Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-12

for him to attempt n circumstances led him
that way. lie was vindictive, cowardly and
lawless Yet could not drive wholly from
memory my earlier recollections OF the man
"A seemingly good-natured STORYTELLING
guest on the pleasure yacht OF millions
aire, The outward change was SO great my
mind could not fully grasp the facts, Surely
ne was not In reality the utter villain he
now coolly professed himself My eyes left
MS race and sought Liverpool who was
leering at me in drunken gravity.
rs this true. Red? Have you fellows
held council?"
Some ov us have" he said sulenly.
Jim. Dugan. Sims and me, we talked It
all over with Mister Mccain here, an
agreed what wus best. That's why the two
ov us come ter see you"
Unless ! consent to sign n report show
ing your desertion Of the ship justified, you
propose To sink the Indian Chief?'
You, an Bascom--both ov' yer"
And if we do sign-what them
you'll sail us within nifty miles ov' the
hea!e't open port and we'll take to the
hoats ana leave you to be picked up"
you'd report our condition ashore?'
"Nothn' was said about that Yer drift
would be southwark, an would soon bring
scr in the track o. ships besides there's
enough left ter handle the sails ter give
INC hooker steerage way. We figured yed
he safe unless there was big storm"
II was certainly cold -booded PROPOSE
ton. but the fellows tone was 50 matter
of-fact ] no longer doubted this to be
their final decision. Mccain, evidently sud
denly aroused to the danger of his posi-.
tion enCendcred by the violence OF the
crew, had schemed this method of escape
and gained their consent Liverpool and
White would be ripe for anything they
might hope to profit by, and the others
would be afraid TO oppose Knowing how
useless m nj
last card
See here, Red" and I drew a paper
from the drawer Of the desk "Do YOU
Fellows realize tho value Of this ship. and
the cargo below hatches?"
We don't give a damn"
Wen. you better, for it's a tidy little
sum. Now see here--Ill pledge the crew
nifty thousand dollars, to he divided as you
choose, II you will dock the Indian Chief
at Hamburg"
Who'll pay IT."
The owner, within ten days of landing" 4"
AN If we get snapped up by an English
or French cruiser on the way over, all we'd
ever get would be n jail That sorter plan
don't make no hit with me- nor my mates
We've talked it all over"
Mccain struck the desk with his fist
impatient at the discussion.
Your price is too low Hollis This is no
ptkers game. Red knows It is worth more
than nifty thousand to me to get back to
New York" He laughed sneerinCly you
might be able to do me up with your fists
in an open boat, my man. but when II comes
to showdown IN hard cash you're licked
off the boards every time. SO now. will
YOU help us quietly? or shall we have to
make you?'
What is il you desire of me-"
That you work out an observation once
day, and set the ships course as we di-
rect; then tell us when a certain point has
been reached"
what point"
Fifty miles northeast Of st. Johns"
And then what happens?"
we Will take to tho boats and lea re
you and your officers to do what YOU please
with the ship"
Are all the crew with you in this mutt
nous deal?"
CONTINUED MONDAY