves, Besides. there are sail
| ors enough among them who know that that
| rifle had TO be cleaned away whatever port
| they sailed for"
Wen hear from them later on, you
| think"
| Tomorrow. sir. or perhaps tonight as
soon as they learn for sure the course we're
| steering The Niger will tell them that
when his trick Is up, an then the rumpus
is likely to begin. They are dead get
against Hamburg"
why Hamburg. Mr.. Leayord?"
We'll. sir. don't just know myself, for
| I was the bosun, and the lads never talked
to me very freely. I thought would aues-
tion Olson a bit as soon as got him alone.
| 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 damn
| war breakin' out. don't know the buffers
| name, sir; hut hear he claims to be a mil
ionaire, an is wilin' ter spend lot O. coin
| just to be took back ter New York. Cookies
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 | you. sir I'd have talk
with Olson when he comes on deck again
| He'll tell you morn | can.
II will Mr. Leayord and then I'll attend
to this fellow McCann. I've got his num-
ber already; that black eye he's carrying
| about | gave him In the boat
| I.eayord chucked.
| 80 | heard sir; 'tant the kind o. treat
ment Il millionaire is likely to ferget but
| guess it wasn't a lick amiss at that"
/ stood silent moment, starting out into
the black void.
II presume, Mr. Jeayord, can confident
~ rely on your loyalty in case trouble
dcveops?"
You sure can. sir
| "And Olson?"
"He'I face it like a man; and although
Masters is "A bit OF a fool, I'm guessing he
can he counted on in a pinch"
Are there any others?'
That's hard to say, sir, off hand, I
haven't been shipmates with them, or with
any o. this crew long enough yet to size
'em up. but there are few men forward
who don't Chum none with Liverpools
| crowd. Olson would know 'em better than IT,
| We'll 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
"Yes. sir, and the course?'
"Nor'east by east. There has been no OBJ
servation taken for three days, Masters
tells me. but that ought TO keep us outside
| the regular steamer lines Hat-speed ana
| a good lookout forward -
In spite Of its general dinginess of paint
| and furnishings, the main cabin had look
of coziness and comfort as / entered from
tho black gloom of the decks. The table
had been set for four. the swinging light
| above cleaning over n white table cloth,
| and an abundance of food Bascom and
| Miss Vera occupied seats on one side, while
Olson, washed and brushed into state of
| rare discomfort, sat alone opposite. NO
doubt the fellow would have greatly pre-
ferred being forward, and was so embar-
rassed as to scarcely glance up at my en-
| trance slim, narrow -chested man. his
| weak mouth partially concealed by strag-
Cling moustache. and who answered TO the
| name of Dade, acted as steward; but the
| boy Noon was doing most of the work.
| ] drew out the single vacant chair ana sat
| down.
.WelL" I said pleasantly, breaking the
rather awkward silence. II do not exactly
know where we are going, but We are on
our way"
Olsons eyes wandered to the teltale
compass overhead but his mouth was full
| and he made no attempt TO speak. Bascom
, glanced from the girls face across at me
inqulringly.
you have chosen our course them Mr.,
, Hollis?" he asked,
, "JJardly; at least only for temporary
purposes Yes, milk and sugar, Dade-one
! ia enough You see have no observations
vet and I must find what charts are left
on board. Remain after supper, Mr.. Olson,
: and we will examine Captain Hadleys
stateroom together
"Yes, SIR" he mumbled gruffiy,
: "But surely we are under way" Bascom
insisted
| east which should take us out OF the usual
) course of ships In these seas. BY tomorrow
| noon hope to know our exact position. and
/ also the disposition of the crew."
/ .'The sea is rising, Judge"
'.rhere is every promise of rough night
= hut nothing to worry over. Dade, why did
Won set the table only for four? There Is
another passenger aboardT
.IIa has refused to mess aft, sir"