The Adair County news., 1921-11-15
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ?

The big man stepped like a great
cat, his head was thrust slightly for
ward, his great hands were half open.
One forgot his blindness. Despite the
unsightly black lenses, Lund appeared
so absolutely prepared and, In differ
vent way, fully as confident as Carlsen.
A certain audaciouS assurance seemed
to ooze out of him, to permeate his
neighborhoOd, and a measure of 1t ex-
tended to Rainey.
Carlsen, before he went below, had
sent a man into the fore-spreaders.
and now he shouted, cupping his hands
and sounding his news as if it had been
a call to arms:
"Land-hov
"What is it?" called Rainey back.
High peak, sir. Dead ahead I
Clouds on it, or smoke"
He came sliding down the halyards
to the deck as Lund said: 'ThatT be
Makushin. Now the fun'n commence {"
From below the sailors off watch
came up on deck, and the hunters. the
latter wtping their mouths, fresh from
their interrupted breakfast, all crowd
ing forward to get a glimpse of the
land. Minutes passed before Carlsen
came on deck. He had not hurried his
meal.
"Tll take her over, Rainey," he said
briefly.
Rainey and Lund were barely seated
before the heeling of the schooner and
the scuf1e of feet told of Lunds
prophesied change of course. Rainey
looked at the telltale compass above
his head.
Heading due west" he told Lund.
West it is" said the giant. More
coffee, Tamada. Fill your belly, Rainey.
Get a good meal while the eatin' is
good"
Although 1t was HanSen's watch be-
low, Rainey found him at the wheel
instead Of the seaman he had left
there. Carlsen came up to him smil-
ing.
Better let Hansen have the deck.
Mr.. Rainey," he said. "We're going to
have conference in the cabin at four
bells, and I'd like you to be present"
All right, sir" Rainey answered,
getting a thrill at this first actual in
timation of the meeting. Hansen, 1t
seemed, was not to be one of the rep
resentatiyes Of the seamen. And
Carlsen had been smart enough to
fOrestall Lund's demand for Rainey By
taking some of the wind out Of the
giants sails and doing the unexpected.
Unless the hunters had suggested that
Rainey be present. But that was hard
ly likely, considering that he was to
be left out of the deal.
''In just what capacity are you call
in this conference?" Lund asked, when
Garrison notified him in turn. 1.-The
skipper amt dead, is heT'
II represent the captain, Lund," re-
piled the doctor. He entirely ap-
proves Of what / am about to suggest
to you and the men. In fact have his
signature to a document that 1 hope
you will sign also. 1t will be greatly
to your interest to do so. | am in pres
ent charge of the Karluk"
"YOu amt a reg'lar member of this
expedition" objected Lund stOlidly.
Neither am a member of the crew,
just now. But the skipper's my part
ner in this deal, signed, sealed and re-
corded. Afore go to emmy meetin' I'd
like to have a talk with him personal
ly. Thet's fair enough, amt it?"
Several of the hunters had gathered
about, and Lund's question seemed a
general appeal. Carlsen shrugged his
shoulders.
'If you had your eyesight," he said
almost brutally, you could soon see
that the skipper was in no condition
TO discuss matters, much less be pres
ent"
Here's my eyesight," countered
Lund. "Mr Rainey here. Let him see
the skipper and ask him a question or
.twoP
"What kind of a question? I'm ask
ing as his doctor, Lund."
"For one thing if he's read the paper
you say he signed. l want to be sure
of that. An l don't make it emmy of
yOre biZness Garrison, what l want to
say to my partner, by proxy or other
wise. Second thing, I'd like to be sure
he's still alive. AS for yOre standin'
as his doctor, all I've got to say is that
yO're a id pore doctor, so fur as the
skipper's concerned, ennyway."
The two men stood facing each
other, Carlsen looking evilly at the
giant, whose black glasses warded off
his glance. 1t was wasting looks to
glare at blind man. Equally to sneer.
But the bout between the two was
timed now, and both were casting
aside any veneer Of diplomacy. their
enmity manifesting itself in the raw.
The issue was growing tense.
Rainey fancied that Carlsen was not
entirely sure of his following, and re-
lied upon Lund's indignant refusal Of
terms TO back up his plans of getting
rid of him decisively.
CHAPTER Vii.
LA