Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14
CHAPTER II
A Woman on Board

T BELIEVE / was among theAfrst to
i leave the table and return outside, and
as my inclination was to remain alone and
enjoy the calm of the night, / ventured
forth along the deserted deck, until l found
fancied security from observation in the
shadow of small boat. The others, as
they emerged later from the companion,
outlined a moment against the light, turned
once again aft and resumed their old places
l could hear the murmur of their voices
and the chink of poker chips, but was con-
tent myself to lean above the rail and
stare out across the dark waters. 1t was
a STILL starry night. with here and there a
Pickering distant light visible. The sea had
gone down somewhat and the wind was no
longer strong.
Apparently we were considerably further
off shore. and the flashing of a red and
white beacon far away to the right gave
me some knowledge of our position-of
Eaton's Point. BY dawn then we should
be breasting the long swels of the broad
Atlantic. The old love Of the sea came
back as 1 breathed in gratefully once more
the salt air. and stared out over the
black water The rumbling of the screw,
the trembling of the deck underfoot, the
splash Of waves alongside, were old, famil-
lar music. 1 was indeed glad to be there !;
to dream Of the long, delightful voyage
ahead, and drink in once more the fascinat.
ing mystery of the sea.
know not how long stood there smok-
ing and dreaming Of the past; once I
crossed over to port, watching a great
Sound steamer glide silently past us, every
opening a blaze of light, her decks, crowded
with people and once we barely escaped
collision with a little fishing smack, flying
before the wind for some Long Island
haven, with not even lantern strung at
her masthead. heard the sharp cry Of
the officer on our bridge. and leaned over
to catch a glimpse Of frightened faces peer
ing upward at me, as the little craft went
tearing past, as instantly lost in the smother
astern. The incident gave me thrill such
as i had not experienced in years, and
could understand the injured feelings of
the mate as he leaned far out over the
bridge rail- and cursed into the black night
Nothing else occurred however to break
the monotony. and finally worrying of 1t
all. went below, being in no mind to join
at games with the others. l met Car
rington at the companion. where we ex-
changed few words, mine largely in ex-
cuse for retiring so early Even as
rested on my bed, McCann's high-pitched
voice reached me through the open port
with an occasional burst of laughter. Never
theess l was soon asleep.
SHIP STOPS
Some dormant sense of seamanship
aroused to new life perhaps by my brief
watch on deck, must nave awakened me.
For sat straight up in bed. conscious that
the vessels motion had ceased All was
silent; no jar shook the keel, no footsteps
sounded on the deck above. / switched on
the electric light. and glanced at my watch !;
it was slightly after midnight. Through
the open port nothing was visible but the
dark waters and the far-on gleam Of
light, altering in flashes of white did
not know enough of this coast line to
identify the signal, yet it was plainly evil
dent we were some distance from land
why the Esmeralda had stopped her
engines was no special concern of mine, and
/ lay down again. But sleep would not
return. / tossed and turned. and finally
arising in sheer desperation hastily donned
nv clothes. The after cabin was deserted
dimly lighted by one shaded electric globe.
beneath which the brass stair-rails shone
dully. / emerged on to the deck grate-
fully breathing In the fresh night air. At
frst l could perceive no signs Of the watch
on duty not moving figure was visible
and / crossed over to. the port rail to
obtain a better view forward. A ] stood
there. Z man descended the lad1er from the
hrIdGe, 1nfersd the char -