Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-02
CON TR Alb AND
A Romance of the North Atlantic
By RANDALL PARRISH

stand. Take that seriously, Mccain. You
are endeavoring to inCite mutiny on board
and. under the law of the sea, ! can kill
you for IT. Now. confess my feeling to-
ward you is not a tender one, but there is
going to be no bloodshed if | can avoid it.
Where have you bunked?"
"Amidship"
Petty officers quarters. Well, I prefer
having YOU aft There is a vacant state
cabin and go down the steps"
you'll pay for this in the morning
DO not worry about the morning my
man. Trust me to take care of your friends
forward when the time comes This is not
my first voyage. Move on -
He could not have seen the expression
| on my face because of the darkness, but
the tone of my voice, the sharp grip of my
| fingers on his shoulder must have told him
| was in no mood for further discussion
Sulenly he left the rail and crossed the
deck to the companion, with me trailing
step behind | was aware that Olson was
leaning out over the poop-rail watching
our dim figures. wondering no doubt what
was occurring below. did not venture to
glance upward or remove my eyes from
| the prisoner
Below there" the mate called down gruf-
| fly, what's going on?"
| ut is all right, Mr.. Olson" | answered,
| speaking quietly. "I'll explain later. open
/ the door McCann and go straight down"
He must have realized the utter futility
| of resistance, for he never even turned his
head marching before me down the stairs
| and across the deserted cabin. ! threw
| open the door next to Bascoms stateroom,
| switched on the light and glanced within,
| keeping my grasp hard on McCann's arm.
| The place was bare enough. a single bunk,
| with ample covering. and wooden stool.
Go on in" said shortly.
| His eyes met mine. black with a coward 8
| hatred.
| by God, If you weren't armed"
| I swung him about in sudden disgust,
| finging him forward, and he fell sprawing
| on the deck overturning the stool The
next instant ! had closed the door and
| locked 1t. dropping the key into my jacket
| pocket. There had been little noise, scarcely
| enough to arouse the sleepers below, and
| it was with a feeling of decided relief that
| ! returned to the open deck This easy
| capture of Mccain would greatly simplify
| matters, Now. at least. we had time In
! which 10 prepare for emergencies and solid
| ify our forces for the defense of the ship,
| The rain had ceased. the lightning show
| ing only ftfully along the horizon. There
were riffs in the clouds overhead and I
| could perceive the glimmer of star or
| two. The sea, however, remained heavy.
but with a steader roll to the great comb
| ers.
| No movement attracted my eyes on the
| main deck, and ! climbed the ladder. join
| ing Olson at the port rail Two men were
| at the wheel, which hucked sufficiently TO
| keep them busy. / could not distinguish
| their faces in the gloom, but paused 10
| glance at the compass.
you are off couple Of points. lad"
said Cant you hold her any closer"
| Not the way the sea is running, sir, "
answered a voice | recognized as Simms's
, unless we raise bit more jib, and the
A.. Ia hast ~ riglE th.
| vas"
Right, no doubt. but hold her down the
best you can"
AYE, aye. sir"
The response was cheerful enough, and
| crossed the deck to where Olson stood
in somewhat better frame of mind.
you are not exactly holding to the
| course MIR. Olson" ] said but not un-
kindly, "and Simms tells me you thought Il
best not to shake out another reef in the
| jib,"
"It would only strain the old hooker tc
buck these seas SIR" he replied. "and as
| YOU had no observation | hardly thought a
| point or two would make much difference,
Nor does 1t; only | prefer to be con-
suited on such matters hereafter. You must
! have had some other reason?'
| He glanced about to make sure of oui
| distance from the men at the wheel
We'll, in a way, l suppose l did, sir, :
| he admitted slowly THE watch forward
is sullen, an / had no desire to stir then
up unless there was some real need. It's
Liverpools turn on deck, Mr. Hollis, an
he an / never was no friends. II ! was
| 10 give an order. and then had to go for
ward to make 'em take hold, It might star
| UP quite a row, sir"
Quite a sensible decision II may in
| terest you to know that / have Just Gu
| Liverpool's claws-his friend Mccain is be
low. safely locked up"
| Exactly, sir. That was what occurred
| on the main deck just now, He was yer,
quiet about II, sir"
.Yes: fighting doesn't seem to be Nc
| Cams trade. He prefers to pay others [,
do that for him. But the fellow Is no les
dangerous on that account, Mr.. Olson"
Il know that kind. sir, and the secon,
mate hesitated. ''Is it true what | hea
that this one is real New York million
aire?"
Hes rich enough, If that is what 70,
mean"
And you are not a real sailor, Mr.. Hol
lis. but Just a yachtsman?"
HAS McCann been circulating that var,
forward?"
.'He has. sir. simms Just told me tn
story at the wheel"
well, then listen to me, Mr.. Olson, an,
then see to It that the word gets to IN
crew. / was member of yachting part
when we suffered shipwreck. but i'm n
yachtsman. left the sea some years since
|.lt