The Clio messenger., 1917-11-23

anu lhe ouiy tiiuS uceu W eApiuih
is the necessity for a change in our
| sailing course. AS most of you know,
war has broken out in Europe since
| this ship cleared from Baltimore. The
| chances are about hundred to one
| that we would be captured, or sunk, II
we tried to reach our port through the
| Channel"
"By whomT 1t was Liverpool who
spoke.
English or French warships."
"It's a d Dutch cargo then we've
| got in the hold. That's the way fig
ured 1t. Well, now look here, sir.
Smitz is the only Dutchman aboard,
an the rest ov us don't take kindly to
| that sort o. job"
you're sailormen, and shipped on
this voyage before ever war was de-
clared. Now will you listen to me un-
til l get through"
"Ah, let him talk, Red" someone in
| terjected.
/ outlined my plan in as few words
as possible, and they seemed to listen
respectfully enough, only occasionally
interfering a question. Liverpool did
not speak at all, nor Jim White, who
had pushed his way forward, until
| concluded. Then the latter asked sud-
denly:
"Would you mind II q couple Of rs
had a glance at that chart? Maybe
we'd see 1t clearer then"
Certainly. you can all look at It.
Mr.. Olson, take the chart down there,
and point out the lines SO the men can
see where we ara"
| They crowded about, endeavoring to
gain a glimpse, although probably not
half dozen among them possessed the
faintest conception Of what the vari-
Gus markings signified. Liverpool and
White, however, got down on their
knees, and followed Olson's stubby
forefinger closely, as he traced the pro-
posed course. White appeared rather
the more intelligent, asking a question
or two before regaining his feet.
II was on the Labrador coast once,
sir" he said, turning his face toward
where / stood waiting, "but that don't
help me much to get this thing
straight. It's to be north course to-
night then, so as to take us through
the steamer lane before daylight?"
"Yes."
sand where would we be about day
light tomorrow morningW
II can only guess at that, not know
ing the exact shape our engines are in,
or the probable speed of the ship. But
we ought to be close to fifty degrees
west and about forty degrees, twenty
minutes north, should say"
"How far away from land"
zone hundred and fifty miles to the
east and south of Cape Race"
"Cape Race!" broke in Liverpool.
"Tve heard o. that point-it's south of
harbor called st. Johns. Here it is,
marked on the chart, Jim."
He pointed it out with a dingy fore
finger, and the two stared at the spot
for minute before they got to their
feet again. l waited, but neither
spoke.
"Is that all, men?' I asked with a
glance at their faces. Gall right then,
you can go forward. If any of you
wish to ask any questions later shall
be glad to answer them."
They disappeared without demon
stration, talking among themselves,
yet to all appearances the conference
had not deeply impressed the crew.
They seemed stolid, dull-witted
bunch, even Liverpool and White
slOuching back to the forecastle, with
scarcely the exchange Of a word. o.
son rolled up the chart, and clambered
up the ladder to where I stood beside
the first mate. For moment he clung
to the rail watching the last of the men
disappear.
"Well, I'll be durned," he said al
most under his breath.
what is 1t, Mr.. Olson?"
"That's just what don't know, SIR"
he answered slowly. zone guess is as
good as another, sir, but I'm mighty
near certain of one thing-they haven't
no intention of goin' to Hamburg. Even
Liverpool and White showed no inter-
est, except in one point"
"You mean where the ship will be to-
morrow morning?"
"Just that; and it's going to be to-
morrow morning when they show their
hand. Till then, sir Wen have model
crew. That's the way see It."
(which theory looks reasonable
enough" acknowledged, after a
pause, although it's more my judg-
ment that the arrest of McCann has
left them leaderless. am not really
looking for any more serious trouble.
However, Wen be ready for 1t, If 1t
| comes"