The spectator., 1922-02-03
COPYRIGHT BoBBs MERRILL co.

l bN UINh tttiNliiS to hiIi.
 Right Matey, things are comin to head. There's ice in the air. can smell it. Feel the difference In temperature? Ice, all right An that means two things. We're nigh one of the Aleutians an Bering strait is full of ice. Early. a bit, but there's nothin' res'lar bout the way ice thing1l break before we make the l strait
 "There'S one thing in our favor. Tore l Savin Sandy has set you solid with the hunters. They won't be so keen to maroon you. An they'll think twice about putin me ashore blind. l used to git along fine with the hunt CTS. All said an done, they're men at bottom. Got their hearts gold-plat- ed right now. But"
 He seemed obsessed with the idea that the crew, with Carlsen as prime instigator, had determined to leave 1 them stranded on some volcanic, lone ly barren islet. Rainey wondered what actual foundations he had for that theory.
 He found no chance to talk with Sandy. He noticed the boy looking l at him once or twice, wistfully he thought, and yet furtively Carlsen did not appear during the morning. neither did the hunters Nor the girl.
 At noon Carlsen came up to take 1 his observation. He said nothing to Rainey, but the latter noticed the doe tors face seemed more sardoSic than usual as he tucked his sextant under his arm.
 With Hansen on deck they all assem- bled at the table with the exception of the captain. Tamada served per verSed with the girl in low voice. Once or twice she smiled across the table at Rainey in friendly fashion.
 Skipper enny better:" asked Lund. at the end of the meal
 Carlsen ignored him, but the girl answered.
 T am afraid not" It was not often she spoke to Lund at all, and Rainey wondered if she had experienced any change of feeling toward the giant as we'll as himself
 Carlsen 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 forcgather with the hunters, and that this might be an opportunity to talk with Sandy.
 Coin to turn in," he said Eyes hurt me. lis the ice in the wind"
 Carlsen had already vanished and the girl went to her room.
 The door from the galley corridor opened, and q head was poled in eau tiously Then Sandy came into the cabin.
 Beg pardon, Mister Rainey, sir" said the rouStabout Y was through with the dishes. I wanted to have talk with yer" His pop-eyes roamed about tho cabin doubtfully.
 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, irrcsolute. his slack jaw working as if he>was chew 1 ing something, what is it. my lad?"
 They'd kick the stuffin' out of me | If they knew this" said Sandy. I've bin warned to hold my tongue. Dem ing said he'd cut it out If chattered. An he would. But"
 But what? Sit down. Sandy; I won't give you away"
 You went overheard after me, Sir 1 None of them would. I've heard what Mir. Carsen said, that I didn't ermount to nothin'. Mehbe I don't. but I've got my own reasons for hangin' on. Me, of course I don't ermount to much. Why would I? If ever had mother an father, I never laid eyes on 'em. l I've made my own Twin sence was eight. I've never 'ad enough grub in my belly till 1 worked for Tamada The Jap slips me prime fillin'. He's only Jap, but he's got more heart l than the rest O that bloody bunch put 1 tergether."
 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 Carlsen who's turned 'em into lot of bloody Bol- sheviks, sir. Told 'em they ought to have an ekal share in the gold. Ekal all round all except Tamada-en' me. don't count An Tamada's a Jap The men is sore at MT. Lund becoz he sez the skipper left him be'ind 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 jump him, but Hansen sort of hints that Cap'n Simms ought to have gone back after Lund, could have gone back is the way Hansen put it. So they're | all pOin' 10 strike"