Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1918-03-29

A-OtAys , EuSllS0 WdS
quite understandable
Il am Captain Blake" replied our
officer. "The Wilton burned last
night. There are two more boats with
the balance of the passengers and
crew."
"Goot! They are likely in shore by
now. Who are the others?"
Miss Reade of Durango"
She, have the knowledge. The
others?"
My purser. Reeley, Wireless Oper.
ator Clifton, Seaman Burns"
'Goot! We are needful of sailors.
Send him. forward" 1t was a com.
mand.
Blake looked hard at the captain.
Burns, who had come to his feet as
DIS name was mentioned, drew back.
captain Belgrag spoke a soft order in
italian and the stumbling mate put
his hand on Burns's shoulder, which
the sailor shook off.
What do you mean, captain?" cried
Blake.
Send the man forward" he shout
ed with volley of oath's, his face pur.
ping. I'VE need the sailors for we
are weak of men. Can he not work? ?"
The question ended in the most BIAS
phemous epithet have ever heard ap-
piled to man.
He can, but he won't" Blake re-
Piled, and again l had to admire his
pugnacity. Were going to be off this
craft in a few hours, captain, SO it
isn't worth while"
$50? You leave us, eh?"
"The Nanaimo, for San Francisco,
will pass you late this afternoon. We
want to be placed aboard her."
N"You X2ut2 But that is impossi-
Captain Belgrag's voice was
ike violin music in lullaby. His
sneers, his profanity was music.
IF there is anything to pay for loss
of your ships time, the Thurston line
is responsible" said Blake.
Belgrag pursed up his lips, blew out
his cheeks, then opened his mouth
with smack. 1--WE will not the Ma.
naimo pass" he said abruptly "You
will not be put aboard her-no. nor
any other north-bound ship. We shall,
when We are ready, give you up"
What do you mean?" cried Blake
pugnaciously.
do i not myself make clearly I'M
derstand? Heinz / mean you came
on my ship without asking yes or no
eh? When you are to leave, / shall
say; not you. The sailor goes to
work; / need him. Perhaps, you, too,
need, then you will work. Is that so
you understand"
The voice was lowered to key
quite as musical, but forcible, as the
bass clef of piano. Captain Belgrag
looked us over. one by one, his eyes
two narrow Sits in his pulled face.
Blake arose and leaned across the
table. Captain Belgrag," he said. and
bis voice was shaking with passion,
badly suppressed; this is the dirtiest
treatment l ever knew accorded by
one seafaring man to another. 1t is
despicable, sir-despicable-an you,
sir. are damn filthy pig!" and he
shook his fist as near the bloated
permit. Captain Belgrag closed his
narrow eyes and cursed until the air
wxs blue.
R-1beaned back in my chair and
W. was not seeing red, although
II asreed thoroughly with Blake. II
Belgrag had shown any inclination to
take exception to our captains esti-
mate of him,I might have placed my
shoulder@against his, but Belgrag
merely swore and walked out.
There was to be no fight, and the
situation as it stood was all in my ia
vor. Blake would not take me north
on the Nanaimo or on anything else
very soon; Isabelle was here with me,
and had one other new friend at
least; and wasn't sure that the wom-
an said to Belgrag in Italian. caught
one word only, for she spoke rapidly,
and my Italian friends are always
more considerable of my ear; but that
word, translated, meant "protract."
esrns went forward OF his own Sc
lection, saying that he would prefer
having wages coming, so long as the
cruise was to continue indefinitely.
The Italian mate explained through
me that the saloon was to be at our
disposal and breakfast would be serv-
cd there at once, and /, after finding
out from Reedley that he held no OBJ
jections to the company OF a murder
suspect, went in to Blake to announce
my change of cabins.
Don't do it," said the captain. 1T
looks to me as though the murderer
was needed about this craft, and I
want you with me to plan out way.
The pig of captain is no less than
q pirate, and we've got to circumvent
dim somehow"
Sim no murderer" / replied brief
b.
"Well. you've got brains at least.
end wen need 'em. Stay by" he