The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-12-27

and the only thing i need to explain
Is the necessity for n change in our
sailing course. AS most of you know,
war has broken out In Europe since
this ship cleared from Baltimore. The
chances are about a hundred to one
that we would be captured, or sunk, II
we tried to reach our port through the
Channel"
"By whom" It was Liverpool who
spoke.
English or French warships."
"Its d. Dutch cargo then we've
got in the mold. That's the way fig-
ured 1t. Well. now look here, sir
Smitz is the only Dutchman aboard,
an the rest ov us don't take kindly to
that sort o. job"
you're sailormen. and shipped on
this voyage before ever war was de-
clared. Now will you listen to me un-
til get through"
"Ah, let him talk. Red" someone in
terjected.
outlined my plan in as few words
as possible, and they seemed to listen
respectfully enough, only occasionally
interjecting a question. Liverpool did
not speak ut all, nor Jim White. who
had pushed HE way forward, until 1
concluded. Then the iRttsv asked sud
denly:
"Would you mind IL couple OF us
had glance ut that chart? Maybe
we'd see 1t clearer then"
Certainly, you can all look Mt II.
Mr.. Olson, take the chart down there,
and point out the lines SO the men can
see where we are"
They crowded about, endeavoring to
gain glimpse. although probably not
half dozen among them possessed the
faintest conception of what the vari-
Gus markings signified. Liverpool and
White, however, got down on their
knees, and followed Olson's stubby
forefnger closely, as he traced the pro-
posed course. White appeared rather
the more intelligent, asking a question
or two before regaining his feet.
II was on the Labrador coast once,
where stood waiting, "but that don't
help me much 10 get this thing
straight. It's to be a north course to-
night then, so as to take us through
the steamer lane before daylight"
"Yes."
"And where would we be about day.
light tomorrow morningf"
II can only guess at that, not know
ing the exact shape our engines are In,
or the probable speed Of the ship. But
we ought to be close to fifty degrees
west and about forty degrees, twenty
minutes north, I should say"
"How far away from land?'
"One hundred and fifty miles to the
east and south Of Cape Race"
Cape Race!" broke In Liverpool.
"rve heard O. that point-it's south Of
harbor called st. Johns. Here 1t is,
marked on the chart, jim"
He pointed It out with dingy fore
finger, and the two stared ut the spot
for a minute before they got TO their
feet again. waited, but neither
spoke.
rs that all. menT I asked with a
glance at their faces. "All right then,
you can go forward. II any of you
wish to ask any questions later / shall
be glad to answer them"
They disappeared without demon
stration. talking among themselves,
yet to all appearances the conference
had not deeply impressed the crew.
They seemed stolld, dull-wltted
bunch. even Liverpool and White
slouching back to the forecastle, with
scarcely the exchange Of word. o.
son rolled up the chart, and clambered
up the ladder to where I stood beside
the first mate. For moment he clung
to the rail watching the last of the men
disappear.
swell, I'll be durned." he said al
most under his breath.
"What is It, Mr.. Olson?"
"That's Just what l don't know, SIR"
he answered slowly. zone guess Is as
good as another, sir. but I'm mighty
near certain Of one thing-they haven't
no intention Of goln' to Hamburg. Even
Liverpool and White showed no inter-
est, except In one point"
"You mean where the ship win be to-
morrow morningT"
"Just that; and it's going to be to-
morrow morning when they show their
hand. Till then, sir Wen have model
crew. That's the way see It."
(which theory looks reasonable
enough" acknowledged, after a
pause. although it's more my judg-
ment that the arrest of McCann has
left them leaderless. / am not really
looking for any more serious trouble.
However, wen be ready for II. II 1t
comes"
CHAPTER XVI.