The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-11-23
mis- ere war talk has scared 'em
against continuing the voyage"
"McCann told thpm?"

against continuing the voyage"
"McCann told them"
HE told Cookie an Liverpool, an
they circulated the news. 'Tls said
we're chuck up with contraband, sir,
an that If were took, every man jack
of us will be chucked into an English
or French prison"
You expect mutiny, then, Mr.. Oh
SOM"
IL don't know whatl stop 1t, sir"
he answered Solemnly. THE men went
aft ter sorter take your measure, sir,
and hear what it was you proposed do
ing. They amt had no chance to git
tergether an talk since, but it's my
notion they're ripe enough for the job"
looked him squarely in the eyes.
"And how about you, Mr.. Olson?"
"Ie, sir?" his lips grinned. IF I
hadn't intended for to stay with yer.
sir, / never would "a took the job"
/ reached out my hand, and our fin-
gers locked.
Good; with both my officers loyal,
We'll find n way out of this mess. Come
with me into the captains stateroom,
until we see what we can find there
useful"
disturbed things as little as pos
sible, leaving any necessary research
into Captain Hadleys private affairs
to later date, but sought with some
anxiety through n roll OF maps showed
behind the chest, Olson holding a Ian
tern aloft, until l finally brought forth
an old chart of the North Atlantic. We
bent over this, outSpread on the deck
between us, and OlSOn's stubby fore
finger traced the prickings of two voy-
ages around the Orkneys into the
North sea. The chart revealed also.
although in somewhat less detail, the
German coastline. was far from sat
iSfied with this discovery, but nothing
better could be hoped for. The total
destruction of the charthouse forward
made this find n godsend indeed, and
we were fortunate In the fact that
Captain Hadley preserved his old
maps. Bidding Olson relieve the first
officer, remained there alone for some
minutes familiarizing myself with the
two charts, and outlining in my mind
the safest course to pursue. As I sat
there the rising wind began to hurl
rain against the closed glass OF the
port, and l could hear the splash of
the drops on the deck overhead An
oiled coat, belonging to the skipper,
hung dangling from n hook, and 1
slipped :. on, extinguishing the light
before closing and locking the door.
Leayord was alone at the table In the
cabin, which had already been cleared
Of Its dirtied dishes.
1 had advanced to the companion
steps when his voice stopped me.
Captain" he said In hoarse whis-
per, "was yon planning to &c forward
aloner'
Certainly"
Leayord glanced about uneasily.
well, wouldn't, sir. II was you
not tonight anyhow. The men are that
ugly there's no KNOWN what might
happen. Do you carry a gun, sir?"
why. no; saw one there In a
drawer Of Captain Hadleys desk. You
think the situation Is as bad as that ~
I'D go back and get 1t, SIR" he said
soberiy. "an' then keep to the after
deck till daylight"
An instant I stood staring at the
rain beating fiercely against the glass
Of the companion, then turned back
to the stateroom had just left, slipped
the revolver out Of the desk drawer
into my pocket, and re-entered the
cabin.
1 buttoned the oilskin closely about
my throat and stepped out on deck,
the wind driving the rain full into my
face, and. for the moment. binding me-