Evening star., 1928-12-30

TT often happens that the most
vital thing In a mans world is
something he accepts so casually.
4 so much as a matter OF course,
that its importance escapes him.
Capt. Graham had been going to sea
some 80 years before the abrupt knowl-
edge came to him that he served
master greater than his owners, greater
than his ship, greater even than deep
water itself. Indeed, all these others
owners, ship and deep water-in their
turn served this master. Men signed
away for some reason they considered
good. for fame, money, love, bread, ad-
venture. Such things were the stars
that held them, to which they gave
their youth, their manhood, often
enough their lives. But, after that one
Capt Graham knew that ships and
men and the sea we're bent to one pur-
pose, to one end. to the yoke and serv-
ice Of one silent and inexorable mas
ter, before which duty, honor, love, toll,
fame, adventure, life itself, were as in
cense offered before some ancient and
Indifferent shrine.
The Carradine loaded lumber at
Grays Harbor for San Francisco and
points south this particular voyage.
For two weeks the winches ratified
mates watched that the stowage was
properly done, this size lumber placed
so, that size placed otherwise. First
into the ship must go the stuff con-
signed for San Diego. Above that the
stuff consigned for San Pedro. And
above that again the main cargo for
San Francisco. This last overfowed
from the holds, which already held two
million feet, and another million was
carefully stacked on deck and made
fast with great chains.
In time the Carradine was ready for
the sea. The pilot came aboard. The
telegraphs changed, and the vessel moved
away. The next dawn found her lifting
and falling across sullen leaden SwellS,
her rigging wet and dripping from the
rain that drove out of a sickly sky and
her whole lumber-gorged being shaking
and creaking from the pounding OF
her engine. Capt Graham, who had
been up all night, took a last look
around, crossed the bridge to peer into
the compass, and then, with a word to
his mate, went below. 1t was about
that time things began to happen.
CrAPT. GRAHAM was Just finishing
~ a belated breakfast when the
THE second engineer sir" said the
steward, triffle breathless. He's
broken his leg"
Lego" said Capt. Graham.
'He fell over the steam-pipe casing,
sir. We took him to his room"
We'll, well!" jeyked Capt. Graham.
''I'li be right along"
The steward went away. Capt. Gra-
ham went amidships, st1rdy, brisk
man, with graying hair, keen blue eyes,
and a pleasant. red face. He hustled
set the broken leg with quick, steady
fingers, while he chatted amiably.
When he left, the second engineer was
lying contentedly on his back, his in
jured limb swathed in bandages, and,
though bis face was white and drawn,
enjoying one Of Capt. Grahams cigars.
The captain, returning to his cabin,
prepared to get some sleep. He climbed
into his bunk and was just pulling the
blankets up to his chin when the Car
radine was shaken by heavy crash.
pounded along the deck. The second
mate raped on the captains door.
"Yes?" said Capt. Graham. What
Is 1t now?"
Fall wire Of the derrick the men
were working with aft, SIR" said the
second mate. He removed his cap,
came over the step, and stood on the
mat just inside the door. Dropped
the boom on those drums Of case oil
we had lashed to the rail-" i
ANY one hurt?"
''No, sir"
The captain went aft to inspect the
damage, gave a few orders to the mate,
and then came midship again, in time
to stop fight that was raging all
over the galley between the chief stew
ard and the third mate, while the
cook, purple with rage at the desecra-
ton of his private shrine, lowered
around, posing heavy aluminium pot,
ready to take a crack at the first head
that issued from the melee. The cap
tain burst on the scene with an out
ayTyau ~~S ~,n.a