The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-11-09


swell, sir, don't just know myself,
| for was the bosun, and the lads never
talked to me very freely. From all I've
heard, however, It's largely caused by
what that fat bloke yer brought aboard
with yer had to say about this dirty
war breakin' out. 1 don't know the
buffers name, sir; but hear he claims
to be millionaire, an is willin' ter
spend lot o. coin, just to be took
back ter New York. Cookie told me
that he and the guy that goes by the
name of Liverpool had quite talk"
Liverpool Red-yes, I've heard Of
him; he's the mems leader forward"
Likely so; but there's others Of
The same kidney. If / was you, sir,
I'd have a talk with Olson when he
come on deck again. He'll tell you
more'n l can"
stood silent a moment, staring out
into the black void.
II presume, Mr.. Leayord, I can con-
fidently rely on your loyalty in case
trouble develops?"
"You sure can, sir"
"And Olson?"
"Hell face it like a man; and al
though Masters is bit of fool, I'm
guessing he can be counted on In a
pinch"
"Are there any others?"
"That's hard to say, sir, offhand. /
haven't been shipmates with them, or
with any o. this crew long enough vet
to size 'em up; but there are few
men forward who don't chum none
with Liverpool's crowd. Olson would
know 'em better than l."
"Well, the sooner we learn exactly
how we stand in this matter the better.
I'll relieve you as soon as / have
bite to eat"
In spite of its general dinginess of
paint and furnishings, the main cabin
| had look of cOziness and comfort as
I entered from the black gloom Of the
decks. Bascom and Miss Vera occu-
pied seats on one side, while Olson,
washed and brushed into state Of
rare discomfort, sat alone opposite. A
slim, narrow-chested man, his weak
mouth partially concealed by stray
Cling mustache, and who answered to
the name of Dade, acted as steward,
| but the boy, Moon, was doing most Of
the work. drew out the single va
cant chair and sat down.
"Well," 1 said pleasantly, breaking
the rather awkward silence, II do not
exactly know where we are going, but
we are on our Way."
1.-THE sea is rising, judge" re-
marked Bascom.
''There is every promise Of rough
night, but nothing to worry over. Dade,
why did you set the table only for
four? There is another passenger
aboard"
"He has refused to mess aft, sir"
"Oh, he has! Well, possibly, may
have something to say as to that. Did
he give any reason?"
Dade endeavored to hide grin. "Not
| exactly, a reason, SIR" he answered
softly, "but took it from what he said
that he was not overly proud o. the
way he wus marked up, sir"
devoted few minutes to the meal,
but when Dade departed on an errand
forward, decided might just as well
discuss the situation frankly.
II am beginning to fear" said qui-
city, "that Mr.. Fergus Mccain intends
| to make us all the trouble possible, and
Is even now behind most Of the dis
satisfaction on board. Do you know
anything definite, Mr.. Olson?"
The mate paused in his eating, with
knife and fork uplifted.
II had not heard, sir. May I ask
If he is rich2"
"Quite so; he was guest on the
yacht Esmeralda. Now that I have
answered these questions, Mr.. Olson"
and / stared into his rather emotion
less face intently, perhaps you will be
kind enough to answer mine."
81 would know what talk" he re-
turned stubbornly. "He, this Mr.. Nc
Cam, he offers ten thousand dollars
to be put back in New York."
$50 that's his game! Who brought
the word forward?"
"Cookie, I think, sir. I overheard
Jim White say that Mr.. Mccain had
belt on him with more money in 1t
than they'd ever seen before In all
their lives. The d fool beg
your pardon, miss-didn't know no
more than to show it to 'em. Why, the
sight of it fairly drove them two wharf
rats crazy.
There's half dozen men forward"
he went on slowly, "who would murder
their grandfathers, sir, to get hold o
all that coin. The rest o. the crew are
decent enough fellows as sailormen go,
but there's liquor aboard yet, and all
this ERE war talk has scared 'em
| against continuing the voyage"
MCCAIN told them?"
"He told Cookie an Liverpool, an
they circulated the news. 'Tis said
| we're chuck up with contraband, sir,
an that If we're took, every man jack
of us will be chucked into an English
or French prison."
"You exnect n mutiny. then. Mr. Oh