Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1918-02-08
Continued from last week.

eXpanSe OF sea about us vacant or
either sail or smoke. AS noon APP
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 bit doubtful of my
facility. No one appeared to take any
deep interest in the event, although |
noted a 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 deternin-
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-
manned silent as / approached, and, as
| turned and faced forward, my eyes
observed a largely increased grouping
of men about the fOrecastle, and all
staring aft.
yord?' asked. HAS there been any
call for all hands?"
NO, sir" he answered, his own gaze
shifting. ''It's the change of watch,
and the second mates men haven't
gone below yet. Maybe the cook is
SLOW, or else they are a bit curious to
ind out where the ship is, sir. Would
you mind giving them the tigures?"
mot at all; the wheelsman would
spread the news fast enough as soon
as relieved. We are at fifty-two de-
gress, thirty-five 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, 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
tterranean, more in line with the
Azores, I Sl.u,i1I say. That account IN
for the deserted sea--we're out of tho
beaten track"
"HOw'S the coal, sir?'
'All but one bunker full yet; ven
not steam heavy except tonight"
PERSONALLY don't see any objection
to making a try of it," Leayord added,
"but 1 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" 1 said determined 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
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.
'WeII, men," said, wasting no time
in soft phrasing, 1--WE called you aft
for a straight talk. You shipped on
the Indian Chief for voyage to Ham,
burg"
''WhO said we did," a voice inter-
rupted. 1.-The most of us was Shang-
haied and brought aboard drunk"
''That has nothing to do with me-" /
replied sharply. 81 was not the skip
per then but / am now. Your names
are on the papers regularly enough,
and the only thing l need to explain
Is the necessity for change in our
sailing course. AS most of you know,
war has broken out in Europe since
this snip cleared from Baltimore. The
chances are about a hundred to one
that we would be captured, or sunk, if
we tried to reach our port through the
Channel"
''By whom?" 1t was Liverpool who
spoke.
English or French warships."
''It's d Dutch cargo then we've:
got in the hold That's the way I fig.
Ired it. Well; now look here, SIR
Smitz is the only Dutchman aboard,
an the rest Ov us don't take kindly to-
that sort O. job"
AOu IC oCiAOAlhCAt3 cuu SlippCu Oh
this voyage before ever war was de-.
clared. Now will you listen to me I'M.
til 1 get through"
''Ah, let him talk, Red" someone in.
terjected.
/ outlined my plan in as few words
as possible, and they seemed to listen
respectfully enough. only occasionally
interfering a question. Liverpool did
not speak at all, nor Jim White, who,
had pushed his way forward, until
concluded. Then the latter asked sud-
denly:
"Would you mind if couple Of us
had a glance at that chart? Maybe
we'd see it clearer then"
Certainly, you can all look at it.
Mr.. Olson, take the chart down there,
and point out the lines so the men can
see where we are"
They crowded about, endeayoring to
gain a glimpse, although probably not
half dozen among them possessed the
faintest conception of what the vari-
Gus markings signified. Liverpool and