Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-10

see n yard ahead, and the deck underfoot
was slippery with moisture. had reached
n point nearly opposite the broken stump
Of the foremast, when I was suddenly con-
fronted by two blurred figures emerging
noiseessly from the deeper shadow cast by
a quarter boat swinging In davits. The
fellows must have known who i was, ana
the path of my approach. no DOUBT they
had been close enough aft to overhear my
conversation with Leayord, AT least they
we're on me almost before I truly realized
their near presence--the one gripping the
arm I flung up in startled defense; the
other driving his fist straight into my race
a sledgehammer blow which sent me crasn-
ing back full length on the deck stunned,
dazed as | was by this vicious attack, i
made an instant's struggle, but was quickly
crushed back, a merciless hand gripping
my throat Almost at the same moment
the revolver was removed from my pocket
the cold muzzle thrust against my check
Lie stll, damn you" muttered tense
voice. and | knew the speaker Tor JIM
white cor I'll blow the whole top o yer
head off"
I retained sense enough to obey, Whites
knee pinning me TO the deck. but some
sound Of my fall must have carried att for
Ieayord sang out through tho fog
Forward there! what's all that racket
about?"
Whites fingers shocked me into helpless
silence his knee crunchng hard into my
breast II was Liverpool Red who an
swered sullenly:
II knocked over capstan bar, sir
never saw II in the hloomn' fog
Leayord growled something, the words
failing to carry to us against the wind. but
a moment later, satisfied that no further
investigation was to be made, Liverpool
thrust white aside and lifted me to my rect,
his eyes glaring threat into mine.
"One whimper from you an yer over
board" he muttered hoarsely Take II
from me, we know what were about Come
on now an don't attempt nuthin' There's
nobody forard here ter give yer hand
Take him by the collar jim
with whites hand gripping me. and my
own revolver at my head. any attempt to
break away would have been simply sui
eide.
The thick fog hid the scene from those on
watch aft and that the two men were reck-
less and desperate, their plans well laid.
was evident. The gray light revealed their
faces. and there was no mercy in the scowl-
ing eyes.
Forward yer go. sir" growled White
his fingers twisted in the jacket collar
IT'S damn little more yerl hav' ter say
/ aboard this hooker.
What do you propose doing? This is
| mutny, men"
ITO hell with the mutny. It's war, an
| we're Englishmcn this ships loaded with
| warstuffs bound fer Germany. That sort O
| talk means nuthin--so come on, and stow
/ the gaff.
They forced me around the bulk of the
| windlass to the head of the foreCastle steps,
| slid back the door in it's grooves and thrust
| me staggering down into the murlky depths
| below a slush light. swinging To "A
| blackeued beam in the deck above. cast a
| ghasty yellowish glare over the interior.
| revealing to me at least two-thirds of the
! crew, clustered about, evidently awaiting
! some such event Hairy faces peered out
| from hunks and men were sprawled about
| on boxes and the deck The place was damn
| and smelly, the odor of oil mingling with
! blge water. and sodden clothing swinging
to wooden hooks on the side walls For an
instant the dirt and filth, combined with
! sharp swayng of the vessel under foot, al
! most sickened me. and ! grasped the up
! right of a berth to keep erect. my eyes
! seeking to distinguish the faces. rendered
scarcely visible by the miserable light
| White held to my collar. but Liverpoo
closed the entrance. shutting out even that
faint breath of pure air before speaking q
| word
Well we've got the main guy. lads. an
no shindy," he said cheerfully, AN CUR
came with him. Now a few o. us will see Il
we can persuade the furst mate into takinl
a trip forward"
Where's Billy Olson?" asked a voice.
CONTINUED TOMORROW