The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-11-23
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worse bunch of sea scum In any TO-
Castle than we've got aboard here. sir"
"They took hold, all right"
AYE, for the once; they're a bit
dazed yet, an have had no time to talk
1t over among themselves"
"We'll hear from them later, you
think2
Tomorrow, sir, or perhaps to-
night, as soon as they learn for sure
the course we're steering. They are
dead set against Hamburg"
"Why Hamburg, Mr.. Leayord?"
"Well, sir. 1 don't just know myself,
Tor L was the bosun, and the lads never
talked to me very freely. From all I've
heard, however, it's largely caused by
what that fat bloke yer brought aboard
with yer had to say about this dirty
war breakin' out. I don't know the
buffers name, sir; but hear he claims
to be a millionaire, an Is willin' ter
spend a lot O. coin, just to be took
back ter New York. Cookie told me
that he and the guy that goes by the
name of Liverpool had quite a talk"
Liverpool Red-yes, I've heard of
him; he's the mems leader forward"
Likely so; but there's others of
the same kidney. II was you, sir,
I'd have a talk with Olson when he
>come on deck again. He'll tell you
more'n 1 can"
l stood silent a moment, staring out
into the black void.
II presume, Mr.. Leayord, / can con-
fidently rely on your loyalty in case
trouble deveiops?"
"You sure can, Sir"
"Ar6 DlsonT
He'll face it like man; and al
though Masters is bit OF fool, I'm
guessing he can be counted on In
pinch"
Are there any others?"
That's hard to say. sir, ofThand.
haven't been shipmatcs with them. or
with any o this crew long enough yet
to size 'em up; but there are few
men forward who don't chum none
with Liverpool's crowd. Olson would
know 'em better than l."
'Well, the sooner we learn exactly
how we stand in this matter the better
I'll relieve you as soon as | have
n bite To eat"
In spite of its general dlngIness Of
paint and furnishings, the main cabin
had look of coZineSs and comfort as
L entered from the black gloom of the
decks. Bascom and Miss Vera occu-
pied seats on one side, while Olson
washed and brushed into state of
rare discomfort, sat alone opposite. A
Gl Inn nl,a II.
mouth partially concealed by strag-
Cling mustache, and who answered to
the name OF Dade, acted as steward
hut the boy, Moon was doing most of
the work. I drew out the single va
cant chair and sat down.
We'll" / said pleasantly, breaking
the rather awkward silence, "I do not
exactly know where we are going, but
we are on our way"
"The sea is rising, I Judge" re-
marked Bascom.
'There is every promise of a rough
night, but nothing to worry over. Dade,
why did you set the table only for
four? There Is another passenger
aboard"
HE has refused to mess aft, sir"
"Oh, he hasl Well, possibly, 1 may
have something to say as to that. Did
he give any reason?"
Dade endeavored TO hide a grin. "Not
exactly, II reason, sir" he answered
softly, "but l took 1t from what he said
that he was not overly proud o. the
way he wus marked up. sir"
| devoted a few minutes to the meal
hut when Dade departed on an errand
forward, decided l might just as we'll
discuss the situation frankly.
81 am beginning to fear" said qui-
city, that Mr.. Fergus Mccain intends
to make us all Inc trouble possible, and
is even now behind most Of the dis
satisfaction on board. Do you know
anything definite, Mr. OlsonT
The mate paused in his eating, with
knife and fork uplifted.
II had not heard, sir. May I ask
II he is rich?"
Quite so; he was guest on the
yacht Esmeralda. Now that I have
answered these questions, Mr.. Olson"
and 1 stared into his rather emotion
less face intently, perhaps you will be
kind enough to answer mine."
81 would know what talk" he re-
turned stubbornly. "He, this Mr.. Nc
Cam, he offers ten thousand dollars
to be put back In New York"
$50 that's his camel Who brought
the word forwardT
Cookie, I think, SIR. overheard |