Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1918-01-10
XII.
l Select MY Officers.

The die was cast. However the
strange adventure might eventually
end, whatever peril lurked ahead of us,
it was now too late for regret. The
{ full responsibility 1 had assumed al
most overwhelmed me as I first
emerged upon deck, but there came to
me also a spirit Of recklessness, which
brought a laugh to my lips and a shrug
to my shoulders. Why should I care?
1t was her choice. not mine. A moment
7 fingered at the port rail, staring out
into the smother of the coming dusk,
wondering how it would all end, before
1 climbed the ladder to the poop deck.
The negro was at the wheel, while
Masters stood aft gazing astern. He
was not aware Of my presence until I
spoke sharply.
"Mr. Masters"
"Aye, aye, sir"
II have agreed to take command Of
the vessel for the remainder of the voy-
age" I said quietly, "and would have
a word with the crew.
'The remainder of the voyage, sir?'
"Yes; the vessel has suffered no Sc
rious damage, and there are surely
seamen on board to serve as watch off,
GERS"
'The bosun is a good man, sir"
"What is his name?"
"Leayord."
"Very we'll nave the men piped aft
"All hands, sir?"
"Certainly, Mr.. Masters. They have
had rest enough, I imagine, the past
few days. Now they are in for a spell
of work."
I was not altogether pleased with
the engineers manner a vague suspi-
cion coming into my mind that he also
rather preferred a return to Baltimore,
and that. the crew might desire the
same decision. AS I went forward to
the rail I noticed that both Vera and
Bascom had come up as far as the
head of the companion, and now stood
there in the shadow, where they could
both see and hear. Mccain, however,
did not appear, and was probably
asleep below, or still doctoring his dis
colored optic. / had just a moment to
observe these things before the men
began to appear aft the mainmast, and
form in a straggly line across the deck.
They We're indeed a rough-looking lot,
even for a freighter's crew, plainly
showing the effects of prolonged de-
bauches ashore, with several among
them still manifestly under the inf1u-
ence of liquor. The re-establishment
of sea discipline on board was evil
IDENTIFY to be my first task. and my
teeth clenched tightly as my eyes swept
their faces.
"COme farther aft, men," I ordered
sternly. "BOsun, bring them closer in,
where they can hear what I say-ay!
that's more like it."
I stared down. into the upturned
faces, noting. it seemed to me, charac-
teristics Of every race on earth, and
realizing that here before me was
grouped the scum Of the seven seas.
Men, began, gripping the rail and
speaking swiftly, "my name is Hollis,
and l held command in the old Atlas
line. The owner of this vessel and
cargo-Mr. Philip Bascom-has just
lone me the honor Of appointing me as
captain for the remainder of the voy-
age"
The fellows remained silent, except
for the restless shuffling Of their feet
OF the deck. :
"And what is the vige to be, mister?"
suddenly asked a hoarse voice back In
he group.
"The same one you signed on for. of
course"
Ter Hamburg?
THAT'S where we lay her head"
"But ter perdition wild it; we've a
wrecked ship, an they tell us there's
a war ""
"Who tells you that?"
1.-THE guy that come aboard along
with yer; he told the cook"
"Well, war or no war. this ship