Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-01

| first round of the argument. But the
| crew then dema nded to speak with the
captain. believing that IL he was on
bad terms with the mate he would
| stand by them.
The meeting was held on the lower
| bridge. the captain standing outside
| the doorway Of his cabin, newly
shaved. washed and changed. at the
mates insistence. He held on to the
Intel of the door with one hand. as IL
weak, and the mate stood beside him,
grim and silent and watchful. The
second mate stood near. restless and
obviously in sympathy with the men.
The spokesman for the crew had their
say, and the captain seemed undecided
what to do. lie caught the mates
cold eyes~-slightly contemptuous, IL
seemed - and with a gesture turned
things over to him.
Mr.. Collins will do the best he can
for you. I'm sure" he said, weakly,
and entered his cabin. The secono
mate choked. The men were taken
aback. Rumor had lied. 1t seemed.
The mate smiled slightly. and with a
suggestive motion buttoned his open
jacket.
Get off the bridge he said. Jelly.
And let's have no more of this non
sense"
They filed slowly away, muttering
ana sullen, but for the present queiled.
Young Martin hurried down to his
friend the steward and said: THE way
the mates handling things Is making
the men sore. If it was me now, I'd
explain everything tn them and rely
on their common sense. But he's got
that old windjammer idea--thinks an
officers something like a god and
doesn't have to explain"
On the lower bridge the captain had
emerged from his room again and was
holding the mates arm.
You see, Collins, they're all ready
TO abandon her. No one would blame
us If we Just edged over nearer the
coast and then took TO the boats.
quite easy. . Don't look at me
like that. I didn't interfere with you
and the men, did /? Don't YOU
see how things are coming our way?
The ships about finished We don't
even have to blow hole In her.
You're a sick man. sir" answered
the mate. grmiy. You don't know
what you're saying
"A F'TER many days the coal gave
out. The mate gave orders to Use
the steamers woodwork and the hours
We're fiiied with the ring of axes. The
Biscardi was now near the African
coast. IL being the mates intention to
get az close In az possible, in case he
should be forced to beach the ship
Steam was previously boarded for the
engine, All hands labored like Tro.
JAMS. unwilling and sullen, but over
awed by the grim. lean figure that
prowled sleeplessly among them.
The evening the African coast was
sighted. far down on the horizon. the
food was nearly done. and the Bis
cardi was desolate. stripped ruin. as
regards superstructure. Not once dur.
ing all the long and slow passage had
she sighted another ship from which
fuel could be obtained, and the even.
ing she made her landfall the men
had started to strip the cabins and
the foc'sle. That night the men dis
cussed the ACCESSIBILITY of taking to
the boats and pulling for the shore.
but they could find no one of their
number with sufficient courage to ap.
proach the mate about the matter:
All the next day, with the line of
the coast hazily In sight. the strip. |
ping of the cabins went on. inter
spersed with spells at the hand
pumps. The captain had remained
in his room. having his meals
hroIgh. UP from the saloon and hold.
ing converse with no one except the
mate. who visited him once or twice
a day. TO report. The captain had
apparently given up his ideas OF
wrecking the ship.
The weather ihickened that night,
and swell sprang up from the north
The mate was on the bridge. looking
over IA chart during the second mates
twelve-tofour watch. and when he
left the chartroom he stood for a
while by the fosard rail. Young Mar
tin paced past him once or twice. then
stopped tn peer down on the main
deck. where men were breaking up
some doors by the light OF lanterns.
He joined the silent mate and coughed
to attract attention.
Skipper was up here about an hour
ago, sir" he stated. Seems to have |
perked up quite a lot. Said we'd all |
done splendid work to bring this old |
hearsc i'm. lie asked about the course. |
and took squirt at the chart. | |
suppose he'll be taking things over |
pretty soon.
Quite possibly" said the mate. lie |
was vaguely disturbed by the CONVEX. |
sation. though he could not tell why. |
lie stared anxiousiy into the murk, |
where he knew the coast lay. and |
wondered II he should get more of an |
otiing. The glass was holding steady. |
though. 1t was "A thick night. OF |
course, but there was no sign OF a |
blow, for while. at least.
Eyes, he was quite cheerful. sir" |
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