The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-08-23
"Crcr, Now on You VIII Mess Aft-'

you want TO Try out whether cau
handle NY crew or not, so to 1t. Bosun
como hero" %
The E'un named separated himself
from the others, and slowly climbed
the ladder. He WIS II big, muscular
fellow, with red hair, clipped close to
his head, ard Intelligent blue eyes.
"Your name is Lcayord?"
"Ayc, aye, sir"
"rhls is your first voyage on the
Indian Chlef| ni
"No, sir; my third"
every good, Mr.. Lcayorl; from now
On you Will mess MT, and rank as first
.hntc, serving watch and watch with
mo. Is there nc,n,nn forward capable
OF filling the second mates bcrthT
lie ran his eyes over the group b.
low rather doubtf'llly.
"olson might, sir" he answered
tlnalIy., "lle Is sober, and good sea-
man." -'T,H' ,f,trf
"Stcp forward, Olson.'
Tho mass Of men parted slightly, and
I man was pushed to the front. He
possessed a strongly marked Swedish
face, smooth shaveil and almost boyish.
"HOw OH arc you, Olsoh?"
"Twcnty.eight, sIr."4'rE.
''Nou Know the sea ~, ~.
Twelve years in the, fo'castlc, sir."
IAN right; I'm going to give you Il
chance to make good MS second officer
Mr.. Olson Now. lads. that's all for
the prestht:. I tdkc 1t you are sailor
mcn, and know what that sky means,
The chances arc ten to one Wen have
a storm. before midnight, and We'll
meet 1t better with clear decks. Get
forward, all hands, and clear away
that rltlle---llycly now"
They We're a hit slow about 1t, grum,
bling among themselves. Olson spoke
once or twice, although I could not
hear exactly what was said, and the
power ofAsca discipline finally con
Quered. Within ten minutes they were
working cheerfully enough, and Lea
yord had ceased his gruff ordering, and
stood silent beside the leo rail. II
pleased me to observe that Olson took
hold along with the others, and did his
full share of the work. leaned far,
thor over to gain view of the cabin en-
trance, but Bascom had disappeared
The girl, however, held her place, and
glanced up, her eyes meeting mine.
Gould come up there. Mr.. Hol
LISP" she Questioned.
"Certainly; as a passenger this deck
Is free for your use. Take the star
board ladder" F..
gave her my hand, and helped hel
to grasp the rail. She glanced about
into the mist.
GLOW gray and, sombcr 1t Is" she
said soberly. "The fog Is almost like
a hand clutchlng at you."
"rhe glass is falling rapidly" I an
swered, "and l suspect storm |!
hrooding behind that curtain: that l.
why l am so anxious to make all clear
What do you think Of the crew."
She glanced aside toward the mo
tlonless negro at the wheel, and thel
ut the men shutting about their work
IL hardly know; they--they lool
awfully rough an'-and disreputable
Weren't some Of thenl drunk"
mo doubt. yes. Don't worry, Mis-
Vera. Those ,&'ngs, are freQuen
enough on shlpboard. We will hav'
these lads thoroughly tanned within an
other twenty-four hours, There Is neve
a mutiny without some leader and I
better cause. am working unde
your orders, you know"
! She glanced up quickly into my face
"Under my orders? No, not that
Mr.. Hollis. You told me, it would b.
J, your choice; merely granted permits
sion" N.rs~
Your permission was equivalent t
an order, I so accepted It."
'But that is hardly fair. Not that
regret the choice, for could neve
!; have forgiven myself II my seltishnes
had ruined Philip Bascom. He is reall!
ar old friend"
80 l supposed: very interestin,
man in spite Of his misfortune"
"Hc was, indeed. before that bulle
wrecked him. 1t is sad: and to thinl
that the one who shot him Is sctuall.
;, on hoard-hiS guest" $50 s..
Not alto.sthsr4 - -slcassant Touch