The daily Alaskan., 1919-04-29

Not another sail appeared across that surface os waters, not even a fish, erman's boat. the only other vessel visible along our course being a dim outline close In against that far-away headland toward which had been in- structed to steer 1 stared at this ob- ject, at first believing 1t wreck, but finally distinguishing the bare masts of medium-sized bark, evidently rid ing at anchor only a few hundred yards of shore.
 The Spaniard presently pointed out to Fairfax the position of the bark. "Surely strange place in which to anchor, Lieutenant" said Fairfax. Bark rigged and very heavily spared. Seems to be all right. What do you make of the vessel?"
 The Spaniard twisted his mustache but exhibited little interest, although his gaze was upon the craft.
 "Deeldedly Dutch. should say" he answered slowly. "The beggars seem quite at home there. with all their washing out. Not a usual anchorageT
 "No, .nor a particularly safe one. [ Travers' place Is beyond the bend. We'll put up with him tonight. D--n me, Sanchez, believe I'll hail tfle fellow and find out what he Is doing in there"
 Sanchez nodded, carelessly striking flint and steel in an effort to relight a cheroot.
 We came about slowly. The dis tance to be covered was not great, and in less than ten minutes we were drawing in toward the high stern of the anchored vessel.
 No evidence of life appeared on board. although everything looked shipshape allow ana aloft, and rather extensive wash Tapped in the wind forward, bespeaking a generous crew. A moment later my eyes made out the name painted across the stern--Na- mur of Rotterdam.
 Fairfax leaned far out across the rail as we swept In closer, but the Spaniard exhibited DO particular In. terest in the proceedings. A hundred feet distant I held the dancing sloop to mere steerage-way, while Fairfax hailed.
 A red-faced man with a black beard thrust his head up above the after rail and answered, using English, yet with a faint accent which was not Dutch.
 "We ran down to see if you were in any trouble. This Is a strange place to anchor. What are yOu--- Dutch?"
 The fellow waved his hands in gesture indicating disgust.
 Oats eet. We're Ov Rotterdam you see ze name Ov ze sheep. But ve not sail rum thar dis time-nO. Ve cum here from ze BarbadOes," he explained. brokenly, "wiz cane sugar an hides. We vait here for our agent" But why anchor in place like this2 Why not go on up to the, wharves?"
 
 crew ashore Fay Vest Indy niggers, an vud run away ven ze chancescum. l know vat gay do."
 In spite of my efforts the two ves- sels were drifting rapidly apart. Dor othy appeared at the door of the cabin and stood there gazing in sur prise at the bark, while the moment he caught sight of her Sanchez went hastily forward, removing his hat with so peculiar a flourish as he approached as to cause me to notice the gesture. Fairfax waved his hand to me to resume our course. Shortly after he crossed the deck to the wheel. There. he stood watching the bark for some time.
 "What do you make .ot her, Car lyle?" he asked finally. "I believe that fellow lied"
 "So do I, sir" answered promptly. "Whatever else he may be, he's no peaceful Dutch trader. That fellow got his accent from south Europe. If uS WuS lOuucu Nilh NthS oN5uA ohN hides for market he wouldn't be near ly so high out of water. Thai bark was In ballast or 1 miss my guess. Be sides If he was a trader where was his crew? I tell you the men on board that hooker had orders to keep down." "I believe you are right" he admit. ted frankly. "There is something wrong there. Ill- tell Travers and have him send a runner overland to give warning below"