The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-11-13

English and French vessels are no
doubt gathering along the coast like
birds of prey"
Ihe German navy is strong"
yes; but not strong enough to cope
with both Great Britain and France
For while, however, they NAV sue
ceed In keeping open passage through
the North sea. That would be your
only hope, for the English channel will
be closed already. The Indian Chief
sails under the United States fiag?"
EYES,"
That might prevent search, pro-
viding YOU had good explanation
ready, especially as you left port be-
fore war was declared. However. spies
are everywhere, and the nature of the
cargo aboard may be known. If so,
every cruiser on watch has already
been notified by wireless"
He arose to his feet facing me. his
slender hands opening and closing
nervously, his face white and drawn.
Il realize all this, Captain Hollis"
he said, his voice trembling, "and also
tnat there still remains ii chance Ss
success. I like your face, your man.
ner OF fronting things. l think YOU are
the very man whom God has sent to
me in this emergency. Listen: tell
you l am absolutely ruined unless
1 complete this voyage. am young
man, not over thirty, but my health Is
gone. You can see 1 am practically q
physical wreck, yet am the only sup-
port OF an aged mother and three
younger children. Two years ago no
one had brighter prospects in life than
/; now am struggling desperately for
mere existence. A little more than a
year ago met with u serious accident:
L need not go into details-the result
you can see by looking at me. For
eight months I was in hospital I'm
New York, lingering between life and
death. There was no one to attend to
my business affairs, and everything
went to the dogs. When I got out
again all that was left me was this
vessel, reputation for business abil-
ity, and few thousand dollars. This
contract came to me as a godsend; it
was so arranged that / was able to
carry 1t with little help. If success
full, 1T will put me on my feet again."
you are not GermanY
"Not drop of Teuton blood is I'm nv
veins, so far as l know. 1 never
dreamed Of the possibility of war, or
even asked the nature Of the ship
mentS."
IL understand. OF course ii makes
little difference where ones sympa-
thies chance To be in n case like this"
L put my hand on his shoulder, and
looked into his eyes. you have been
perfectly frank with me; now I am
going to be just as frank with you.
L believe your story, and my whole
inclination is to stand by and help
you through"
you will !" he interrupted eagerly,
MS eyes glowing. you mean you are
going to make the attemptT
mo, L didn't say that, my friend
only that such is my natural inclina-
tion. If there was only my own peril,
my own time, to be considered, would
shake hands with you instantly, and
accept the adventure. But there is
another on board this ship to be con-
sidered-a woman. whose comfort and
wishes cannot ignore"
"But she could be transshipped
(which would at once reveal our
whereabouts and probable course. Any
vessel speaking us would make report
as soon as 1t reached harbor. Our
only safe method Of procedure will be
to keep far enough away from any
passing vessel during daylight to
escape recognition, and to run the main
European routes by night. If we so
much as speak ship, 1t will double
our peril Of capture; the wireless is
our greatest enemy"
"Then .u;hat Is Ii YOU propose doing %