Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1921-12-17
COPYRIGHT BosBs MERRILL co.

-AAN-N > NC AL ttie AlI. L
can smell it. Feel the difference in
temperature? Ice, all right. An that
means two things. We're nigh one
VI the Aleutians, an Bering strait is
full Of ice. Early, a bit. but there's
hothln regular bout the way ice
forms. I've got a strong bunch some
thinsu break before we make the
strait.
Ihere's one thing in our favor. Yore
SaVlh Sandy has set you solid with
the hunters. They won't be so keen
10 maroon you. An they'll think
twice about putin me ashore blind
used to git along fine with the hunt
ers. Az said an done, they're men
at bottom. Got their hearts gold-plat-
ed right now. But"
lie seemed obsessed with the idea
that the crew, with Carlson as prime
lnstigator, had determined to leave
them stranded on some volcanic. lone
~ barren islet. Rainey wondered
what actual foundations he had for
that theory.
lie found no chance to talk with
Sandy He noticed the boy looking
at him once or twice. wistfully. he
thought, and yet furtlvely. Carlson
did not appear during the morning.
neither did the hunters. Nor the girl.
At noon Carlson came UP to take
his observation. He said nothing to
Ralney, but the latter noticed the doc
tors face seemed more sardonic than
usual as he tucked his sextant under
his arm.
With Hansen on deck they all assem-
bled at the table with the execution
Of the captain. Tamada served per-
fectly and silently. The doctor con-
versed with the girl in low voice.
Once or twice she smiled across the
table at Rainey in friendly fashion.
skipper emmy better?" asked I.und.
at the end of the meal.
Carlson ignored him, but the girl
answered.:
Il am afraid not" 1t was not often
she spoke to Lund at all, and Rainey
wondered If she had experienced any
change of feeling toward the giant as
well as himself.
Carlson got up announcing his IN
tention of going forward. Lund nod
ded significantly at Rainey as If to
suggest that the doctor was going to
fOregather with the hunters. and that
this might be an opportunity to talk
with Sandy.
Coin to turn in," he said. Eyes
hurt me. It's the ice in the wind"
Carlson had already vanished and
the girl went to her room.
The door from the galley corridor
opened, and a head was poked in eau
tiously. Then Sandy came into the
cabin.
BEG pardon, Mister Rainey, sir"
said the roustabout, ~ was through
with the dishes. l wanted to have
talk with yer" His pop-eyes roamed
about the cabin doubtfulIy
Come in here" said Rainey, and
ushered Sandy into his own quarters.
"Now, then" he said, established
on the bunk, while Sandy stood by the
partition, slouching, irresolute, his
slack Jaw working as If he was chew
ing something, "what is it. my ladT'
They'd kick the stufin' out Of me
If they knew this" said Sandy. "Tve
bin warned to hold my tongue. Dem
ing said he'd cut it out If I chartered.
An he would. But"
"But what? Sit down, Sandy; l
won't give you away"
you went overheard after me. sir
None of them would. I've heard what
Mr.. Garrison said. that l didn't ermount
to nothin'. Mebbe / don't, but I've
got my own reasons for hangln on.
Me. of course don't erm0unt to much.
Why would I? II l ever had mother
an father, l never laid eyes on 'em.
I've made my own Twin sence l was
eight. I've never 'ad enough grub in
my belly till I worked for Tamada.
The Jap slips me prime hllin'. He's
only a Jap, but he's got more heart
than the rest o that bloody bunch put
tergetber.'
Rainey nodded.
Tell me what you know, quickly.
You may be wanted any minute"
The words seemed to stick in the
lads dry throat and then they came
with a gush.
ITS the doc! It's Carlson who's
turned EN- into a lot Of bloody Boil
sheyiks. sir. Told 'em they ought to
have an ekal share in the gold. Ekal
all round. all except Tamada-en' me.
I don't count. An Tamada's a Jap
The men is sore at Mr.. Lund becoz
he seq the skipper left him be'lnd on
the ice. Carlsen's worked that up
too. Said Lund made 'em all out to
be towards. 'Cept Hansen, that is.
He don't dare say too much. or they'd
ump him. hut Hansen sort Of hints
that Cap'n Simms ought to have gone
back after Lund could have gone back,
is the way Hansen put 1t. s. they're
oil goln' TO strike"
Ralney's mind reacted swiftly TO
Sondv's tain. It seemed luconceiyable
that Garrison would IT, willing 20 share
alike with the hunters and the crew.
Sandv'e Imagination had been running
a., .t ..,.,, Nof inau making %