The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1918-06-29

with on the quarterback of the Esmer-
aida only two days before? WHY. then
he had been the life of the company,
full of humor, bit rough in speech to
be sure, and drinking more than was
necessary. yet apparently good fel.
low. But nOw-why, he actually had
the aspect Of brute; aye, and like
wise the manners Of one. A single
night of danger and exposure had SUI.
feed to bring to the surface his true
character, had stripped off the veneer,
and proven him bullying coward, in
efficient, and unwilling. l felt my teeth
close tightly as l looked at him, but
relief came when turned toward the
girl, seated near me. She must have
felt the intentness with which / re-
garded her, for she turned suddenly,
flush sweeping her cheeks.
| isn't 1t wonderful, Mr.. Hollis, the
way those clouds and waves blend
yonder, such a marvellous massing Of
cOlors? Oh, there Is no beauty like the
seal"
"But always cruelty in its beauty,
like that Of tiger cat" I answered.
perhaps we had better breakfast,
Miss Vera; let me see your bag Of bis
cults by daylight"
She brought them forth, together
with the jug. A little sea water had
seeped into the bag, and the outer lay
ers were more or less widowed, yet
enough remained sweet and wholesome
to give me hope of their sustaining us
until we should be picked up by some
passing vessel. The water jug, how
ever, was only half-filled and must be
sparingly used.
eve will 60 on short rations," an
nounced. breaking biscuit with my
knife. "Just enough to keep us from
starving. Here, Mccain, is your por-
ton"
He reached out and took what I
handed him then gave utterance to q
curse.
my God! do you mean I am to
breakfast on this half biscuit?" he ex-
claimed angrily.
ION that, or on none at ALL" an
swered, cycling him sternly. "You
haven't done so much work as to earn
double rations. give you the same as
take myself. All we have is what is
in this bag, and heaven knows when
we shall meet ship"
"Ship. h.! We are not far from
Long Island"
1.-TWO hundred miles at least, and
with this jury rig we should have to
make some wide tacks on that course.
Take what give you, man, and be de-
cent about it."
He grumbled something regarding
his belief that I was keeping most of
the food for myself, but l broke in, de-
termined to end the discussion:
that's talk enough. Eat your half
biscuit the same as we do. and be
thankful you have got that; and when
you come to the water, one swallow
each will be all we are entitled to. You
hear meY'
Eyes. 1 hear you: but who in thun-
der are your"
1.-THE only seaman on board, Mccain,
and the life of this young lady, as well
as your own, depends on my judgment.
l am not seeking trouble with you, but
you will obey my orders while we are
aflOat here, or take the consequences.
That half biscuit is your ration; eat 1t,
or leave 1t, as you please, but you'll
cut out the profanity. and Ill not
warn you again."
He was too great coward to force
the issue, and fell to munching his bis
cult, one hand gripping the gunwale.
as though he wished my throat was be-
tween his fingers. As nibbled at my
own small portion, watchful Of his
movements, and thinking of how best
to keep the fellow at a safe distance,
the girl leaned toward me. and whis-
pered q word in my ear.
HE has a revolver. I saw the butt
in his pocket. while he lay asleep In
the bow. You will be careful. Mr.. Hol-
lis?"
"You need have no fear for me-"
answered reassuringly. and ventured
to touch her hand where 1t rested ON
the thwart between Us. II have been
q buck0 mate, my lady, and learned
how to handle his kind. II he ever
draws q gun on me out here. I'll teach
him something he never learned yet in
Wall street"
The hours Of that day fairly dragged
along. as we stared out dull-eyed ON
the same vista Of sea and sky. The
girl and talked, avoiding as much a.
possible all reference to our situation,
and the fate OF the yacht, our CONVEX
sation drifting here and there. We
smoke Of h00ka Of art nf drama md