Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-07
NTR ABAND
A Romance of the North Atlantic
BY RANDALL PARRISH

cabin, as she was not visible the boy Noop
alone appearing below me on his way IN
the COOKS galley. As deeply as I desniso1
'ne thought or ever resorting to this last
suggestion made by Leayord yet ! could
rot remain entirely Indifferent TO It's nosgi-
oiities IL matters on board were, indeed
az serious as he pictured them our situa-
tlon was far from pleasant. TO keen ON
probably meant n battle to preserve tho
ship and involved not only our own r,uch
handling, even possible death in the melee
but also unspeakable horror to the woman
left alone and unprotected on board What
would be her fate, II we failed to uphold
discipline and those unbridled ruffians oncc
obtained control Of the vessel? The thought
staggered me
McCann--even if he desired 70 do So and
! sincerely doubted the desire-would bc
utterly helpless in the grip of thore lawlcee
spirits whom he had unclaimed They
would merely laugh at him Even If
through the influence Of his wealth he re-
tanned supremacy and measure of control
would not the fellow himself use his power
for evil?
The suggestion he had dropped of a desire
To gain influence over the girl. and thro,,rh
her, profit by her fathers millions lcrt ~,
my mind little doubt as to what he yyu,,.d
attempt openly II the opportunity presented
itself. And If he was left alone with h,r
|
represented her social C'ass; the only nur
to whom she could hope to appca, tbcro
was chance for him to erase from, nor
| mind the memory Of past brutality and
| build UP new conception of his character
| by becoming her protector. Nor did / douht
! he had the subtlety to do this, and plav tho
| part to absolute perfection. The man vac
| not devoid of brains or the ways of social
| refinement r. under the stress of d.npcr
| and the hardships Of unacCustomcd environ.
| ment he had reverted to his true typc mo
| still retained the veneer Of outward for,,,
and could easily assume. if occasion war
| ranted, tho semblance of a gentleman
| To my thought he was the most to ho
| feared of all those aboard. and the lcost ,o
| be trusted. Long sea training had ,aurb,
| me how efficiently to deal with the others d.
they were Of a type easily understood. to no
| mastered by stern discipline and driyen to
| their duty but this fellow Mccain wcaitbv
| ruined by fattery. controlled by unbridIcd
| desire, would never respond to such meth
| DDS. Neither persuasion nor fear ,vouId
| suffice to turn him from his course or
change his bitter hatred into respect
Yet could reach no other conclusion cv
| cept to continue the voyage. meeting It's
| problems as they presented themselves
| There was no turning back now. had
pledged my word, openly announced nv in
| tention forward well as aft and to -,
tract would brand my action as coward,
| Once | relaxed my grip. confessed my weak
ness. 1t would cost me all influence over tbe
crew. 1t would give them the upper hand
and be equivalent to complete surrender
| All hope lay In keeping Mccain prisoner
entirely Isolated from his confederatcs, and
| dealing with the men forward with a harsh
| flrmness sufficient to strike terror into their
| souls. The slightest movement of revolt on
their part must be my signal for action
| There could he no compromising, no hesi-
| fancy no tenderness. The fate of the shin
the very life of Vera Darlington. rested on
| my decision and the swift resourcefuness
| OF my action. felt equal to the task
| The morning wore away with no demon
| stration OF any kind, the Indian chief bowl
| Ing along freely on the course set, but at
| half speed. The watch was busted at vari-
| Gus tasks about decks. and seemingly eX-
| hioited no interest in anything except their
| duties. | watched them closely. but coud
| detect no sign Of uneaslness or conspiracy
| None OF the watch below emerged from the
| forccastle nor did the men collect in groups
| or exhibit any special interest in affairs aft
| Nor could | detect any evidence Of drunk