Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-01

might yet occur on board. No, the burden
was mine, mine virtually alone There
we're others in whom l had some measure
OF faith, and who, believed. would follow
my lead just 80 long as II was apparently
successful. But 1t was UP to me tc strike
first, to assert my authority. and then
maintain II. This was the one thing when
would impress the mind of sailor-a
quick decision, a swift blow. This very
night we must win the ship, II ever, and
he first man for me to gain control over
must be Fergus Mccain
1 reached this decision cooly and de-
liberately. yet with no clear plan of action
in my mind l did not even know where
the fellow had secreted himself since com
ing on board, although IT was evident
enough that he was endeavoring to avoid
encountering me until he could make East
friends with the more desperate spirits
forward.
thought Of sending the lad Moon in
search of him realizing the danger of ven-
turing forward myself alone, yet stood there
hesitatng. feeling sure he would refuse
TO come aft. At that moment Olson sang
out some order from the rail overhead ana
| could hear the hustle of the watch along
the black deck.
My eyes distinguished no figures but sud
denly n blaze of lightning seemed TO rip
the sky asunder and. I'm the swift. CHASTITY
glare / perceived two human figures against
the starboard rail. safe from observation
beneath boat swung in davjts. The man
directly facing me, his countenance illum-
ined for a single instant by the flame, was
Liverpool Red. Then all was silence and
darkness again. the ship pluuging against
the storm. the deck swept by wind aud
rain. The very postures OF the two men,
the position chosen amidshps and In the
shadow, led me to identify Lvcrpools COM
panion and guess their purpose. Very well
there was no better time than now to start
my task Yet I had scarcely taken a step
forward when I became aware that their
secret conference was over, and that the
two were separating | could not positively
determine the movement in the intense
darkness, but I felt assured that one Of
the two men had moved forward, crouchng
along the rail leaving the second man
standing alone. Unquestonably the one
thus left would be Mccain
waited motionlcss until the fellow steal
| ing away was well beyond earshot, and
| then advanced straight across the pitching
| deck. The fellow, taken quite by surprise,
| stared at my indistinct figure, unable to de-
| termne my identity until | spoke, There
was that about his figure, black as the
| night was. which convinced me he was the
| man sought.
| We'll, Mccain" said shortly, you
| seem to prefer associating with the crew,
rather than with your own class aft. Wha.
| is the game?"
| 81 was not aware there were any Of my
| own class on board" he answered sneer-
| ingly.
Perhaps you have not yet discovered
| who are on board. DO you chance to know
| who owns this vessel and cargo?"
| who owns them :" he laughed coarsely
| what the hell difference does that make
| ut depends entirely on whether or not
you have any decent manhood left in you.
| I said coldly and. frankly. I do not be-
| leve you have. However the truth can dc
| no harm. and we'll understand each Other
| better This ship and cargo are owned by
| Philip Bascom, of Philadelphia"
| "Bascom BY God You don't mean II p
But l do: and more than that. all his
| fortune is invested in this one enterprise
| that Is why consented to assume command
| and sail the Indian Chief across TO Ger
| many"
CONTINUED TOMORROW