Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-21
CON TR ABAND
A Romance of the North Atlantic
By RANDALL PARRISH

tn" look in his eyes convinced me that he
had not yet forgiven the rough treatment
accorded him a few hours before. The
memory made mo smile.
i've seen you when you looked happier,
puEan," / said carrlcssly but | imagine
you have nothing ON Jim White"
TO hell with yer" hc Erowled savagcly.
TT ! had my way yed have no tongue left
to get smart with. Get along now after yer
things
Dadc followed me into the captains state
room. He was obciient enough but re-
luctant to talk. no doubt afraid Of being
overheard by DuEau The latter remained
below as we passed out through the COM
panton onto the deck, and | wondered what
his orders were regarding the girl Sow
that they had me out Of the locked state
room. and the two of us peacefully sep
arated. the chances were strong that
Mccain would prevent our ever being
together again. Yet, in spite Of this fear my
heart was light and possessed new
feeling Of confidence and hope.
The conspirators were grouped on the
attcr-deck waiting my arrival and ! foI
lowed Dade up the ladder determined they
should perceive no change i'm my. demcanor,
winch might awaken suspicion. White, |
noticed, was not present, but Liverpool and
Dubois stood beside MCCann close to the
port rail, while the negro, Watson was at
the wheel. the whites of his eyes conspicuous
as he lifted them from the hinnaclc card.
McCann's manner was for from cordial as
| approached, but thought it best TO ignore
his churlishness
You were long enough coming perhaps
you still think yourself in commando" he
said savagely.
That would indeed be a stretch of the
imagination" | replied, holding my temper,
and motioning Dade where to place the
seNtant However | do not think / have
wasted any time-tt is still two minutes
of twelve" "
lie growled something but I busted my
self with the observation. only anxious 10
make II accurate enough for my own use
Whatever figures / reported, it was ahso-
lutciy necessary that ! know myself the
exact position Of the ship. Nor did | dare
to juggle them greatly I'm my report for
while Mccain was far from being an expert
navigator he yet possessed a Smattering of
knowledge, which rendered him dangerous
and he was very sure to check up my figures
with every care possible. lie stood beside
mo now, obscrvant Of each movement. his
few questions breathing suspicion. However
] fooled him by a point or two, sufficient
for my purpose, and wrote down the result
on the back Of an old envelope, while
slowing away the correct figures in my
own brain. The three compared the Dosi-
tlon given them with the chart. discussing
IL in low tones, while | crossed over to the
rail indifferently, and took a survey Of the
sea.
Although the air was balmy enough. the
wind from the southwest almost directly I'm
our teeth yet there was a look Of the north
about both sea and sky, which would have
convinced me that we were approaching
higher ATTITUDES without the aid of my OBJ
servation without being able to explain
the phenomenon the seaman instinCtivcly
recognizes northern waters.
Now, as my eyes swept the wide circle
of the horizon, vainly seeking the CLEAN OF
some distant sail, the heaving expanses of
water, the Over-arching sky were almost
alike in ColOr-a cold repellent blue, mist
ing into gray afar Off as though PARTICLES
of fog filed the atmosphere Indeed II
was this which interested me the most this
vague evidence Of floating vapor for knew
enough Of these seas to suspect that this
might prove the fOrerunner of storm, al
ready preparing TO sweep down upon us out
Of the more northern mystery. Others must
have noted the evidence also for Liver
pool crossed the deck TO where / stood leay-
ing McCann with the chart in his hands.
What do yer think o. that sorter mist
out yonder?" he asked, indicating the dis
tanCe by a sweep Of the hands and striving
to make his grun voice sound friendly.
1T may mean nothing" I answered clvilIy
enough. Il have never sailed these waters
but my guess would be that there is a storm
brewing to the north of US. What does the
barometer say?'
"A slight drop in the last two hours
nothin' much yet but il don't look good
10 me. We amt far of the coast accordin'
to the chart yet | suppose there's sea room
enough in every other direction"
Hundreds OF miles"
McCann joined us, the chart stilI half
open,
There seems 10 be plenty of harbors
along this Newfoundland coast ,llne.r he
said do you know what they are lRe?"
"Only what the map says The whole
coast is rugged and rocky dangerous for
any vessel larger than a fishing schooner
There are Government mail boats calling at
those smaller towns during the summer
How far are we to the north of ST.
John's?"
l used a pair OF compasses from where
had marked red cross on. the chart.
Two hundred and nifty miles, approxi-
mately"
(which makes us about due east Of this
White Bay indicated here?"
Yes but there is not even the name OF
town given; all that country Il Wilder
ness take n Why do you asls2 thoneht
vou lad decided on ST. John'se
80 we have ~ no pleasant tones ana