Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-12-15


and the girl had preceded him. Lunt
stood Il the rail with his beak OF 1
nose wrinkled, snuffing toward the icy
crags tLat were spouting a dazzle oi
white flame, set about with smaller
sudden flares OF ruby. emerald and
sapphire.
Tamada appeared and announced
breakfast.
you'll be coming later. Rainey q
asked Carlson. "You and LundT'
He started for the cOmpanionway
and the girl followed AS she passed
the wheel Rainey spoke to her:
4 am sorry your father is so III,
Miss Simms." he said.
She looked at him with eyes that
were filled with sadness, that seemed
liquid with tears bravely held back.
i am afraid he is dying" she an
swered in a low voice. THANK you for
your sympathy. Il"
She stopped at some slight sound
| that Rainey did not catch. But he saw
the face of Carlson framed In the
shadow of the companion. his mouth
open in wolf grin, and the mans eyes
were cleaning crimson. lie held up
hand for the girl. She passed down
without taking it.
Lund came over to Kinney
Clear weather, they tell me?" he
said. "That's unusual. F1G off the
Aleuttana :b~9e hgndred az i.fty days
of the year, as rule. Soon as we
sight land, Which'il be Unalaska or
Whereabouts, Carlson will have the
course changed. There's considera-
bic fleet of United States revenue cut
ters al Gnalaska, an Carlson won't
pull ennythlng until we're well west of
there. He's pretty cocky this morn
in. Wal, Wen see."
There had always been q certain
rOllicking good-humor about Lund.
This morning he was grim, his face,
with its beak Of nose and aggressive
chin beneath the flaming whiskers, and
his whole magnificent body gave the
impression of resolve and repressed
action. Rainey fancied whimsicaly
that he could hear dynamo purring
inside the giants massiveness. He |
had seen him in open rage when Tie |
had first denounced Honest Simms.
but the serious mood was far more
impressive.
The big man stepped like h great
cat, his head was thrust slightly for.
ward. his great hands were half open. |
One forgot his blindness. Despite the /
black lenses, Lund appeared |
so absolutely prepared and, in differ
ent way, fully as confident as Carlson.
a certain audacious assurance seemed I
to ooze out of him, to permeate his
neighborTood. and measure of it ex-
tended to Rainey.
Carlson, Before he went below. had /
sent man into the fore-spreaders.
and now he shouted, cupping his hands
and sounding his news as If it had been
Il call to arms:
''Land-ho!"
"What is it?" called Rainey back.
High peak, sir. Dead ahead
Clouds on 1t, or smoke"
He came sliding down the halyards
% the deck as Lund said: "That'll be
Makushin. Now the funll commence"
From below the sailors off watch
.ame up on deck, and the hunters, the
after wiping their mouths, fresh from
heir interrupted breakfast, all crowd
ng forward to get glimpse of the
and. Minutes passed before Carlson
anne on deck. He had not hurried his
neal.
I'll take her over, Rainey," he said
riefy.
Rainey and Lnnd were barely seated
efore the heeling of the schooner and
he scuf1le of feet told of Lund's
rophesied change of course Rainey
ooked at the telItale compass above
is head
Heading due west" he told Lund.
"West it IS" said the giant. more ,
Office, Tamada FIJI your belly, Rainey. ,
ct good meal While the eatin' is
ood" =
Although 1t was Hansen's watch be- |
wv, Rainey found him at the whee,
lstead of the seaman he had left @
lere. Carlson came up to him smil- h
lg. C
Better let Hansen have the deck,
n. Rainey," he said. "We're going to .'
I'VE conference in the cabin at four
Ellis. and I'd like you to be present." f
sgTL. .koA. hImnlm1 ,.~L III