Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1918-01-17

600N " u l. AAAAs &1Au AO 4OlCo 01Cs
because of what occurred in the boat.
This is what underlies his action, no
doubt; then he believes money will &C
complish anything, and he has found
sailormSn forward ready enough to- do
the dirty work, if he will oily pay well
for it,"
"Y0u know them?"
"The two most prominent are Jim
White and a fellow known aboard as
Liverpool Red, both typical forecastle
bullies. I know how to deal with their
sort"
"You-you have decided what to do,
then?"
Least. I gave you my promise, Miss
Vera, to take this ship to Hamburg if
it was possible to get there"
Sand there is no other way of saving
the investment in this vessel and
cargo?"
81 know of none."
"Then we must go on, must we not?
II hope you will, Captain Hollis"
Before I could stop her, or add an
other word, she was some, and I was
apparently alone on deck.
I remained on deck the greater part
Of the night, but nothing of an alarm
ing nature took place. The crew re-
manned quiet, and the watch on duty
obeyed orders promptly enough to
give those of us aft a new feeling of
confidence. D..
The sky cleared, although the wind
remained fresh and the sea heavy
enough to keep two men at the wheel
The Indian Chief made good weather
of 1t, however, and I possessed faith,
in LeayOrd's seamanship. For an hour,
perhaps, I loitered about on deck, but
all remained so quiet that finally, with
a word to the mate to have me called
at the slightest sign of need, I went be-
low, and turned in.
I did not remove my clothes, and the
new day was barely reddening the east
when 1 was aroused by a trampling Of
feet on thetdeck overhead. There was
no call, and I vas sailor enough to
comprehend what was going on above
- the watch was about to be
changed, and Leayord a using all
hands in cleaning ship. The activity,
the quietly spoken orders, the low
chant of a song as the men toiled at a
rope, were evidence that my presence
was not required, and I felt it would
please both officers to be left alone in
charge. 1 opened the port and looked
out at the glorious morning. 1t was
a lonely ocean scene, yet wildly beau
tiful. Everywhere was the wild DESC
lation of the sea, nothing on which the
eye could rest except the restless
waves, the constant shifting of colors.
Satisfied that no other vessel was with
in range of vision, I lay down again.
l do not recall a pleasanter meal at
sea than our breakfast that morning.
All were in excellent humor, and no
p~remOnitiOn of trouble entered our
minds. The night had passed quietly,
both officers reporting the crew docile
and cheerful.
Olson was on watch, but Masters
in the engine room, and together we
drank a toast to q pleasant voyage, al
most convinced that before us were
only the ordinary vicissitudes Of the
sea. 1t was not until the men left the
table that I was reminded of our pris.
oner in the nearby stateroom.
"Mr. Bascom seldom takes any
breakfast?" I said to Dade, who was
polishing the stair rail.
"No, sir; I have orders to take him
a cup of coffee at nine o'clock"
"And how about McCannY"
"The gentleman in number six, sir
He's locked in, and I haven't the key
"That's true; I'd forgotten. I'll look
in on the man; and you get his break
fast ready to serve"
I unlocked and, opened the door
Mccain was seated on the edge of his
bunk facing me, and, it was plainly
evident at first view that he was in nc
pleasant humor.
"McCann," I said, as he failed tc
speak, "let's have an understanding
1t is no desire of mine to hold you q
prisoner here for the next month. I'll
oSSCpC SOuI plCuSC uOI " lllCSl1C1S
with the working of this vessel"
"On what other terms?"
"That you stop holding communica.
tons with the crew, and consider your.
self a passenger until the end of the
voyage. Give me your word to that,
and you may have the freedom of this
cabin, and the after deck"
"What is the voyage?"
ITO Hamburg"
He laughed, and there was an ugly
sound to it.
"Pshaw, do you think you ever will
get there?" he asked, glazing at me,
but making no effort to rise. care you
fool enough, Hollis, to imagine that the
English feet will ever permit this ship
to pass through the Channel? Why,
your whole darn cargo, they tell me,
Is contraband."
"Who tells you7"
"Npver mind& who. Tia the truth