Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-08-08

End; md IL / Neutrality-suspicious.
Now, boys" nc shouted. Ego ahead
with the sails"
Once more there was that ripping
Of the ropes through the blocks rs our |
mainsail rose up high against the |
moon and filed proudly with the
stendy northeast breeze we had been |
waiting for.
So two or three hours went by, as
We plunged on, to the sccthng sound
of the water, and the singing of our
sails, and all the various rumor or
wind and sea. After ALL II was n good
music to sleep to and, for all my scorn
of sleeping lnndsmen, an irrcSisfih'e
dro,ysness stretched me out On the
roof of the little cabin. wonderfully
rocked into forgetfulncss
oMy nap came to nn end suddenly.
MS though some one had flung me out
through door of blue and gold into
newborn world. There was the sun
rising. the moon still On duty, and the
morning star divinely naked IN the
heaven.
And there was Charlie, his broad
face ,beaming with hoyish happiness
and something like Il fatherly gentle
ness I'm his eyes, as he watched ms
companion at the tiller, whom. for
hnif-asleep moment OF waking, l
couldn't account for, till our start all
came back to me, when realized that
IL WAS our young seapeslacc OF over
night. Charlie and he evidently were
on the best of terms already
Old Tom had been busy with break
fast and soon the smells Of coflee anu
freshly made "johnny-cake' ana fr!-
ing bacon competed not unsuccessfully
with the various fragrnnccs OF the
morning.
, breakfast over, Charlie filed his
pipe. assuming, as he did so, judicial
t aspect. filled mine and our young
j, friend followed suit by taking silver
cigarette case from his pocket ana
striking a match on the leg of ms
khaki knickerbockers with profes
sionnl air.
"All set?" asked Charlie, and, attel
sligh. reuse. he went on
"Noyv, young man, you can see w
orc nearing the end of tn" island. An
other half-mpc will bring us to Yves
End. Whether we put you ashore
there, or take yuI along, depends OF
your answers to my questions
"Fire away" answered the youth
blowing a cloud Of cigarette smoke II
delicate spiral up into the mornlns
sky: "sut I've really told you all
| have to tell"
NO; YOU haven't told US how yo'
l came to know of our trip, what W.
, were supposed to be after, and whel
we were starting"
"Thats truc." flushed the lad. me
| mentarily losing his composure. Ihef
] partly rcgainlnC it: as 1t necessary I
answer that question:!
absolutely" answered Charlie, Dc
ginning to look really serious.
"Becausc, If you don't nina
we'll, I'd Just as soon not.
"For that very reason | want
, know. We are out on more serlou
business than perhaps you realize an
yvlr answer may mean more to I
than you think
"I'm sure ii cannot be Of such impo
lance to you. Really, it's hardly ia
4e for me to tell. l should have to CIV
away friend"
81 I'm sorry, but shall have to
nd sist," replied Charlie, looking vel
on grim.
"All right them" answered Il
1, youth. looking him straight in the eye
ON put me ashore"
go. "No; won't do that now. either
declared Charlie, stcrnly setting II
Ia Jaw. "I'll put you in irons rather
I and keep you on bread and water--t
49,, you answer my questions"
"You will, ch?" retortcd the you'
y, flashing fire from his fine eyes. A
ms he spoke, quick as thought.
,,.o lcaped ,lp on to the gunwale and, WI
ont hesitation, dlvcd into the gre
,,n CLASSY rollers.