The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-02-16

Maize paused and fixed the
innkeeper with compelling eyes
tell him to deliver this letter to
Miss Polly Chelsey if it's-human-
" possible, because it will right a
great wrong"
When Mr.. Toby had fetched
paper and ink and a quill, Maize
Miller sat down at a table and
began to compose a letter.
Jerry Whitfield and his COM
RAMON, Cabell Banks of Boston,
were in the small dark prison hold
of the brig Sunrise, playing a
game with hemp strands. 1t was
a childish game. but it kept them
frurl losing their minds. There
was in the prison hold a great
deal Of massive coiled rope, an
overflow from the cable tier.
From this stout wet rope that
Smellcd 50 reckiugly of bilge-
water and the sea they pulled
hemp strands with infinite care,
and these they pitted against
each other in various ways. They
were particular about the rules
they made. and events were con-
duc.cd very Spnrtingly. Whoever
lost an event paid two pence to
the winner.
At tines Jerry would interrupt
the game with an OutburSt of
nerves and would climb the lad
der toward the open hatch. AL
ways and at once marines
bayonct would send him down
again.
If you keep that up" Cabell
Banks complained irritably,
they'll close the hatch. \ little
daylight helps"
Yes" Jerry agreed. But it
seems like I've got to keep trying.
Something drives me to keep try
ing"
why" Cabell asked. What
do you hope to gain?'
My freedom. Listen,
Banks, | don't mean to boast, but
I'm a good swimmer. I'm one of
the best swimmers that ever came !
out of Gloucester. 1t would be |
nothing for me to swim ashore |
now. Tomorrow may be too late"
II disagree. Tomorrow would |
be better. because Your head |
would be better healed. You've |
got nasty cut there, near the
crown"
That said Jerry disdainfully. |
IL tell you, Banks, tomorrow may |
be too late. l believe we're get
ting ready to sail. | know the !
signs. They're bringing on pro-
visions. Sailors are coming on
board. Listen, if you don't be-
lieve me-
81 believe you. All right, we're
getting ready to sail, and I've got
this to say about tit will be |
better for you when we do sail.
If you get your chance and try to
swim for it, you'll be shot. It's
that simple"
81 wonder you can be so recon-
ciled to this floating jail~ Jerry !
exclaimed bitterly.
Cabell Banks shrugged. 81 can
afford to bide my time: I've got |
no fiancee who thinks I've de-
serted her."
In the long watches of several
sleeplesS nights they had ex-
changed life histories; i'll assorted |,
though they were, these conf !
denceS had given them admiration
and respect for each other. Jerry
knew the rich mans son to be
brave, loyal, and shrewd; Cabell
had discovered Jerry Whitfield to
be brave, loyal, and obstinate.
Both had streak of recklcSSness.
but in Jerry it was far more pro-
nounced; he was in love, and that
state begets a special form Of
madness al Its own.
They were confined i'm the
! prison hold continuously except
for half an hour a day above
deck for exercise. It had been so
since their interview with Captai9
Steel That ira'c officer had no
, sooner recovered from the shock
J Of their INSTRUMENTATION than he
had had them returned to rrison
quarters. with all privileges
suspended.
Tie called them "thc Scagoinn
EcaSant and the rich Boston
fool" and when be thought of the
ioston boys in$olcnt boast that
he would outfit privateer
against England and make the
gloucester sailor his first mate.
nc all but had a stroke of apo
. plcXy.
Yet that order of his for 20
whip laSheS on jeremiah Whit
fields barred back had not vet
been cOnSummatcd Not vet
In the prison hold Jerry was
looking upward toward the opcn
hatch. Listen" he said to Ca
bell Banks. Something's Going
! on. They climbed the ladder,
part way, to catch the sudden
shouting in the forccaStlc. 1t was
Jerry who interpreted it:
We're going out with the
tide" he said bitterly. Bound
for the North Sea-"
WnDRCDc tn oxIr., -.