The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-12-13

fair island. III they get aboard, 1t VIII
be a fight to the death. Happily, it
isn't hard to KIN them. only we can't
see them. They are quite invisible. re-
member. / killed two Of them. Better
serve out cutlasses-"
1--WE won't stand for any nonsense
from them, sir" answered the MILDLY.
Excuse me, sir, while I call Clouts
to take the lookout" He moved
toward the entrance.
In a few moments Sam Clouts came
In. He saiuted, but instead OF taking
his post at the observation port, he
remained standing In front of Donald.
wouldn't you like to lie down be-
low. STRIP he asked.
whats thatf' demanded Donald.
what do you mean, Clouts9"
Excuse me. sir. but I think q rest
would do you good" said the sailor.
get to your postI" said Donald
sharply.
"But, really, sir"
rs this INSTRUMENTATION, Clouts?"
mo, sir. But It would be best for
you to rest, SIR" persisted Clouts.
Davies r~eappeared at the door.
Hes quite right. sir" he said.
Hes acting under my orders. You
need to rest for a WHILE"
Donald suddenly began to under
stand.
Davies. do you imagine that / am
crazyf" he cried. "why, that's what
they told Mastermanr"
II think, sir, you ought TO rest"
said Davies. Meanwhile I am assum-
ing command"
I'll have you court-martialed, Da-
vies r. cried Donald angrily.
"T1l face that, SIR" returned the
little MILDLY. "You see, sir, it amounts
to~this: / have only spoken to Clouts
SO far. 1t would be better to lie down
quietly than to have the rest of the
men know about this. 1t would be
very %prejudicial to discipline, sir. And
In the morning, when you feel differ
ent, / shall resign the command to-
you again."
Dnnnid negnn fo realize the impos-
slbility Of convincing Davies. The
MILDLY evidently believed that his ex-
posture In the boat had turned his
brain. 1t was useless to attempt to
argue. OF curse he ought never to
have spoken about the monsters. but
they had been SO real, so yecent In
Ills mind. $780,
Davies, you may take command un-
I'll morning." said Donald. "Only re-
member my warning about tho
hatches."
He turned toward the door. Davies
spluted him. Sam Clouts accompanied
him to his cabin below.
1--WE put the lady In here. SIR" he
said, pausing In front Of the door.
"Quite right" answered Donald.
"You may sling me q hammock In the
officers messroom."
I've done 1t, SIR Clouts answered.
A moment later Donald found HIM
self q prisoner on board his own ship.
For, on making his exit, Clouts had
locked the door. The action was done
with dispatch. and the key was turned
almost noiselessly, but Donald had
heard Il.
He got into his hammock and tried
to compose his mind, but he discov-
cred that the events Of the day had
shaken him more than he had imag-
incd. Those awful memories required
TO him against his volition. Worst Of
all was the knowledge that precious
time was passing while he was 4 pris-
oner. And he recollected that the
monstr0us horde, surrounding the sub
marine. no doubt. had already discov-
cred that men were food. II Davies
took on the hatches-perhaps he had
already done %.
Hls mind became obsessed by the
threatened danger. He sprang from
his hammock, trembling. He tried 10
open the door. He set his shoulder
against Il. Outside he heard the reedy
notes Of q mouth organ, and Sam
Clouts suddenly stood before him.
Donald had az impulse to appeal 70
the man. but It once be saw IT, fu-
tility.
zen hi. Davies that be IL on no
account - take on the hatche&" hs
am Cloufp aaluted him and calmly
~ door, again. Outside ~
ntroIn q ~ mouth nErnn wsle