Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-11-21

1HeTe MAS moments argument De-
fore he returned to his position at the
rail.
~ dunno as yer would be much bet
ter off along with us than yer are thar
in the dinghy" he called indifferently.
For, In manner O. speakin', we're no
more than wreck. / reckon thar
amt no one among yer who knows how
to navigator
l stood up, following my hands to
make my voice carry more clearly.
"That is not very sailorlike speech,
my friend" shouted, yet striving to
conceal anger. But as you put hu-
mainly on those terms, I'll answer you.
l have been in the merchant service.
and commanded ships"
"Well? Is that so? Sail. or steamT
"Steam-the old Atlas line. Do you
take us aboard?"
He did not answer directly. but had
| lost his air of indifference, strfding
| forward to the end Of the poop, and
giving orders to the men forward. The
| black heads adjoining the fOrecastle
rail disappeared, and a moment later
the round, red face again appeared.
AYE, wen take yer, SIR" he called
down, touch of Difference In his
hoarse voice. YEN understand the
trouble once yer come aboard. Yer
all able to climb. reckon?"
1--WE have q woman with u.s."
It'll be quite Job to rig up a
swing, sir"
turned and looked at her; then up
the straight steel sides looming before
us, but before could speak. she had
made decision.
II can 60 up the ladder, Mr.. Hollis"
she said firmly. II am not afraid"
IAN right" I called. Lower away,
and send man down to steady 1t be-
low"
The little dinghy swept in easily,
and. under my directions, Mccain awk-
wardly Tended 1t off from scraping
against the steel sides. AS the rope
ladder Strengthened, caught the lower
coil, and held 1t firmly. Down the rat
lines, hand over hand. until he dropped
sprawling into the boat, came one Of
fellow above. now standing on the
rail and clinging to a backstay, roared
down at him.
"Haul her in Simms; haul her In.
That's more like 1t. Now hold all
taut. Send up the lady first, captain;
there'll be hand to help her in the
chains"
She did not hesitate, grasping the
rope firmly In her hands as the negro
and l lifted her high enough to get
foothOld.
"You are all right, Miss veraT
Eyes" she called down.
'Then go up. but hold tight; the
vessel may roll"
Mccain followed. too glad to thus
escape me to refuse, yet plainly enough
half dead with fear. AS soon as I saw
his legs dangling, while the seamen
above dragged him inboard, I drew
myself up to the lower ratline, leaving
the negro alone to hold the line.
"Hey, above there" shouted. what
shall we do with the boatT'
LET her go there is no room to stow
1t on deck. Come aboard, Simms."
We went up together, the ladder
swinging dizzily to our movements.
The voice of the man who seemed to be
In command growled down from the
poop:
Haul in the ladder. and stow 1t:
then 60 forward and get some o. that
rifle overheard afore dark. This way.
I'd like private word with
yer afore yer 60 below"
There were perhaps dozen men in !.
view, typical freighter's crew, I
judged, mostly foreign faces, two Of {
them negroes. They worked silently.
and then shuffed forward, without ex-
hibiting the slightest interest In my.
presence, or giving a glance aft.
II am very glad to welcome you on
board the Indian Chief. captain-Cap-
Hollis" answered shortly. And
your name?"
"Masters-Gideon Masters" ::
"In command"
"WelL yes, in a way. reckoned.
you'd want the whole story, an tibet.
things he'd better be explained afores
yer went below"
"Of course; but first question or
two, Mr.. Masters. What has become
Of my companions?"
IL