Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1918-04-11
"My Heavens, Olson; There's Not a
Sailor on Deck"

"My Heavens, Olson; There's Not a
Sailor on Deck"
On DECK 1 guspeu.
mo, sir; 1t beats me; I've been at
sea a long time, sir, but I never see
nothin' like this-they amt left, fer
the boats are all there, an the wheel
Is dashed. She's just a sailin' herself"
There's no sign of any trouble
aboard. Why, those decks are scrubbed
like a Dutchwoman's floor. Hurry up,
Leayord; the schooner seems deserted.
Come on, mate, we shall have to clear
this mystery up"
We sprang down on the deck, and
the others came tumbling over the rail
after US, each face expressive of mys-
LITIGATION. Vera touched my sleeve,
her eyes searching mine.
"What can have ]happened?"
Il do not in the least know" I an
swered. "The mystery is too deep to
guess at. There has been no storm,
no fire, no evidence of desertion, every
boat seems to be in it's proper place.
The only thing I can think Of as pos
slble is drink. The whole crew may
be drunk, but that seems like a dream.
However, we can't stand here doing
nothing. White, you are not of much
use with that broken arm, so remain
alongside Miss Darlington. Keep your
eyes open. Leayord, you and 1 will
have a peep into that cabin; the rest
of you take the forecastle. Be careful,
lads, but don't miss anything-scatter
now"
I slid back the companion door, and
entered slightly in advance. The cabin
floor was on a level with the main
deck, ana its glass front flooded the
Interior with light. A glance revealed
everything, and I stood m%otionless, my
breath caught in my throat, my hand
still gripping the edge Of the door.
l was aware that Leayord peered in
across my shoulder, and heard his
startled lips utter one mufaed exclama.
ton. 1t was a low-ceiled apartment,
painted white, with ports along the
sides, the only staterooms being aft.
A br%ight-hued rug covered the floor,
and there were leather divans under
the ports. The table in the center was
fully set for a meal, covered with a
white cloth, and g1istening bravely
j with china and glass. There was food
in abundance, partially eaten, and
w~ineglasses half filled. I saw ali these
details; I recalled them afterwards,
yet in that first instant of horror, the
impression left upon me was merely Of
those silent, motionless figures sitting
upright in their chairs. 1t was a grew
some sight! A great monster of a
man faced me, his white, CHASTITY face
appearing above a shaggy gray beard,
his sightless, open eyes, staring full
into mine. A wineglass had fallen
from his opened fingers, and lay bro
ken on the deck. Indeed, everyone
had apparently died as by a stroke,
retaining exactly the posture last as
sumed in life.
To the right Of the broad-shouldered
giant was a thin, young fellow, scarce
ly out of his teens, but with a hard,
repulsive face, and at his loft a dark
faced man almost a negro, grinned hOr-
ribly, as though death had stricken
him wen as he laughed. Nothing
could be mor awful to look upon than
the CLEAN of his teeth, beneath the
fantastic curl Of his mustache. There
were six altogether, five sitting upright
In swivel chairs, screwed to the deck,
or leaning forward with heads resting
on the table. The sixth, g%ray-haired
and partially bald, had fallen side
ways, and lay in a shapeless heap on
the rug. They had the look of sea-
men, and were roughly dressed, three
of them plainly foreigners, one with
rings in his ears. The big man alone
possessed the appearance of leader
ship.
I saw all this in that one swift
glance. Breath had not come sobbing
back to me, when Leayord's hand
crushed my arm and his voice Iumbled
in my ear:
"see, captain! they're dead; they're
all dead"
Eyes" I answered, choking owe the
words, "there is no doubt Of that.
Something terrible has occurred here.
Call-call the other men,"
I heard him stumble out through the
companion door, and the roar Of his
voice rs he shouted to those forward;
I could distinguish the sound Of their
feet on the deck, but could not remove
my gaze from that awful sight in the
CABIN. The eyes Of that giant dead
man, staring at mo so fxedly across
the table, held me as in a vise-there
was something SO CHASTITY, so terrible.
about their expression, as to rob me
Of all sense. all courage. The men
Joined me, Liverpool entering In ad-