The Pulaskian., 1917-11-02
CHAPTER xIlI-(continued.l

-9
 sAmidship."
 Petty officers quarters. Well, I prefer having you aft. There is va cant Stateroom below. Walk ahead of me to the cabin, and go down the steps"
 "You'n pay for this in the morn Ing"
 ~Do not worry about the morning, my man. Trust me to take care of your friends forward when the time comes. This is not my first voyage. Move onp'
 Sullenly he left the rail, and crossed the deck to the companion. with me trailing a step behind. l was aware that Olson was leaning out over the poop-rail watching our dim figures, wondering, no doubt, what was occur ring below. l did not venture to glance upward, or remove my eyes from the prisoner.
 Below there," the mate called, gruffiy, "what's going on?"
 'It is all right, MT. Olson," ! an- swered, speaking quietly. "I'll explain later. Open the door, McCann, and go straight down."
 He must have realized the utter fu- tility of resistance, for he never even turned his head, marching before me down the stairs, and across the de- serted cabin. I threw open the door next to Bascom's stateroom, switched on the light, and glanced within, keep ing my grasp hard on McCann's arm. His eyes met mine, black with a towards hatred.
 "By God if you wasn't armed"
 ' swung hir about in sudden disgust, fiinging him forward, and he fell sprawling on the deck, overturning the stool. The next instant I had closed the door and locked it, dropping the key into my jacket pocket. There had been little noise, scarcely enough to arouse the sleepers below, and it was with a feeling of decided relief, that I returned to the open deck.
 I climbed the ladder, joining Olson at the port rail. Two men were at the wheel, which bucked sufficiently to keep them busy.
 "You are off a couple of points, lads," I said. Cant you hold her any tloser?"
 'Not the way the sea is running, Sir" answered voice I recognized as Simms', "unless we raise a bit more tib, and the mate thought it best not to risk the canvas"
 'Right, no doubt, but hold her down the best you can."
 faye, aye, sir"
 The response was cheerful enough, and crossed the deck to where Olson stood, in somewhat better frame of mind.
 "You are not exactly holding to the course, Mir. Olson," said, but not un- Kindly. "and Simms tells me you thought 1t best not to shake out an other reef in the jib."
 ~It would only strain the old hooker to buck these seas, sir," he replied, 'and as you had no observation, hardly thought point or two would make much difference"
 'Nor does it; only I prefer to be consulted on such matters hereafter. You must have had some other req son?"
 He glanced about to make sure of our distance from the men at the wheel.
 ''Well, in way I suppose did, sir" he admitted slowly. ''The watch for ward is sullen, an had no desire to stir them up unless there was some real need. It's Liverpoops turn on deck. MT. Hollis, an he an never was no friends. If I was to give an order, and then had to go forward to make em hold. 1t might start up quite a row, sir.n
 Quite a sensible decision. It may interest you to know that have just cut Liverpool's claws--his friend Me Cam is below, safely locked up"
 Exactly, sir. That was what oc- cured on the main deck just now? He was very quiet about it, sir. Is 1t true what hear that he is a real New York millionaire? And you are not real sailor, Mir. Hollis, but just a yaehtsmanY'
 Has McCann been circulating that yarn forward?'
 He has, sir. Simms just told me khe story at the wheel"
 Well then, listen to me, Mr: Olson,