The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-08-29
Copyright A. c; McClurg & Co..

ter8, ana we cOulu no longer perceive
what was taking place forward. The
night shades settled about us, and the
staunch Indian Chief drove her sharp
bows through the black waste of sea
In race to cross the zone Of danger
before the coming Of another dawn.
Apparently everything was in orr ia
vor, and stood there, leaning against
the rail, chatting with Miss Vera, our
conversation drifting idly.
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 revealing her
face uplifted toward mine.
"You are not going below, then, Mr..
HolIis?" she questioned. 'Surely all
goes well?"
$50 remarkably WE'LL" I admitted,
'as to rather puzzle me. No, shall
remain on deck until morning; net
that really anticipate trouble, but the
entire responsibility rests with me-"
"You do not feel that your officers
are ef1icient2"
"Only within their limits Of knowl-
edge. like the men, and trust them,
but at that they are only promoted
from before the mast In an emergency.
Neither possess any real knowledge Of
seamanship. You can go to your berth,
and go to sleep, Miss Vera, assured
that the ship will be in safe hands"
II know 1t will, If you remain on
deck" she answered earnestly. III
have learned to trust YOU"
The hours Of the night gave me am
pie opportunity for thought, and care
full consideration. The wind held
steady, and while the sea roughened
somewhat this slight change was not
sufficient to diminish our progress, or
cause any swerving from the course
set. All remained quiet forward, the
watch on deck finding little to do other
than their routine duties, and no MEN,
Der Of the crew had any occasion to
come aft, except those detailed to the
wheel. There seemed no reason why l
should remain on deck, yet the respOn-
sibility rested upon me, and the impor-
lance Of the nights run prevented my
having any wish to retire below. How
ever, I found no occasion to interfere
with the operation Of the ship, and re-
manned mostly on the main deck,
where my watchfulness assured me
there was no communication passed
between forecastle and cabin.
The fog grew steadily more dense,
until at dawn, we were steaming reck-
lessly through thick cloud Of vapor,
barely able to observe the surface Of
the sea, dull, sodden gray, few yards
In advance of our bow The dense,
watery folds swept AlOng our sides, and
the rigging dripped moisture onto the
glistening deck planks. 1t was a
gloomy, dreary morning enough and,
even as the light of early dawn
strengthened, I could scarcely distin-
guish thing forward of the main
mast. However, there was no slowing
up Of speed or sounding of siren. Con-
vinced that we were now safely to the
north of the usual course Of ships, I
preferred to take the chance of posi-
BILE collision. 1-'.
My eyes were heavy from lack Of
sleep, and long staring out through the
black night my senses dufled by hours
Of inaction, during which nothing un-
usual had occurred to arouse me to
realization Of impending danger. l no
longer even suspected trouble, or any
active hostility forward. With the
dawn the density Of fog enwrapping
US seemed to Increase, and completely
blot out every glimpse of sea and sky.
Even Leayord leaned over the rail
just above me, could scarcely be dis
tinguished as man, and evidently his
eyes could not make me out ut all, for
he hailed doubtfully:
"Are you still on deck, Mr.. Hollis?"
'Yes," 1 answered, staring up at his
shadow. "A bad fog"
ut Is, sir. Would we better reduce
speed1'
mo, not yet; I am counting on open
water, and would rather chance strik-
Ing stray than risk being Overhauled
by British cruiser. The sun will
split this mist before noon, and mean
while we must make all the northing
possible"
l heard his AYE, aye, sir" as I
crossed to the port rail. had reached
point nearly opposite the broken
stump Of the foremost when l was sud-
denly confronted by two blurred fig
ures emerging noiselessly from the
deeper shadow cast by quarter boat
swinging in davits. The fellows must
have known who was, and the path
of my approach; no doubt had been
close enough aft to, overhear my con-
versation with Leayord. At least they
We're on me before truly realized
their near presence-the one gripping
the arm flung up in startled defense
the other driving his fist straight into
my face, a sledge-hammer blow which
sent me crashing back full length on
the deck. Stunned, daZed as !. was by
this vicious attack, l made an instant 8
struggle, but was quickly crushed back,
a merciless hand gripping my throat.