The Pulaskian., 1917-11-09

swered, leaning against the rail, his eyes on the distant bank of cloud, "only maybe we might play money 1 against money in this game, with fair chance to win. reckon gold, no mat ter where it comes from, would look good to those devils forward
 Scarcely manly act on our part to suggest such thing"
 ''Well, don't know about that sir" he insisted stubbornly. T 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 if they ever get control of the ship. But may be you know best, sir"
 left him and walked forward to where I could look down on the main deck. AS deeply as I despised the thought of ever resorting to this last suggestion made by Leayord, yet I could not remain entirely indifferent to its possibilities. If matters on board were, indeed, as serious as he pictured l ant. To keep on probably meant a bat tie to preserve the ship, and involved not only our own rough 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 if we failed to up- | hold discipline, and those unbridled ruffians once obtained control of the vessel? The thought staggered me. Yet I could reach no other conclu- sion except to continue the voyage, meeting it's problems as they present. ed themselves. There was no turning back now. All hope lay in keeping Me- Cam prisoner, entirely isolated from his confederates, and dealing with the men forward with a harsh firmness sufficient to 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 a stiff breeze blowing over the port quarter, and the expanse of sea about us vacant of either sail or smoke. AS noon ap- | 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 a bit doubtful of my facility. No one appeared to take any deep interest in the event, although noted group of men forward watch ing as disappeared.
 With nothing to guide me- or check my figures with on the chart, I went over them twice to be assured of ac- curacy, finally marking our position as carefully as possible and determin- ing our future course. Leayord had | just been called for his watch, and both officers were upon the after deck, waiting for my appearance. They re- mained silent as I approached, and, as l turned and faced forward, my eyes observed largely increased grouping of men about the forecastle, and all | staring aft.
 1 Are both watches on deck, MT. Lea yord?" I asked. Has there been any call for all hands?'
 "No, sir" he answered, his own gaze shifting. ''Its the change of watch, and the second mates men haven't gone below yet. Maybe the cook is slow, or else they are bit curious to find out where the ship is, sir. Would you mind giving them the figures?"
 Mot at all; the wheelsman would l Co as relieved. We are at fifty-two de- | gress, thirty-fve minutes west longi- tude, and forty degrees, ten minutes north latitude, approximately"
 And where does that put us from New York?"
 About five hundred miles, a little north of east; Halifax is the nearest | port, two hundred and seventy-fve miles nor nor by west. We are be- tween the North Atlantic steamer | lanes and the direct course to the Med | iterranean, more in line with the Azores, should say. That accounts | for the deserted sea-were out of the | beaten track"
 Flows the coal, sir?"
 "All but one bunker full yet; we'll not steam heavy except tonight"
 Personally I don't see any objection to making try of it." Leayord added, but don't know how the crew may feel. This isn't exactly the sort of voyage they shipped for"
 ''We may as well test them first as last" said determin, ! to have it over with. Both watches are mostly on deck. Have the bosun call them aft"
 The fellows responded quickly enough, few slouching along in pre- tended indifference, but the majority l exhibiting a real interest. Liverpool Red stood directly below me, step in advance of his mates. His cap hid his eyes, but there was an ugly, defiant grin on his face, which angered me. HWaII nnap v caid xvacfinO po firna