American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-11-16

uHtluot money IN THIS game Win a iulf
chance TO win. l reckon gold, no mat
ter where Il comes from, would look
good 10 those devils forward"
Scarcely a manly act on our part
to suggest such a thing"
Well, l don't know about that, sir"
he insisted stubbornly. II reckon old
man Darlington would be willing
enough to pay the price, rather than
have his girl left IN the hands Of those
fellows. They'll be no lambs II they
ever get control Of the ship. But may
be you know best, sir"
l left him and walked forward 10
whore l could look down On the main
deck. AS deeply as | despised the
thought OF ever resorting to this last
suggestion made by Leayord. yet /
could not remain entirely Indifferent
to rs possibilities. II matters on board
were, indeed, as serious az he pictured
them, our situation was far from pleas
ant. To keep on probably meant bat
tic 70 preserve the ship, and Involved
not only our own rough handling. even
possible death In the melee, but also
unspenkable horror 10 the woman left
alone, and unprotected. on board. What
would be her fate II we failed to up
hold discipline, and those unbrldled
ruiilans once obtained control Of the
vessel? The thought staggered me.
Yet | could reach no other conclu-
sion except 10 continue the voyage,
meeting It's problems as they present
ed themselves. There was no turning
buck now. All hope lay In keeping Me
Cam prisoner, entirely isolated from
his confederates, and dealing with the
men forward with a harsh frmness
sufficient 10 strike terror into their
souls. The slightest movement of re
volt ON their part must be my signal
for action.
The day held fair, with IA stiff breeze
blowing over the port quarter. and the
expanse Of sen about us vacant OF
either sail or smoke. AS noon APP
preached | had Dade fetch the sextant
from the captains staterOOm, and took
my observation with considerable
care. going below to work out my fig
ures alone, as the many years passed
ashore had left me Il bit doubtful Of my
facility. No n appeared TO take any
deep interest In the event. although I
noted a group OF men forward watch
+ ing as l disappeared.
with nothing to guide me, or check
my figures with on the chart. l went
over them twice TO be assured of nc
/ curacy. finally marking IN position
as carefully ms possible, and determin-
/ Ing our future course. Lenyord had
just been called for his watch. and
. both officers were upon the after deck.
waiting Tor my appearance. They re-
malned silent as | approached, and, as
, | turned and faced forward. my eyes
o observed u largely increased grouping
OF men about the forecnstle. and all
staring aft.
o Are both watches on deck. Mr.. Lea
= yord2' | asked Has there been any
4 call for all hands2'
"No, sir" he answered. his own gnze
y shifting. Its the change Of watch.
and the second mates men haven't
$ gone below yet. Maybe the cook Is
j. slow, or else they are a bit curious tc
h find out whore the ship IS. Sir Would
q you mind giving them the hguresY'
"Not at all the wheelsmnu would
r spread the news fast enough as soon
s rs relieved. We are az hfty-two de
gress. thirty-tye minutes west lOngi
: tude. and forty degrees, ten minute,
north latitude. approximately"
i "And where does that put us from
. New York;"
k About i've hundred miles. O llttl,
p north OF east Halifax is the nearest
= port. two hundred and scyenty-h v,
miles nor nor by west. We are be
tween the North Atlantic steamer
/. lanes and the direct course 10 the Med
IS %itcrranean. more In line with tn,
n Azores. l should say That accounts
y fer the deserted sea-we're out OF th'
u beaten track"
"How's the coal. STRIP
"All but one bunker hull yet; wen
y not steam heavy except tonight"
Personally l don't see any objection
to making a try OF H." Leayord added
hut / don't know how the crew ma.
feel. This isn't exactly the sort o
voyage they shipped for
pr we may as well test them nrSt a
- last" l said determined TO have il owe
with. Roth watches are mostly o
deck. Have the bosun call them aft.
The fellows responded Quickl
enough. n few slouching along in pr,
- tended Indifference. but the majorit
70 exhibiting a real interest. LiverpOC
Red stood directly below me. a step |
advance ~ his mafeS His can bfd hi
a. eyes, but there was an ugly. defaI
a grin on his face. which angered me.
well. men" l said, wasting no tim