The Huttig news., 1917-11-03

] me to the cabin, and go down the steps
 You'll pay for this in the morn- ing"
 Do not worry about the morning, my man. Trust me to take care of your friends forward when the time comes. This is not my first voyage. Move on v
 Sullenly he left the rail. and crossed the deck to the companion, with me trailing a step behind. I was aware that Olson was leaning out over the l poop-rail watching our dim figures, wondering. no doubt, what was occur ring below. I did not venture to glance upward, or remove my eyes from the prisoner.
 Below there," the mate called, grufily, whats going on?''
 Tt is all right, Mir. Olson," I an- swered, speaking quietly. "rll explain later. Open the door, McCann, and go straight down."
 He must have realized the utter fu- tility of resistance, for he never even turned his head marching before me down the stairs, and across the de- serted cabin. l threw open the door next to Bascom's stateroom, switched on the light, and glanced within, keep ing my grasp hard on McCann's arm.
 His eyes met mine, black with a towards hatred.
 By God if you wasn't armed"
 swung him about in sudden disgust. flinging him forward and he fell Sprawling on the deck, overturning the stool. The next instant I had closed the door and locked it, dropping the key into my jacket pocket. There had been little noise, scarcely enough to arouse the sleepers below, and it was with a feeling of decided relief, that l returned to the open deck. I climbed the ladder, joining Olson at the port rail. Two men were at the wheel, which bucked sufficiently to keep them busy.
 "You are off couple of points, lads I said. Cant you hold her any closer?"
 Not the way the sea is running, sir" answered a voice I recognized as Simms', unless we raise a bit more iib, and the mate thought it best not to risk the canvas"
 Right, no doubt. but hold her down the best you can."
 Aye, aye, sir
 The response was cheerful enough. and l crossed the deck to where Olson stood, in somewhat better frame of mind.
 You are not exactly holding to the course, Mr. Olson." I said but not un- i kindly. 'and Simms tells me you thought it hest not to shake out an other reef in the jib''
 "It would only strain the old hooker to buck these sens, sir" he replied "and as you had no observation. l hardly thought point or two would make much difference" 1 Nor does it; only I prefer to be consulted on such matters hereafter. You must have had some other req son?"
 He glanced about to make sure oe puA dIStdiltC HUH IutH dl liiC wheel.
 "Well, in a way I suppose I did sir" he admitted slowly. "The watch for ward is sullen, an had no desire to stir them up unless there was some real need. It's Liverpool's turn on deck, Mr. Hollis, an he an never was no friends. If I was to give an order, and then had to go forward to make em hold, it might start up quite a row, sir"
 Quite a sensible decision. It may interest you to know that have just cut LiverpooFs claws-his friend Me Cam is below, safely locked up"
 Exactly sir That was what oc- cured on the main deck just now? He was very quiet about it, sir. Is 1t true what I hear that he is real New York millionaire? And you are not real sailor, Mir. Hollis, but just yachtsman?"
 "Has McCann been circulating that yarn forward?"
 "He has, sir. Simms just told me the story at the wheel"
 "Well then, listen to me, Mir. Olson. and then see to it that the word gets to the crew. I was d member of yachting party when we suffered ship wreck, but I'm no Xaehtsman. Eve served before the mast MT. Olson, and won every grade up to captaincy in the old Atlas line know the sea and it's way from forecastle to after cabin. and any time those lads forward there want to take my measure, the chance is wide open. You understand"
 q do, sir" and I thought there was more respect in the tone.
 Good; there will he no trouble to- night?"
 q think not. sir; but by morning they will begin to wonder what has become of this man McCann, and may grow ugly"
 eve can handle them by daylight. It is darkness which gives them an advantage. I'll return to the main