New Britain herald., 1924-06-03
of scafarers.


 of scafarers.
 i "I know it's a pretty big job foI my skill" Bill answered promptly "If there was real Nj. n. on tho boat or within a thousand miles wouldn't tackle it--thoush INt | tackled some pretty stiff jobs, and got away with 'em. too, my years al sca. If | don't work on that face hell he a monster 10 look al the rest of his life. really think l can helr him--l believe if he was conscious he'd tell me to go ahead" Peter opened his eyes again "t'n, conscious" he said thickly His jaw i wobbled as he tried to enunciato Co ahead"
 The sailors looked at him with nc great amazement. That's another complication that you're conscious, " ] Bin returned. We haven't an, ancsthetic."
 Co ahead, anyway My face hasn't any feeling in if, at all |, ! feels numb"
 Pm afraid it won't be numb when [ get to work on it But we're q Aliuubulib lliifS lFOlli Ifhl NhEEfbl, and you've got to have help. I'll be as easy as I can"
 Bill went to work---to the absolute limit Of his skin. He stitched great, ugly cuts, he bandaged loose, torn strips of flesh, he tied bleeding veins, he fastened again--with some delft ness-a torn eyelid that was the re- suit of long cut that passed diag- onally across his face and which had broken the bone Of the nose, and he tried his best to set the broken jaw. Through it all Peter clenched his hands, bit tho wedge that Bill had placed between his jaws. and said nothing.
 "Thc boys got guts," Bill had said with emphasis.
 StabbinE, burning pain in his jaws and face woke Peter late in the night; and he was somewhat surprised to find Bill sitting at his bedside. Don't try 10 talk" the latter eau tioned quickly. You won't do any talking for some weeks. my boy. But l can sec you're better"
 Peter managed 10 grin wanly and moved his hand as if in the act of writing. I3ill understood promptly.
 "I1l get you a piece of paper in minute. It's lucky for you you know how to read and write. I've got 10 look at some Of those bandages first though" He slipped off some of the stained white strips, storilized the wounds. and put on fresh band ages. Just doing inc, so far" he gloated with professional pride. You won't look like you, but .you'll look like something. You wanted a piece of paper? Wait q second.''
 He laid the back Of an envelope on the rail of the bunk and put a pencil in Peters hand. The latter wrote simply like the scafaring man he was coming to be.
 What ship and where bound ?' '' BiR read aloud. Naturally. you would bc interested in that. This is tho auxiliary schooner Dolly 5ettis, sailed from Naknek for Siberia. But don't worry-ue'1i be back 10 In- alaska in six months. and from there 10 Frisco. I hope you haven't got any pressing engagements"
 Peter Erinned in his bandages. and at the cost or some pain shook his head.
 Good. Don't want 10 be put of if ue meet any one7"
 The csstaHay indicated mo" again.
 Then we'll be shipmates for some time. The captaingl he glad to sign you up: though you haven't the hands of a seafarinE man. there's always something you can do. What do they call youg''
 Peter took the paper again and started 10 write Peter Neville. the Hame he had gone underline few times he had occasion 10 give his name-during his residence in the native village. But he halted before he had completed the first word. 4 sudden, deeply moving thought flashed like a light in his mind.
 He was hardly aware that Bill had picked up the paper. Pete, eh," he read. Many men, in this remote end Of the North, eo by first names only; and fl Is not considered the best man uers to inquire too closely as to what the family name might he. They were man to man. and Biu had 10 desire to embarrass his friend. He seemed perfectly mattsr-of-fact and. Erf-r1d 5n i. f-41n5f-f nav HIIna-