The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1920-02-13
CHAPTER XVII.
On Board the SLAYER.


The terror Of the two men as this
thought dawned upon them in all its
horror was apparent enough. Nothing,
not even fire. was more to be dreaded
than q valuation of this awful nature
on shipboard. Charne1 ship though
this might be, 1t was safer BY far than
the cockleshell towing alongside.
"Let's find out the truth first, men,"
I said quietly. Hold your tongues.
There IL no use giving up until We
know what the danger IL. VIII you
come with mel"
The terror in Sans eyes caused me
to laugh and my own courage came
back with q rush.
Afraid Of dead men, are your Then
we'll face them together. my lads. and
have 1t over with. Come on, now, both
Of you. Buckle up; there 10 nothing
to fear. If. you do what I tell you
this isn't the first cholera ship I've
been aboard"
1t was no pleasant job confronting
us. although we had less dead men to
handle than I anticipated. Indeed, we
found only five bodies on board. There
were only two on deck. a giant, coal
black negro. and a g~ray-bearded white
man, his face pitted with smallpox.
Determined on what was to be done. I
wasted no time with either body. The
two sailors hung back. terrorized at
the mere thought OF touching these
victims Of plague. I steeled myself to
the Job and handled them alone, drag
g1ng the bodies across the deck and
launching them over the low rail into
the sea. I ordered Schmitt to cut the
lashings and take charge of the wheel.
"See here, Sam. and you too.
Schmitt, I am in love with that girl
in the boat. Do you suppose I would
ever have her come on this deck If I
believed she might contract cholerai
You do ~ I say and you are perfectly
safe. Now. Schmitt, remain at the
wheel. and you, Sam. come with me.
There will be q dead niger aboard
unless you jump when I speak"
He trotted close at my heels a. I
flung open the door leading into the
cabin. The air seemed fresh enough
and I noted two Of the ports wide
open. A tall, smooth-shaven man, with
an ugly c down n cheek, lay out
stretched IN q divan at the foot of tho
after mast, his very posture proclaim
ing him dead. His face was the color
Of parchment. wrinkled with age.
The negro crept up behind me and
stared at the upturned face.
MY Gaud. sab. he wus de Of cap
tain. .Paradlla, sab damn his soul"
In what was evidently the captains
oom ! discovered a pricked chart and
lOg-book. with no entry In 1t for three
days. Without waiting to examine
these I slowed them away in my peck.
ct. Between u We forced the stiffened
form Of the captain through the open
after port and heard 1t splash into
the . astern. There were two dead
seamen In the forecastle, both swarthy
fellows, with long Indian hair. I never
saw . dirtisr hole, the filth overpow-
ering. and oncs satisfied that both
men were beyond help. I was content
to lower the scuttle and leave them
there. Godi 1t was q relief to return
onc more to the open deck and breathe
In the fresh air. ! hailed the boat tow.
Ing below.
"C0ms aboard. Watkins" I called
sharply. Pass the lady up nrst, and
turn the boat adrift."
caught Dorothy's hands and aided
her over the rail-.
why was the vessel abandonedr''
she asked. "What has happened7 Do
you knowf
Quietly I told her the truth and as
sured her that II we staid ON deck and
used our " bedding and provisions
we were in NO danger.
How I help your"
"Tell the men Just what I have told
you" I said gravely. "They will be
ashamed to show less courage than
you"
We turned and faced them together
AZ they formed q little group against
the rail. Hallin was first to speak.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)