The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1919-07-10
WOLVES THE SEA
BY RANDALL PARRISH

bacco and a pipe, and-yes. wait
second-writlng materials. And, b,
the way, there are two staterOom,
astern. Who occupies the one to star
bOnrd-Senor Estada?"
mo, senior; 1t is the young lady,"
"Oh, the one brought aboard Lass
night. Have You seen herr"
"Sl, senior; she is English and gooc
to look at, but she sit and stare out
the stern port. She will not speak OF
eat. / take in her breakfast, bit she
touch not a morsel. So l tell SenoI
Estada, and lie say, then bring her
out to dinner with me; I'll make thu
hussy eat If l have to choke it dowr
her dainty throat"
"Good; I'll have look at her my
self then. Now hurry up those things
steward, and remember what SEN
you aften"
He brought the shaving set ant
writing materials first, explaining thas
he would have to 60 down into thu
laZaret and break open como pack
ages for the tobacco and pipe. The
moment the fellow disappeared ]
grasped the opportunity. / dashed of
a note hurriedly-a brief line merely
stating my presence on board md beg.
ging her not to exhibit surprise at
meeting me. 1 had no time in which
to explain or make Gear the situa-
ton. With this folded and concealed
in my hand l silently pushed open the
door.
1 crept swiftly forward, following
the circle of the staterooms, until ]
came to the closed door of the one
sought aft. 1 bent here an instant,
listening for some sound from within,
but heard none. Beyond doubt the
girl was within AMI alone, and must
trust her quick intelligence to respond
to my written message. :. thrust II
through the narrow opening above the
sill, and the moment 1t disappeared
within stole swiftly back to my own
room. The action had not been seen,
and yet l had scarcely moment to
spare. Before / could lather my face
the steward returned, bearing in his
hands tobacco and pipe.
Estada, however, remained away
longer than / had anticipated he
would, and 1 was fully dressed and
comfortably smoking before he came
down from the deck and crossed the
cabin to my partially open door.
''The sta.bOard watch has been
called" he said. "and you are to take
charge of the deck, relieving Levere.
1 waited to explain the situation to
the men before you appeared. sup
pose you are readyT
cay, ay, senor," knocking the ashes
out Of my pipe and rising. He eyed
my clothes disapprovingly.
Rather fancy rig, Gates. for
first officer on duty"
"Some style, admit, senior, but they
were all the steward offered me-"
you'll have to carry hard fist
my man, to back up that costume
aboard the Namur," he said colby
''Those black devils are apt to mis-
take you for plaything." I followed
him up the stairs to the deck. LeVers
was still on duty, and came forward
and shook hands at my appearance.
Rather glad I didn't drown you,'
he said, intending to be pleasant. "BW
hope you'll not run amuck in the after
cabin"
II shall try not to unless I hav&
cause" I answered, looking him
square in the eyes and determining
to make my position clear at once
"Senor Estada tells me am to re-
lieve you. What is the course"
"Sou'west by half SOU"
do you know your position2"
"Only in a general way. We have
held an east by south course since
leaving the capes, until an hour ago,
making about ten knots"
Every well; l will figure 1t out a.
best I can. There Is nothing further
to report?"
'No, senior; all has been as It 10
now"
He glanced toward Estada, not
greatly pleased. presume, with my
brusqueness, yet finding nothing In
either words or manner from which
to evoke a quarrel. The latter had
overheard our conversation, but he
stood now with back toward us look.
ing out on the sea Off the port qunr
ter. His silent Indifference caused
LeVere to shrug his shoulders and
disappear down the ladder on his way
below. I turned my face to the man
at the wheel-it was the giant negro,
Cochose.