The Huttig news., 1917-10-27
CHAPTER xi.
Select My Officers.

The die was east. However the strange adventure might eventually end, whatever peril lurked ahead of Us. 1t was now too late for regret. The full responsibility I had assumed ai- most overwhelmed me as first emerged upon deck, but there came to me also spirit of recklessness. which brought a laugh to my lips and q sllrug to my shoulders. Why should l care? It was her choice, not mine. A moment I fingered at the port rail, staring ont to the smother of the coming dusk, dering how il would all end, before cnNbed the ladder to the poop deck.
 The negro was at the wheel, while Masters stood aft gazing astern. He was not aware of my presence until I spoke sharply.
 'Mr. Masters"
 Aye, aye, sir"
 T have agreed to take command of the vessel for the remainder of the yoy- age" I said quietly, "and would have a word with the crew"
 ''fhe remainder of the voyage, sir ?"
 "Yes; the vessel has suffered no se- rious damage, and there are surely seamen on board to serve as watch off, cers."
 ''The bosun Is a good man, sir"
 What Is his name?"
 'Leayord"
 "Very well; have the men piped aft"
 "All hands, sir?'
 Certainly, Mir. Masters. They have had rest enough, I imagine, the past few days. Now they are in for spell of work"
 l was not altogether pleased with the engineers manner, vague suspl- cion coming into my mind that he also rather preferred a return to Baltimore and that the crew might desire the same decision. As 1 went forward to the rail I noticed that both Vera and Bascom had come up as far as the head of the companion, and now stood there in the shadow, where they could both see and hear. McCann, however did not appear, and was probably asleep below, or still doctoring his dis colored optic. I had just moment to observe these things before the men began to appear aft the mainmast, and form in straggly line across the deck. They were indeed q rough-looking lot, even for freighter's crew, plainly showing the effects of prolonged de- bauches ashore, with several among them still manifestly under the infiu- ence of liquor. The re-establishment of sea discipline on board WAS eyi- dently to be my first task, and my teeth clenched tightly as my eyes swept their faces.
 Come farther aft men," I ordered sternly. "Bosun, bring them closer in, where they can hear what I say-ay that's more like it.'
 stared down into the upturned faces, noting, it seemed to me, charac- teristics of every race on earth and realizing that here before me was grouped the scum of the seven seas.
 Men" I began, gripping the rail and speaking swiftly, "my name is Hollis, and I held command in the old Atlas line. The owner of this vessel and cargo-Mr. Philip Bascom--has just done me the honor of appointing me as captain for the remainder of the soy- age"
 The fellows remained silent, except for the restless shuffling of their feet on the deck.
 And what is the vige to be, mister?' suddenly asked hoarse voice back In the group.
 ''The same one you signed on for, of course"
 ''Ter Hamburg?"
 That's where we lay her head.
 But ter perdition wid It; we've wrecked ship. an they tell us there's a war on."
 "Who tells you that?'