The Pulaskian., 1917-11-23
CHAPTER XVIII.

not have known any especial change had taken place on board the ship Outwardly everything appeared about as usual as I emerged behind Liver pool, with McCann trailing behind. The latter paused to insert the key into the lock of the door, and I indulged in one swift glance about the apartment.
 "Bascom occupies his own state room"
 Liverpool nodded ungraclously enough.
 And Miss Darlington retains hers?'
 "We are not here to be interviewed, Hollis," broke in McCann sharply. "Go along on deck, and keep your tongue to yourself"
 Realizing that silence was my best weapon, I made no response, but climbed the stairs. The decks were clean-had evidently been scrubbed that morning, and nowhere could I perceive any signs that the ship was in the hands of mutineers. Liverpool gripped my shoulder.
 up the ladder with you" he or dered. There's too little time left for gaping about here."
 There were two men at the wheel, although one could have attended to the service, as the ship was at half speed, and the sea far from heavy. I recognized both faces, but couldn't re- call their names; the shorter fellow, deeply pitted, exhibited a fresh scar where I had struck him with my boot heel the night before. He grinned good naturedly, and pointed to the bruised flesh, as caught his eye. White was evidently the temporary officer in charge, and the brutality of his face was clearly revealed in the bright light as he leaned against the rail. How ever, I had scarcely time to more than glance about, as the sun was already at the zenith. The others stood around silent, watching as I figured out our position on the back of an old enve- lope. I took my time at it, not only from my own anxiety to be accurate, but also because of other thoughts in my mind, yet the calculation was con- pleted at last, and I lifted my eyes to McCann's gaze.
 ''Well?" he said.
 gave him the figures.
 "You are sure this is correct?"
 "As sure as can be; the chronom- eter hasn't been corrected since the ship left Baltimore; except for pos sible variations on that account, the figures are right. Spread out the chart, and I'll show you where we are within ten miles. When did you furl the sails?"
 "After we started up the engines again; while we had all hands on deck.'
 ''Well," I announced, after a mo- ment of measuring, "that would tally pretty close with the figuring. Our present position is just about here, where put the red cross"
 McCann took the compasses from my hand and began to measure distances.
 1.-TWO hundred and ten miles to the northern extremity of Newfoundland is that it?'
 "A trifie more, I should say"
 "This is St. Johns here; what south ing does that giveY
 "Over two hundred"
 He studied the map a few moments longer, the three men talking earnest ly while left them, and walked over to the starboard rail. It was of no particular interest to me where they decided to go-the one port meant the same to me as another. McCann got up, rolling the chart in his hand.
 'There is no use, then" he called, s'of our going farther north?"
 turned and faced him.
 Mot if your port is St. Johns; the course would be sou'-sou'west. Is there anything more wanted of me at present."
 McCann turned and spoke to the others. both answering him in low tones.
 "No," he said stiffly. "We will send for you if you are needed again on deck"
 q am expected to keep belowf"
 Below, and to your stateroom. If you attempt to converse with any of the crew, you will be locked in."
 passed them without word, and clambered down the ladder to the main deck, aware of the grinning faces of the men at the wheel. Humihating as the situation was, this was no time for resistance, or the exhibiting of spirit of revolt. White crossed over to the rail and watched until vanished with in the companion. realized his pres ence without so much as glancing up.
 There came to me, as I paused at the foot of the stairs, sudden eagerness to speak to Vera, to explain to her the