Sioux County pioneer., 1917-12-13

tle 4uletiy spoken orders, the low
chant Of song as the men toiled at a
rope. were evidence that my presence
was not required, and I felt 1t would
please both officers to be left alone in
charge. I opened the port and looked
out at the glorious morning. It was
lonely ocean scene, yet wildly beau
tiful. Everywhere was the wild DESC
lation of the sea, nothing on which the
eye could rest except the restless
waves. the constant shifting Of colors.
Satisfied that no other vessel was with
In range Of vision, lay down again.
do not recall a pleasanter meal at
sea than our breakfast that morning.
All were in excellent humor, and no
premonition Of trouble entered our
minds. The night had passed quietly,
both officers reporting the crew docile
and cheerful.
Olson was on watch, but Masters
Joined us at table, and reported all well
in the engine room, and together we
drank a toast to pleasant voyage, al
most convinced that before us were
only the ordinary vicissitudes Of the
sea. It was not until the men left the
table that was reminded of our pris-
oner in the nearby stateroom.
"Mr. Bascom seldom takes any
breakfast?" I said to Dade, who Was
polishing the stair rail.
mo, sir; have orders to take film
cup Of coffee at nine o'clock"
"And how ahout McCann2n
'"The gentleman in number six, slr3
He's locked in, and haven't the kes.''
"That's 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.
McCann was seated on the edge Of his
bunk facing me, and, 1t was plainly
evident at first view that he was In no
pleasant humor. Il
"McCann," said, as he failed to
speak, 'let's have an understanding.
It is no desire Of mine to hold you a
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 communica-
tions with the crew, anesconsi.A Ter your
self passenger untilthe 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 voyager
ITO Hamburg" ~ I
He laughed, and there wa5 an ugly
sound to 1t.
"Pshaw. do you think yoh ever will
get there7" he asked; glazing at me,
but making no effort to rise. "Are you
fool enough, Hollis, to'imagine that the
English fleet will efer permit this ship
to pass through the Channel7 Why,
your whole darn'1cargo. they tell me,
is contraban9".
"who tells yod1"
'Never min4s who. It's the truth.
isn't it7'
Eyes, you might as well know
mostly munitions Of wat, but contract
ed for months before war was de-
clared. However. thdt's nothing to do
with your status on bbard. It is moth
ing to you, IL II, who gets the cargo, OF
where it is a4ally lahded7"
'It is something to me whether Tn
safe in New4H6rk, or rotting in an Eng
llsh, or French prison." he said sullen.
ly. "Besidee that's not all. I've got
a deal on thsEe that means more than
a million dollars1 can't afford to
drift about here Oh this rotten tramp"
'"rhe saving Of this boat and cargo
means more. to Baseom than your mil.
Lion dollar Fade does to you."'
awhat's Bascom's| affairs to me7" he
sneered. NHe took his chances, didn't
he7 You seem to think I owe the man
something's suppose he told you, or
else the girl did. that I crippled him
for life. Well. hfC deserved all he got.
! pay my debts. let me tell you, and
I've got someag4inst you to be settled
yet. Don't pret eh Philip Bascom to
me. It's not for .ais sake you are hang.
ing on here. and trying to get this ship
.Ea to Hamburg burg Tn not 80 blind as all
"What do you meant"
.Meani WI, that is Carriueton',
girl. isn't 1t. you and pulled ont Of
the sadht1Y Lprd, knew her when
the hrst stfeak Of daylight came, and
saw your little game, too. There's
money Ienou'h coming to Der to max.
this a'd5A, i profitable vuyage II you
can lae&Af in your net before che
! ssts sshocS again. ~ God! ] niEh'