Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-12-19
Continued from Yesterdays Starr

Lets take the bridge first" l said.
We ran up the ladders to the low
er bridge, and in the chartroom we
saw an officer lying on the floor in
a heap. Dan went into the chart
room. while Milliken followed me to
the upper bridge Here we found
two officers huddled behind the high
canvas dodger, and in the wheelhouse
behind, two seamen lay together, one
of them face downward with his
arm rove through a quadrant of the
wheel.
1t was as If the ship had been
struck by a sudden plague. l don't
know how Milliken felt about 1t. for
his ugly old face was mask of
stolid calm, but shivvers were run
ming up and down my spine. l kneel-
ed beside the officer next to me.
He's breathing, Millikenw l cried,
and I gently shook the supine figure
by the shoulders, but with "a sigh the
man only settled back more closely
against the rails.
Try the other man." 1 told Mill
ken.
My mechanic stepped over and
gently raised the officer-he was the
chief-into sitting position against
his knee. The man opened his eyes
and blinked at us, then with amaz
ing suddenness was wide awake.
What the hell?" he said, and stag
What are you doing on the bridge?
Get off the brid-' His gaze fell on
his brother officer. Here! What
have you been doing to Barr? You've
killed him.
He was a huge man, and he made
a move toward me with a look that
was not very pleasant.
Don't be silly" l said, as quietly
IS I might. Hes asleep-the same
as you have been"
What's the matter with the ship?
God, She's adrift. What" He
stared at US, and passed his hand over
his head. Lord, ] remember now
but it was dark then
Meantime Milliken had managed to
waken the younger man, and just then
Dan came up the ladder with the Of
ficer who had been lying on the floor
of the chartroom. Only byNhis braid
ed cap could one tell he was the cap
tain, for he was in pajamas with
thick blanket-coat over them.
whats the matter, Mr.. Boscence?"
he demandedly wildly. 1T is two
hours since we hove to-just before
six bells in the middle watch-Fve
been asleep-or unconscious. This
gentleman-what has happened to
the ship"
II don't rightly know, sir" the
chief said. passing his hand over his
head bewilderedly. There's some
The captain stuck out his white
torpedo beard.
Get some way on the ship. Ring
down. He whirled round to the
wheelhouse as he spoke, and broke
off. For the love of Cookbook at
the steersmen, What's come over the
ship?'
I nodded to Milliken, who ran into
the caboose and woke the seamen
quite easily.
Dan looked at me in a dazed sort
of way.
Jimmy" he gasped. ITS Wall
street all over again! You'd better
explain to the captain"
Where do you come from?" the
captain demanded. How do you get
aboard my ship? You're not pas
sengers."
You're Commodore Sir Peter Wea-
therly. aren't you, sir?" l asked
That's me-" he snapped.
I'm James Boon, Sir Peter" I ex-
planned. I've come out on my sea-
plane, the Merlin, to take Lord AL
meric Pluscarden on shore. We found
your ship adrift, and 1 managed to
land my machine on your awning aft
there The whole ship has been
doped. sir"
Ring down to the engine room,
can't you, Boscence?" the commodore
said to his second in command, ig-
noring me- I'VE must have some way
on her"
Il have done So sir" the bewil-
dered chief officer replied. Il get no
bell back from them
IF 1 might suggest something, Sir
Peter" l ventured. Let my me-
chanic, Milliken, go round with your
officer here" indicating the younger
man, land waken up the crew.
For a moment he stared at me as
though trying TO collect his thoughts,
then he nodded briskly.
DO that. Bar" he ordered. WAX e
the crew-though what on earth they
should be asleep for beats me. And
you, young man-Mr Boon, you say
you are-perhaps you'll explain as
much as you can of this business"
This is my friend. Mr.. Dan La
mont" l said He will bear out
what / tell you, sir. But first. let
me ask you to walk to where you
can look into the after we'll"
Come along. then-this wayr
He led the way down TO the boat
deck, and made for the rail over the
well.
God in Heaven he exclaimed.
MY men! Are they dead?'
mo, sir said Dan. 81 imagine
they're asleep as you have been
They'll waken easily"
Come to my cabin, gentlemen"
said the sailor. I'm all adrift /