Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-07-16


Second-writing materials. And, by
the way, there are two staterooms
astern. Who occupies the one TO star
board-Senor EstadaT'
NO. senior; 1t is the young lady"
"Oh, the one brought aboard last
night. Have yOu seen her?"
Isl. senior; she is English and good
to look at, but she sit and stare out
the stern port. She will not speak or
eat. take in her breakfast, but she
touch not morsel. So tell Seno-
Estada, and he say, then bring her
out to dinner with me; I'll make the
hussy eat if have to choke it down
her dainty throat"
Good; I'll have look at her my
self then. Now hurry up those things
steward, and remember what | sent
you after"
He brought the shaving set and
writing materials first. explaining that
he would have to go down into the
lazaret and break open some pack
ages for the tobacco and pipe The
moment the fellow disappeared I
grasped the opportunity. dashed off
note hurriedly-a brief line merely
stating my presence on board and beg
ging her not to exhibit surprise at
meeting me. l had no time In which
to explain or make clear the situa-
ton. With this folded and concealed
in my hand l silently pushed open the
door.
l crept swiftly forward. following
the circle of the staterooms. until
came TO the closed door of the one
sought aft. / bent here an instant,
listening for some sound from within,
but heard none. Beyond doubt the
girl was within and alone, and / must
trust her quick intelligence to respond
to my written message. thrust 1t
through the narrow opening above the
SILL and the moment 1t disappeared
within stole swiftly back to my owr
room. The action had not been seen,
and yet | 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 / Lad anticipated he
would, and was fully dressed and
comfortably smoking before he came
down from the deck and crossed the
cabin to my partially open door.
"The starboard watch has been
called" he said. land you are to take
charge of the deck. relieving LeVere.
l waited TO explain the situation to
the men before you appeared. / sup
pose you are ready?"
"Ay, ay, senor," knocking the ashes
out of my pipe and rising. He eyed
my clothes disapprovingly.
Rather a fancy rig, Gates. for a
first officer on duty"
"Some style, admit, senQr, hut they
were all the steward offered me-"
You'll have to carry a hard fist,
my man, to back up that costume
aboard the Namur," he said coldIy.
"Those black devils are apt to mis-
take you for a plaything" 1 followed
him up the stairs TO the deck. LeYere
was still on duty, and came forward
and shook hands at my appearance.
"Rather glad didn't drown YOU"
he said, intending to be pleasant. "But
hope you'll not run amuck In the after
cabin"
Il shall try not to unless / have
cause" 1 answered looking him
square in the eyes and determining
to make my position clear at once.
"SenOr Estada tells me / sin to re-
lieve you. What is the course?"
"Sou'west by half SOU"
''Do you know your positionT"
"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"
VERY well; l will figure IT out as
best l can. There is nothing further
to report?"
mo, senior; all has been as IT is
now"
He glanced toward Estada, not
greatly pleased, l presume, with nv
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 quar-.
ter. His silent Indifference caused
LeVere to shrug his shoulders and
disappear down the ladder on his way
below. turned my face to the man
at the wheel-it was the giant negro,
Cochose.