Courier Democrat., 1917-12-20

man than you think"
/ must have slept for several hours
undisturbed, for, when finally opened
my eyes once more the sky above us
was beginning to turn purple with twi-
Hight, and the breeze had failed, SO that
the sail tapped idly against Its impro-
vised mast. This, perhaps, was the
noise which had aroused me-. sat up.
wide awake instantly and stared about
me In the bpat. There was littIa
change noticeable; Miss Vera still
clung to the steering oar, showing no
outward signs of weariness, and greet
ed me with smile and nod of the
head; but Mccain had moved forward,
and sat playing idly with an open jack
knife.
II bear testimony that you slept we'll,
Mr.. Hollis" the girl said cheerfully.
II did not realize until I lay down
how weary was" I replied, adopting
her manner, "but really you had no
right to let me lie so, long. Why.
must have been sleeping three or four
hours, and you will be tired OUT
"Oh, no; 1T was, no trick at all. The
wind kept steady until just few mo-
ments ago, and I do not feel in the
least fatigued" ~
"And you have seen nothing? no
smoke, no sail?"
She shook her head, her eyes grown
grave.
"Not thing; we seem to be- abso-
lutely alone in, the immensity of the
sea-just one great wave after the
other. lit gets on my nerves."
ut certainly does; such. sight has
driven more. than one insane. But
what does this mean? Why is the bis
cult bag out here?"
pointed to the bottom of the boat,
beyond her feet. Her eyes met mine,
her answer made in whisper.
"He-he crept back here while was
adjusting my oar, and took two"
= aMcGann?" - -,.-:.> .,--,r, -
"Yes, he had the bag before 1 no.
ticed, and thought it best not to anger
him then, for he held that open knife
in his hund.''
"You should have called me-"
'"The mischief was done before I had
any time. Besides I knew you needed
the sleep. What are you going to do?"
smiled a bit grimly, glimpsing him
beneath the sail.
II am about to give Mr.. Fergus Nc.
Cam, late of New York, little speci-
men of sea discipline which hope may
last him for the remainder of this voy-
age" replied quietly. "Hold the boat
steady, Miss Vera, and leave me to at
tend to this degenerate son of wealth. .
crept forward, scarcely jarring the
frail craft, and was beyond the jury
mast before the fellow had aroused
sufficiently from his knife play even to
note my approach. He stared ut me in.
solently, leaving the keen blade trem-
bling in the plank.
"McCann," began, wasting no time
in preliminaries, lifting myself ON one
knee, and facing him, ''the young lady
says you took advantage Of my being
sound asleep to help yourself t6 bis.
cults; is that SOP 4
"Well, what if did? I was hungry
so am r; so no doubt is the lady
for the matter Of that. Hunger is nc
justification for stealing. You were
not starving; you received! exactly, the
same share we did. More than that, j
! have assumed command Of this boat
because am the only one on board
knowing the ways Of the sea. I told
you plainly what you were to do, and
; propose to enforce my orders. Not
another bite will be given you today
'or tomorrow" "
us that so7" he drawled, wicked
smile revealing his teeth. "You must
think you are dealing with a foremast
hand. 1t takes something besides
threats to run me, Mr.. Robert Hollis
He half arose to his feet. but I forced
him back onto the thwart none toe
gently. His face was red with passion
his eyes malevolent.
you! tuke your hands OF
me!' he snarled. ''No clustering SEQ
bully is going to make me jump at the
crook Of his finger. You touch me
again. and I'll show you who am, you
big5brute. Me take orders from youi
Why, pooh; I've got more money In
New York than you ever saw"
IT you owned the Bank of England
1t would mean nothing to me. You will
do what 7 say, or I'll make you"
"YOu will? How?"
''No matter how; I've trained more
men than you to obedience In my time
and always found a way"
"Huhl the bucko-mate business
hey2" he sneered. .Well, just try tina,
on me. IL you think 1t safe. I'll show
yGu-"
His hand darted back toward his hip
pocket. but was looking for the move
ment. and ready. His fingers had bare
( " griDped the butt Of his weapon whsr