The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-05-16

ly.
"Sir, 1 know all the instigators and
can give definite proof"
GO to the devil" Kissed. "What
good are your lying tales to me
now?"
He slid ahead of me and, stopping,
passed quickly into the quarters of
the crew.
was extremely surprised that
nothing in my room had been touched;
everything was in it's accustomed
place. This was a good sign. TAX
ing my cigaretts, returned to the
mess-room. l wanted to see what
was happening on the other ships,
so, complaining of a headache, l ask
ed the captain of the guard for per-
mission to mount to the upper deck
for few moments to get some fresh
air. was given polite permission
and one of the watch was told to
accompany me.
We mounted by the officers trap.
AS soon as my head appeared above
deck, gust of wind splashed my
face with cold. On reaching the
deck, looked around; at the first
glance everything appeared as usual,
the squadron was in the same posi-
ton as during the day, the ice had
not been broken and continued to
hold the waters of the harbor in its
cold letters. AS last night, ragged
clouds tore swiftly across the sky and
between them, in the dark and dis
tant heights, shivered the golden
| splashes of stars. There was only
one change: on the naked masts Of
all the ships, large and small, heavy
and swift, glowed crimson lights.
These told all-the border of the
new era, joy and hope for some, tears
and despair for others. To be sure,
in the distance one glimpsed mighty
fortress, dark and silent; evidently
there had been no uprising as vet.
Perhaps its heavy artillery was train
ed on our squadron. But could it
stop the unbridled onslaught of revo-
| luton?
/ glanced at my towers; all were
/ turned so that the muzzles of their
! guns faced shore, all the cannon were
trained on the iron-bound embank-
ments. On the bridge passed the
dark forms of sailors, looking through
| glasses. The ship was preparing for
! battle Evidently all the squadron was
on its guard.
On the farther side of the fortress,
nearer to US, glimmered the occas-
ional lights Of the city. Proceeding
toward it along the ice was large
party of sailors. They We're evil
IDENTIFY going on shore to start the
rebellion there.
l had a wife and daughter in the
city. had seen them only yester-
day. Will ever see them again? At
this thought something seemed to
strike to my heart and deep in my
soul a cord snapped. ! stood with my
hands in my pockets, feeling as lone
ly as if the whole world had betray-
ed me. Three PAGES away stood a
Waterman who would put bayonet
or bullet into me at the slightest sus-
picious movement on my part.
l turned my head at the sudden
sound of screams and curses. A few
men were dragging the boatswain,
Soloveikin along the deck; he was
hanging back and pleading.
Brothers, what are you doing?
Let me go. l will swear by all that
is holy that said nothing. You may
ask the captain"
"Liar, traitor! We heard you our
selves"
"Have mercy, comrades. You'll
make two orphans"
"You should have thought of that
before" stern voice answered him.
Near the railing he sank down on
his knees and, unable to speak, moan
ed piteously. The night whistled
mockngly through the rigging. For a
moment the gloom was torn by a
burst of fire. The wind caught up
| and carried into the darkness the
sounds of a revolver shot and a dy-
ing scream.
There was an abrupt command,
"Heavew
And the dead body of Soloveikin
thumped on the thick ice.
l looked overheard; there, on the
CLASSY surface Of the water were the
dark spots of corpses--the first mate,
Ismaelov, Lieutenant Brasov, the
electrician Golovin and others whom
/ did not know. Perhaps the same
fate would be mine. felt the blood
thicken in my veins.
Night hung heavily over the earth
A cold wind tore through the dark
ness. From countless masts glowed
the rays Of swinging red lights.
0 Russial Where are you bound
When we came down again, was
permitted to retire to my own cabin
| e.. A. ...n.LA