Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-09
CONTR ABAND
A Romance Of the North Atlantic
By RANDALL PARRISH


present condition. and felt obliged to an
swer her questions frankly. although ex
cused the man as much as possible, anu
led the talk into happier channels. How
ever. she told US more Of his history and
FAMILY, relating in some detail her former
acquaintance. The conversation drifted
idly, and, when assured that Dade was
safely beyond earshot, we spoke briefly
of our plans. and outlined our future. Even
Leayord had lost his suspicious of the
men forward, and expressed his belief that
our voyage would be without further serious
internal trouble.
/ gave him instructions to change tho
vessels course and order an increase of
speed when he returned to take charge Of
the deck, and n few moments later noted
with satisfaction that the telltale compass
overhead indicated that were headed
straight into the north. and could feel the
throbbing of the engines and straining of
the hull az we raced forward
In spite of the pleasant day and that the
sun was still visible In the western sky,
the air on deck was chill. and returned
below for a heavier coat and also brought
back with me cloak belonging to the late
commander with which to protect Miss Car
rington. She laughed gayly as / wrapped II
about her shoulders, for It was an old
fashioned garment, evidently picked up in
some foreign port and retained as a curl
osity, but It's warmth was welcome, The
evening was a beautiful one, the sky clear
the sea calm, except for the long ocean
swell. But for q faint trail of smoke far
to tho westward, barely visible as the sun
sank below the horizon, no evidence was
dscernible of any other vessel in the wide
circle hailed the lookout in the maintop
but the wisp Of smoke was too far away
for his eyes to determine the course of the
distant steamer, although as he swept his
glasses a bit farther northward they became
fixed and motionless As l stared up at
him his voice reported:
Sail no :"
where away?"
About three points of the port bow.
sir--a schooner's topsail."
Very well. keep her in sight--a fishing
vessel likely"
Leayard leaned over the poop rail-
shall change the course. sir? She
might prove something we wouldn't care to
meet"
Certainly not; we'll not attempt to
dodge every fishing smack, and II that
steamer is heading this way. we will be
miles to the north before she reaches these
waters, What is our rate now?'
about seventeen knots, sir"
Masters is getting the best he can out
OF the engines, I presume?'
Tho old hooker has never done much
better to my knowledge sir. She never
was no greyhound but maybe. with the
wind from that quarter. the sails might be
trimmed to help little"
"The experiment is worth trying. Mr..
Leayord. Send Olson forward"
Aye. aye. sir"
Both watches were on deck clustered in
restless bunch before the forecastle. or
overhanging the rail- evidently deeply in
terested in observing our efforts TO get all
possible speed out of the Indian Chief. The
fading light gave me glimpse of their faces.
and noticed that both Liverpool and White
were circulating freely from group to group.
However, the men responded readily enough
to Olson's orders, and sang cheerily as
they tailed onto the ropes Liverpool HIM
self leading tho way up the ratines and
out upon the manyard as they sheeted
home Tho job was rather smartly done.
and the canvas bellied out so stifiiy that 1
suspected there was more wind aloft than
was felt on deck. Olson remained forward.
and we could hear his voice assigning the
men to various tasks as they returned TO
the deck.
rs that all, sir2" asked Leayord from
above,
"All at present: very smartly done at
that; not a bad crew now they're sober"
There are sailormen among 'cm, sir.
Shall send the port watch below?'
mot yet; Mr.. Olson seems to be finding
work for all hands and they are better of
kept busy. Perhaps the ship would rise
easier, Mr.. Leayord, IL you let her head off
a point---there is some danger Of straining
the steering gear"
"Aye aye, sir-let her on q point, Carl
son easy now"
The stars began to pop out In the arch
of sky above, silverng the waters and we
could no longer perceive what was taking
place forward. The night shades settled
about us, and the stanch Indian Chief
drove her sharp bows through the black
waste Of sea In a race TO cross the zone of
danger before the coming of another dawn
Apparently everything was in our favor,
and | stood there, leaning against the rail,
chatting with Miss Vera, our conversation
drifting idly. Darkness shadowed US, with
only bit of deck revealed by the faint
light streaming through the glass Of the
companion. The riding lamps were not lit,
as / preferred to take chances, assured
that we were alone in that sxpanse of
ocean. Things grew quiet forward and
Olson returned aft pausing a mopent to
report to me, before clambering up the
ladder to rejoin Leayord
1t must have been after nine when the
girl left, complaining of being chilled even
in the protection of the great cloak.
crossed the deck with her to the head of
the stairs, and our hands clasped as we
fingered there q moment the dim light re-
vealing her face uplifted toward mine.
You are not going below. then, Mr..
Hollis7" she questioned. Surely all goes
well?" st-
80 remarkably WELL" I admitted, "as
to rather puxxle me. No. shall remain on
deck until morning not that really ar.tici-
pats trouble, but the snttrs responsibility
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