The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-06-25
By WALT CARMON

4heaO was tlnOWH AIIO d frenzy.
God :" he cursed Historically He reached
for bar and threw it mady at the screening bird
missing it by inches.
The Swede held his arm. "Come on Yank, let's
wash up"
He led him to the showers The others looked on
silently.
go easy with the kid" one whispered.
Here Mat throw your bloody overalls m sweat
shirt into my bucket. Let it soak"
He had not changed since the trip began. The
overas he to his waist were stiff with sweat
grease and coal-dust He handed them over to soak.
They could be washed tomorrow.
Another watch. More coal for the red mouth of
the Moloch An unsatisfied, deep-bellied monster.
The coal in the bunkers far back now Deep
in the back it in a straight ledge to the very
ceiling. Above, few huge boulders held the mass
together. Mat shovelled from the foot of it fear
fully.
Watch that damn pile" the Swede cautioned.
Careful when the ship rolls"
Mat heaped the wheelbarrow and started away.
The ship rolled and the ledge moved. He dropped
the wheel-barrow and turned, backing away. The
huge bouders crashed down past Mat and mass of
coal swirled and eddied about him.
Jesus. J" The Swede cried.
The rushed to Mats aid. Before the furnace
they pulled his overalls his knees to disclose
mass Of torn skin and bruises
The Swede felt for broken bones.
"Nothin' much, thank Christ. That'll heal with
quart of liquor as soon as we land"
Mats nerves gave away. He did not feel the
bruised legs. From head to foot his body thumped
in pain. The falling coal a last straw that made
him reel before his mates. The Swede held him
under the ventilator
STEADY now, Yank. Steady, boy j"
The third engineer looked on sympathetcaly. He
nodded to the Swede He held Mats arm and led
him pale, unnerved, to the ladder To his cabin He
poured large tumbler full of whiskey and handed
it to Mat He drank, hardly aware of his actions
The raw liquor thru his aching body
In moment the WEAKNESS had passed.
Feel better?"
Mat nodded.
He returned to the stoke-hoe Ashes were piled
in heaps. Two more men on the sick list threw all
three shifts behind. Mat volunteered for overtime
with the rest of the men.
The cockney gripped his hand. you're the first
bloody clerk with quits in i'm l ever saw"
The Swede looked approvingly
Three gn-soaked days in port Three days Of
rest for aching muscles Three days to forget. The
spells of faintness were passing. His body was
gradually becoming less pain-wracked. His muscles
were hardening.
The tender breeze of the South Seas was a soft
caress. The montonous beat of the motors was be-
coming a soothing hum The ship rolled ahead
lightly on calm seas, onward into space The skies
were star-laden
The Swede pointed out the Southern Cross glean-
ing overhead They sat deserted deck enjoy
ing cigarette before going down for four more
hours in hell. Maybe six lone sailor stood on
watch the forward deck.
"E-le-ven O'Clock and all is we-l-li" he sang out
From below, stoker in good natured banter
called
"And all the sailors can go to he-l-l!"
The Swede smiled. "You see, Yank, seein' you
must your Twin the sea amt so bad"
Mat paused a moment maybe it amt" Tonight
he looked at life leniently. Anyway, I'd like
to choose what want to do"
The Swede smiled in the dark
YAM I've been to sea for fifteen years now.
worked a farm in Sweden. Ran away from there.
l worked in factories in the States. I worked all
my life. And it's ali the same. Sweat work, eat,
Sleep"
They sat quietly moment.
'"Then croak, suppose" Mat ventured.
The Swede tossed his cigarette over the rail- The
light flickered moment, then disappeared
"Just like that"
The ship rolled on into space.
'Will it ever be different Swede?"
There are some who say it WILL"
The Swede He added with emphasis: