Evening star., 1925-08-02

deck and when that cIatter had sub
sided there was a breathleSs pause
during which the skipper's jaw hung
down on his neck and the mate gaped
Cap'n Whelan was asking: How
did that come there, mister?"
Rimington shook his head stupidly
Flames said he.
The current took a firmer grip upon
the stubborn outrigger and was about
to jerk 1t out of the little world of
light into the immense darkness of
the sea, when Cap'n Whelan Sprang
heavily down the ladder, graSped the
canoe and lifted out the only occu-
pant with clumsy care. It's mission
done, the canoe went cheerfully to
oblivion.
Slowly and cautiously, as if his feet
were made of lead and his bones of
glass, Cap'n Whelan climbed back
and stood upon the Esmeralda's deck
with a queer soft bundle in his arms
from which emerged a downy bullet
head busy upon a wall of terror.
"Baby-young UNI" explained Cap'n
Whelan, helpfully.
Rimington held the lantern high,
that they might inspect this amazing
thing. The trinity were stilled for
moment in the slow-the vast, bloated
skipper; the thin. weary mate; be-
tween them the babe with its rose
leaf face, crinkled in misery and
gemmed with tears. its rose-leaf hands
beating the air, it's feet climbing in
visible stairs. CONSERVATION was the
dominant note in the attitude of the
two men, but to this, in the case of
Cap'n Whelan, was added terror lest
he should drop that bundle. His
arms tied into surprising knots to pre-
vent such a thing. For a space of
minutes neither spoke. but the baby's
thin wall held possession of the night
Then
Flames
Mister, l be blowed"'
In these words there was volume
specting the baby closely, as if they
feared it might be a fake or that it
would dwindle into air. The baby was
very real and it showed no signs of
dwindling, but kicked and wept.
Like blarsted little warm, soft
worm" said the skipper, when he had
time to decide that much and then he
added, striving to keep his voice gruff
and natural: Feels like 1t hadn't a
bone in it's little body, but wriggles
hke'n eel. 1t certainly does. So
soft, too-a young UNI
INHABITANTS of Mars discovering
mankind could not have been more
surprised and enthralled. They
studied 1t, they scarcely breathed.
The baby, finding even that strange
clasp more comforting than a wet and
worried canoe, grew easier.
What does it want coming here?
Wen have to get rid O. this mighty
quick, mister!' Cap'n Whelan made
ArSN L.,
ner. for the awful responsibility had
suddenly occurred to him. Cant be
keeping babies on the Esmeralda-
curse the little pestr'
They grinned together at the In
congruity of baby on the brig, but
they were nervous and self-conscious
as If the child had brought with it a
large audience which watched them
from an invisible theater.
"What'H we do with 1t, nister?''
The question was put solemnly. 1t
seemed there were many ways out of
the position, and the only problem
was which would be most satisfac.
tory; it seemed that it was possible
to press a button and nurse and
nursery would evolve to take charge
of that little white babe on the River
Panjermassa.
The mate failed to find any of the
suggestions which his master needed
and at that moment a small hand
went up toward the skipper and grip
ped his moist stub of beard in a man
ner suggestive of possession which
was conqueringly appealing and
struck Cap'n Whelan as little short
of miraculous.
He laughed in the foolish fashion
of man delighted at chiId's favor.
well, I'll be - he cried.
did ever y see anything that cute!
do believe it's taken a reg'lar fancy
to me. Seems like as If 1t reckons on
having an option over me-
Unconscious pride was in his voice
and he was puffed up like a pouter
pigeon.
Surprising things were happening
in the heart of that lonely man who
had no kith, no friends, nothing on
brig. Perhaps, after all, the upheaval
within Cap'n Whelan was not sur
prising at all-perhaps it was the
most natural thing in the world. He
was recalled to realities by lunging
kick, which was nearly his undoing,
for his grasp had slackened. He
frightened 1t again to a bear hug of
concern, whereupon the rose-leaf face
was troubled once more and the soft
mouth trembled
Its off again" CALCULATED Capn
Whelan, and he was right.
On impulse inherited from fathers
back to Adam, Bluenose swung his
arms in a rocking motion and walked
the deck like any dutiful suburban
husband, while the inscrutable eyes
of a Dyak crew followed him and the
River Panjerma massa-uncharted, un-
knoWn-laughed
'Hush," said he, and repeated this
odd lullaby with such reverent fervor
that 1t was softened to a prayer. Mr..
Mate walked behind as humble
slave, swinging the lantern, marvel
ing.
The cries ceased, but the walk
went on.
Have to keep it aboard tonight, I
guess" whispered Cap'n Whelan, con-
- 2;ESJ1.