The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1918-07-13

There was q moments argument be-
fore he returned to his position at the
rail.
Il dunno as yer would be much bet
ter off along with us than yer are thar
In the dinghy" he called indifferently.
FOR, In manner o. speakin, we're no
more than wreck. l reckon thar
amt no one among yer who knows how
to navigator"
l stood up, following my hands to
make my voice carry more clearly.
THAT Is not very sailorlike speech,
my friend" l shouted. yet striving to
conceal anger. But as you put hui
mainly on those terms, I'll answer you.
l have been in the merchant service,
and commanded Ships"
well? Is that SO? Sail. or steam?"
"Steam-the old Atlas line. Do you
take us aboard?"
He did not answer directly, but had
lost his air Of Indifference, striding
| forward to the end of the poop, and
| giving orders to the men forward. The
black heads adjoining the forecastle
rail disappeared, and a moment later
the round, red face again appeared
AYE, We'll take yer, SIR" he called
down. touch Of Difference in his
hoarse voice. yell understand the
trouble once yer come aboard. Yer
all able to climb. reckon?"
I'VE have woman with u.s."
H1f'11 no y,it
swing, SIR
l turned and looked at her: then up
the straight steel sides looming before
us, but before I could speak, she had
made decision.
Il can go up the ladder, Mr.. Hollis"
she said firmly. Il am not afraid"
"All right" 1 called. Lower awav
and send man down to steady 1t be-
low"
The little dinghy swept in easily.
and. Under my directions, Mccain awk-
wardly Tended it off from scraping
against the steel sides. AS the rope
ladder Strengthened. caught the lower
coil, and held 1t firmly. Down the rat
lines. hand over hand, until he dropped
sprawling into the boat, came one of
the crew-a coal black negro. The
fellow above. now standing on the
rail and clinging to backstay, roared
down Mt him.
Haul her in, Simms; haul her In.
That's more like it. Now hold all
aut. Send up the lady first, captain:
,here'll be hand to help her in the
.hains."
She did not hesitate, grasping the
ope firmly in her hands as the negro
md l lifted her high enough to get
Oothold.
"You are all right. Miss veraT"
EYES," she called down.
"Then go up. but hold tight; the
essel may roll"
Mccain followed, too glad to thus
scape me to refuse, yet plainly enough
alf dead with fear. AS soon as saw
is legs dangling, while the seamen
bove dragged him inboard, I drew
lyself up to the lower ratline, leaving
ne negro alone to hold the line.
Hey, above there" shouted. what
hall we do with the boat?"
Let her go; there is no room to stow
on deck. Come aboard, Simms"
We went up together, the ladder
vingfng dizzily to our movements.
he voice Of the man who seemed to be
command growled down from the
Bop:
Haul in the ladder and stow It;
zen go forward and get some o. that
file overheard afore dark. This way,
ptain; I'd like private word with
n afore yer go below"
There were perhaps a dozen men in
ew. a typical freighter's crew,
dyed, mostly foreign faces, two Of
EN- negroes. They worked silently,
d then shuffled forward, without ex-
biting the slightest interest in my
essence. or giving glance aft.
Il am very glad to welcome you on
ard the Indian Chief, captain-Cap-
n
Hollis" I answered shortly. "And
ur manner"
Masters"
In commando
We'll, yes, in way. I reckoned
ia want the whole story, an tibet
ngs he'd better be explained afore
: went below"
OF course: but first a question or
D, MIR. Masters. What has become
my compartment"