Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-11-29
CHAPTER xIII-(continued.)

"Amidship."
"Petty officers quarters. Well,
prefer having you aft. There is va
cant stateroom below. Walk ahead of
me to the cabin, and go down the
steps,"
you'll pay for this in the morn
ing"
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 onr'
Sullenly he left the rail, and crossed
the deck to the companion, with me
trailing step behind. I was aware
that Olson was leaning out over the
poop-ran watching our dim figures,
wondering, no doubt, what was occur
ring below. / did not venture to glance
upward, or remove my eyes from the
prisoner.
Below there" the mate called,
gruff1y, whats going on?"
"It is all right, Mr.. Olson" I an
swered, speaking quietly. I'll explain
later. Open the door, Mccain, and go
straight down."
He must have realized the utter fu-
tility of resistance, for he never even
turned his head, marching before me
down the stairs, and across the de-
serted cabin. / threw open the door
next to Bascom's stateroom, switched
on the light, and glanced within, keep
ing my grasp hard on McCann's arm.
His eyes met mine, black with a
towards hatred.
"By God if you wasn't armed"
swung him about in sudden disgust,
f1inging him forward, and he fell
sprawling on the deck, overturning the
stool. The next instant I had closed
the door and locked it, 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
1 returned to the open deck.
I climbed the ladder, joining Olson
at the port rail. Two men were at
the wheel, which bueked sufficiently
to keep them busy.
you are off a couple of points, lads, :"
I said. Cant you hold her any
closer?''
mot the way the sea is running,
sir" answered voice I recognized as
Simms', unless we raise a bit more
jib, and the mate thought it best not
to risk the canvas"
Fright, no doubt, but hold her down
the best you cam"
AYE, aye, sir"
The response was cheerful enough,
and I crossed the deck to where Olson
stood, in somewhat better frame of
mind.
you are not exactly holding to the
course, Mr.. Olson" said but not un-
kindly, land Simms tells me you
thought it best not to shake out an
other reef in the jib."
ut would only strain the old hooker
to buck there seas, SIR" he replied
land as you had no observation,
hardly thought a point or two would
make much difference"
Nor does it; only prefer to be
consulted on such matters hereafter
You must have had some other rea-
son?''
He glanced about to make sure OF
our distance from the men at the
wheel.
"Well, in way suppose did, sir, >
he. admitted slowly. 1.-THE watch for.
ward is sullen, an / had no desire tc
stir them up unless there was some
real need. It's Liverpoors turn or
deck. Mr.. Hollis, an he an never was
no friends If I was to give an order
and then had to go forward to make
'em hold. it might start up quite 6
row, sir"
s'Quite a sensible decision. 1t may
interest you to know that 1 have JUS
cut Liverpool's claws-his friend Nc
Cam is below, safely locked up
Exactly, sir. That was what &C
CURED on the main deck just now? H,
was very quiet about it, sir. Is i
true what hear that he is a real New
York millionaire? And you are not
real sailor, Mr.. Hollis, but just /.
yachtsmanT'
HAS Mccain been circulating tina
yarn forwardP
He has. sir. Simms just told m
the story at the wheel"
well. then. listen to me. MIR. Olson