The Huttig news., 1917-10-06
CHAPTER VII.
l Enforce Authority.

Enforce Authority.
 Scarcely had we taken this new course when the sun, now well above the horizon, red ball of fire, burst through rift in the clouds, and the waters in our wake became trail of crimson. The encircling mist seemed rent asunder by some invisible power, whlrling away like wreaths of smoke blown by the wind, and yielding us broad view to where sky and ocean met. Our straining eyes caught no- where a signal of life or hope, no gleam of distant soil, no black shadow of smoke. We were alone in the drear waste of water, with not even n speed ing seagull to break the dull vista of warning sea and sky.
 I forced myself to turn away from in which we fioated. McCann had sunk down abaft the jury mast, and rested there hanging over the side, starir z moodily down into the green water. His heavy face exhibited no interest and looked almost brutal in the garish
 
 the man had changed Could this be the same fellow I had played cards with on the quarterdeck of the Esmer- aida only two days before? Why, then he had been the life of the company, full of humor. bit rough in speech to be sure, and drinking more than was ncccssury, yet apparently goou rel low. But now-why. he actually had the aspect of q brute; aye. and like wise the manners of one. A single night of danger and exposure had suf- feed to bring to the surface his true character, had stripped off the veneer, and proven him bullying coward, in efficient and unwilling. I felt my teeth close tightly as looked at him, but relief came when I turned toward the girl, seated near me. She must have felt the intentness with which l re- garded her. for she turned suddenly. q flush sweeping her cheeks.
 "Isn't 1t wonderful, Mir. Hollis, the way those clouds and waves blend wonder, such a marvellous massing of colors? Oh, there Is no beauty like the sea !"
 "But always a cruelty in It's beauty, like that of tiger cat" l answered. "Peihaps we had better breakfast, Miss Vera; let me see your bag of bis cults by daylight"
 She brought them forth. together with the jug. A little sea water had seeped into the bag, and the outer lay CTS were more or less mildewed, yet enough remained sweet and wholesome to give me hope of their sustaining us until we should be picked up by some passing vessel. The water jug, how ever, was only half-f1lled and must be spnringly used.
 I've will go on short rations," l an nounced. breaking a biscuit with my knife. Just enough to keep us from starving. Here, McCann, is your DOT tion."
 :. He reached out and took what handed him; then gave utterance to curse.
 My God! do you mean I am to breakfast on this half biscuit?" he ex' claimed angrily.
 "On that, or on none at all,' an swered, cycling him sternly. You haven't done so much work as to earn double rations. give you the same as I take myself. All we have is what Is in this bag, and heaven knows when we shall meet ship"
 Ship. h-! We are not far from Long Island"
 1.-TWO hundred miles at least, and with this jury rig we should have te make some wide tacks on that course Take what give you, man, and be de cent about it."
 He grumbled something regarding his belief that I was keeping most o1 the food for myself, but I broke in, de termined to end the discussion: "srhat's talk enough. Eat your hall biscuit the same as we do, ana bt thankful you have got that; and wher you come to the water, one swallow each will be all we arc entitled to. Yot hear mef"
 "Yes, I hear you; but who In thun der are you?'
 ."The only seaman on board, McCann and the life of this young lady, as wei as your own, depends on my Judgment am not seeking trouble with you, bu you will obey my orders while we ar' afloat here, or take the consequences