The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-04-11

EOREcAsTLE, a low. narrow and
4 q dark hole. An evil-smelhng hur-
ricane lamp is suspended from the
ceiling. The Pickering flame is sick,
very sick, and yet 1t is vaiantly
struggling to keep alive; suddenly 1t
flares up angrily, almost spitetully,
and then Just as suddenly, the flame
shrinks as if taken by internal
cramps and draws contours Of the
men before the mast, contours that
may look grotesque, but, nevertheless,
are real, very real indeed.
Stuffy. heat-charged, oppressive
atmosphere. Half a dozen men, tired,
dead, beat after the sweltering day,
are already in their bunks-bunks
from which comes smell Of perspira-
ton, coal dust and tar, all mixed
in one. Several men sitting around
the table are reading, or trying to
read watching their chance when the
light flares.
Sewing burlap patches over the
shoulder and back - two men are
mending their shirts. their only
shirts, and, consequently, they have
stripped themselves to the waist.
They are sewing, their broad should
ers and backs are bent, the red
streaks Of sun-buun. like lsshes Of
whip, run over the ripping muscles
that stand out so prominently and
signify-POWER.
An oppressive atmosphere is stuf-
fed in the forecastle, and al is so
frightfully quiet, Yet, one can feel
that there Is something in the air.
AS If somebody here in agony, and
wanted to scream aloud, protest
but IS suppressing his pain, which
leaves him feverish, trembling with
internal heat. burning with unrest
and then being unable to hold any
longer. he would get up, grit his teeth
and grapple with his mortal enemy
whom he would smash, tear to pie
ces thus it feels.
On deck all is quiet. The tropical
night is calmly looking down, and
adnliring with a sarcastic grin the
old ship Margaret, her lofty spars,
Tiggings that are painted white and
in the moonl1t night shine and gilt
ter like silver, giving her the look
of q phantom ship that on leaving
port and sailing forth - is never
heard of again
A rowboat coming from shore
hangs against the side Of the ship.
The ladder clatters as somebody is
coming up, and jumps on deck.
Powerful steps are heard going for
ward. they stop. then turn and enter
the forecastle The hurricane light
In shame and anguish. it shines
brighter, gives welcome flare and
reveals deep-chested sailor man
who has just entered and stands in
the middle Of the floor with his
brawny arms folded across his chest.
He is about to speak, He looks
around Again the light contracts
and then suddenly flushing red as if
in shame and anguish, it hines
upon the late corners weather beaten
and rather handsome face that is
now bruised. battered, swollen and
one eye almost closed.
well, Olaf, what did the consul
tell you?" Anders confronted him
Anders big, raw-boned Finn in
quiringly looking through his deep
set eyes that made a strange con-
trast with his weather. beaten, battle
SCARED face by virtue of being so
blue, so clear and of such strength
and determination rightly to be adj
nlired.
ooh, the b" exclaimed Olaf
He looked around, his swollen face
took a sad expression. HE threw
me out" he began, and after a pause,
continued: what could 7 do? I
told the consul how the captain had
framed an innocent man, thrown him
In prison in order to clear himself Of
having deliberately may as well say:
thrown the soldier overheard! I also
showed the consul our statement
signed by all Of US, how the captain
is responsible for the death of three
Of our shiprlates, who we're washed
overheard when he preached the ship
into the gale.
But the consul simply laughed
He tore up our statement He did
1t SO coolly, deliberately tearing it into
small bits, over and over again, and
then he let the small bits fall into
the waste basket, like he was play
ing. Again he laughed. stood and
looked, just looked. The consul saw
me and frowned. Get out Of herer
he cried"
7 would not go. 7 still persisted,
wanted to tell, explain how the
captain had so unjustly thrown jim
my in prison. I wanted him to be