The Hennessey Clipper (Hennessey, Okla.), Vol. 28, No. 19, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 4, 1917 Page: 2 of 12
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I
THE CUPPER. HENNESSEY. OKLAHOMA
CONTRABAND
99
By RANDALL PARRISH
A War Sea Story Abounding in Adventure
and High Romance
Copyright A. C. McClurg 8c Co.
HOLLIS CONSENTS TO TAKE CHARGE OF SHIP AND CON-
TINUE VOYAGE—BASCOM AND M'CANN ARE DEADLY
ENEMIES-DISSATISFACTION DEVELOPS.
Sync psis—Robert Hollis, who tells the story, is a guest on
Glrnnl < *rrlngton's yacht, Esmeralda. It Is supposed to be a "/<Uig"
party, and Hollis is surprised on discovering a woman, who evidently
wishes to remain unknown aboard. She merely tells him her name
is Vera. Carrlngton tells his guests of the coming war, and that he
Is engineering a copper pool. The yacht is sunk In a collision anil
Hollis saves Met'aim, millionaire, and one of the party. Hollis and Mc-
Cann rescue Vera and leave the ship in a small boat. McCann refuses
to submit, to the authority of Hollis, and the latter enforces obedience.
The castaways are sighted by a ship, the Indian Chief, which takes
them aboard. The vessel is badly storm damaged. All nllleers are dead.
Bascom, the owner, says he Is taking a cargo of ammunition to Germany.
CHAPTER X.
We Accept Adventure.
As I emerged from behind the butt
of the mizzenmast, the only person vis-
ible was a long-legged cabin boy In-
dustriously rubbing away at a grease
spot on the deck. He was not aware
of my presence until I spoke, when
he gazed up at nit? across his shoulder,
with seeming little Intelligence in his
dull eyes.
"Do you know which of these state-
rooms the lady was given?"
"Oh, yes, sir; over there; I just took
her in a needle an' some thread."
"All right—what Is your name?"
"Joe—Joe Moon, sir."
1 crossed over and rapped at the
stateroom door, which had a ligure "5"
stenciled on the upper panel.
"Who is there?" she asked.
"This is. Hollis; could you spare n>e
few moments?"
"Certainly; I vyllI come out directly,"
she laughed, "I have been doing some
emergency mending."
I picked out a chair and sat down.
A moment later the door of No. 5
opened, and the girl greeted me pleas-
antly, crossing the cabin swiftly, and
extending her hand, as I arose to my
feet.
"I feel actually born anew, Mr. Hol-
lis," she exclaimed. "1 am almost
fifrnld I was losing my nerve in that
little boat. Where Is this steamer
bound?"
"That Is what I called upon you lo
discuss. Sit down here, and I will give
you the whole story. The captain and
both mates are dead; the fellow on |
deck In charge when wo came on board
was the chief engineer. The owner of
boat and cargo, however, Is here; I
have just been talking with him in
the cabin yonder. He is in poor health
and crippled in one limb."
"What is his name?"
"Foolishly I forgot to ask, and Mas-
ters—that is the name of the engi-
neer—neglected to mention it when bo
Introduced us. However, that makes
no difference in the facts. I'll tell you
the story, as briefly as I can."
She listened intently, leaning for-
ward In her hair, her ringless hands
clasped, her eyes on my face. The
Her Eyes Were Shining, and Her Hand
Reached Forth, Unconsciously, and
Rested in Mine.
simple story seemed to thrill her,
breathing as It did tho mystery and
romance of the sea.
"And that, Miss Vera," I said at last,
"Is the present situation. It Is for you
to furnish the final solution."
"For me! You tell me all this merely
to leuve the decision with me?"
"Yes ; I shall do nothing against your
expressed wish."
"Why—but what would you do, If
you were here alone?"
"That would be entirely different. I
have no family, no near relatives liv-
ing; not even any special friends to
mourn greatly over my demise. I
might willingly risk my life In such
an adventure, and think little of It.
1 know the sea and its perils, and such
a game as this Is likely to have Its
attractions. "
"You—you consider tho attempt very
dangerous?"
"(if capture, and possible Imprison-
ment— yes. I'rolmbly our lives will
not bo in any special peril. We have
no arms with which to resist. If once
overhauled, a prize crew would be put
on board, and we would be taken to the
nearest British or French port, as pris-
oners of war. Our cargo, destined for
the German government, would he am-
ply sulliclent to condemn us. Under
the circumstances, our own country
would make no effort to protect us. I
should not mind, but I cannot expose
you to hardship and possible impris-
onment."
Her eyes were shining, and her hand
reached forth, unconsciously, and rest-
ed on mine.
"How long would it require?"
"Weeks, probably; I should choose
the more northern route, around Scot-
land, and then skirt the Norway coast
through the North sea."
"To place me on some other vessel
at sea would spoil your plan, Mr. Hol-
lis?"
"It would render our chances of suc-
cess much less. The only possibility
would be the meeting of some Ameri-
can ship, homeward bound, whose cap-
tain would promise to make no report.
Such u one might be hard to find, espe-
cially if he suspected we were endeav-
oring to carry munitions of war to Ger-
many."
"Do you believe the Germans are
right in this war—that you ought to
aid them?"
"I cannot answer that," I answered
honestly enough, "for I do not fully
understand the conditions. To be per-
fectly frank, however, my sympathies
are with England and France. In
this case I am not considering either
side, but the poor devil who owns this
ship and cargo. What we carry on
board here will not be a drop in the
bucket, but its loss will spell ruin to
him, and that is the thought which In-
fluences me."
"And I could not even dispatch u
message—w ireless ?"
"The Indian Chief has no equipment.
No, Miss Vera, we shall be absolutely
lost to the world until we are either
captured, or safe In some German port.
I would not deceive you—the project
is both a desperate and a dangerous
one."
The girl remained silent, her eyes
lowered to the deck. I had said all
possible, determined as I was not to
influence her decision. As she did not
speak, or change her attitude, I arose
and walked across the cabin to where
I could look out forward.
"Mr. Hollis."
"Yes." I turned.
"1 must decide this? You mean to
leave It all to me?"
"There Is no other way."
"But I do not know what to say. I
thought at first I could answer yes,
gladly. I am not afraid, not the least
bit afraid; and it I could only get some
word back to my people in New York
that I am safe, I would almost welcome
the adventure. I am only a girl, you
know, and I—I like such things. Hut
they will worry horribly, for they have
no knowledge of where I am. No one
knows. I—I have simply disappeared,
and papa will have detectives hunt-
ing for me, and will have to tell
mother. They will Imagine ail sorts
of horrid things. And you say it may
lie weeks, or even months, before I
could get a message to America?"
"I am afraid so, Miss Vera; I wished
you to understand the exact truth."
"Oh I 1 do not think that would be
right—do you?"
"I thought you might feel that way,
and so made no pledge before telling
you the story. Of course, I knew noth-
ing of how you were situated; or mi-
ller what circumstances you had left
home."
"1 stole away unknown to anyone;
It was just a lark, a foolish joke. No
one knows where I am. If I could only
send them word!"
I touched the bent head gently with
my hand.
"Do not worry," I said kindly. "We
will give the scheme up entirely, and
head toward the nearest American
port, l'erhups luck may favor us, and
If we meet an American ship, we can
transship you, and then take a chance,
knowing that you are safely homeward
bound."
"Hut I understood you ti* say that
that would only increase your peril."
"It might, and It might not. At least
I will not consent to have you impli-
cated in the affair any further than you
are now. I will not sacrifice you to
help our friend yonder save his for-
tune. I'll give him my answer now."
I took a step nft, but paused sudden-
ly, for the door of the owner's cabin
opened, and ho came limping forth,
resting heavily on a cane, his white
face clearly revealed in the glare of
the skylight. I stepped back beside the
girl, who, aroused by my sudden move-
ment, glanced up and saw him. Almost
instantly she was upon her feet, hesi-
tated an instant as though perplexed
at the man's appearance; then ad-
vanced and met him.
"Mr. Bascom," she exelalnied, "can
this indeed be you?"
"You speak my name, certainly," he
replied, but gazing into her face seem-
ingly without recognition. "Yet I do
not recall—"
"Oh, yes, you do; surety you must,"
she Interrupted. "Why, you have
changed more than I. Do you not re-
member the moonlight nights at Palm
Reach? Tlio fishing parties along the
const ?"
"Vera 1" lie cried, a note of delight
in his voice. "Of course I remember;
but you have become a woman, the
very lust person In the world 1 expect-
ed to see. And so you are the lady
we were fortunate enough to rescue.
Mr. Hollis never even mentioned your
name."
"There was no reason why I should,"
I said, "having no thought of your pre-
vious acquaintance. The young lady
and I have just been discussing the sit-
uation—"
"Wait just a moment, Mr. Hollis,"
she interrupted, her eyes still on Bas-
com's face. "This discovery changes
everything. Mr. Bascom is an old
friend."
"So I judge; but I do not Intend to
let that influence your decision."
"But it will, und does!" a certain
impetuous appeal in her voice. "I did
not understand before, as I do now.
You are the owner, Mr. Bascom? This
is your boat and cargo?"
"Yes, Vera; things have not gone
well with me of late, und my entire for-
tune is here," he answered rather bit-
terly.
"I am sorry; I had not heard. You
have been terribly ill, from your looks,
and are lame. It—It was that affair
in New York, from which you never
recovered ?"
"I was in the hospital for months,
and scarcely hoped to live. That was
when my business went to smash."
"Father never told me; and your
mother?"
"Is living In Philadelphia, but in
rather straitened circumstances, and
ill; my younger brother has been com-i
polled to leave school and seek employ-
ment." He smiled weakly. "I had
hoped this voyage would set us all on
our feet ugaln."
She released her hand from his
grasp, and sank down once more into
the chair, her glance leaving his face,
und seeking mine.
"Mr. Hollis," she said, almost defi-
antly. "It is my wish that the Indian
Chief continue its voyage." ,
"But I cunnot consent—"
"You left this decision to me. Well,
I make that decision. My comfort,
even the momentary fear which my
family may feel over my strange disap-
pearance, could never justify my re-
fusal. I know this gentleman, and
have met his mother; we were good
friends. He shall not be ruined
through any whim of a girl. I urge
you to go ahead, not considering me in
tho least."
'I cannot quite understand so sud-
den n change."
"F?:haps you do not understand
wtmen," she said, and smiled. "Surely
you recall who Mr. Bascom is?"
"Not in the remotest degree."
"But we spoke of him iu the boat—
Philip Bascom."
My eyes widened, and I caught my
breath.
"Good heavens! yes; now I recall
the affair. He is the man Fergus Mc-
Cann shot in the hotel restaurant. That
was the accident he speaks of. Why,
this is strange enough to be fiction."
Bascom stood, leaning on his cane,
looking at us, as though failing to com-
prehend what It was we were talking
about. Possibly he did not catch our
words clearly, for his white face ap-
peared puzzled.
"You speak of me?" he asked, "of my
difficulty with McCann?"
She looked up at him earnestly.
"Yes; it Is very strange. You should
know the truth. There were three of
us who escaped together when the
yncht sank; Mr. Hollis, myself und—
Fergus McCann."
Bascom straightened, his lips pressed
tight.
"Ho Is here now; a guest on board
my ship?"
"Y'es; I do not know where—sleeping
In one of tho staterooms, probably. I
have not seen him since I came over
the side."
Bn scorn's expression was one of
struggle, us he stured into our faces.
I It was difficult for him to find words;
to even control his mind.
] "This—this is a misfortune," he said
finally. "I do not know how it will end.
I have sought to avoid the man. Miss
Vera, do you know the truth of that
affair? not the newspaper story, but
the facts?"
She shook her head.
"I only heard that the trouble oc-
curred over Myra Bradley. McCann
found you together, aud shot you in a
fit of jealous rage."
"So far the story was true; but I
was not at the restaurant with Miss
Bradley. I had never, but once before,
even spoken to her. She called me
to her table that evening, where she
was dining alone, to,question me re-
garding some mutual friends in Phila-
delphia. Our brief conversation was
most commonplace. McCann shot me
without wurnlng; I did not even know-
lie was near until the woman
screamed."
"Rut," I said, as he paused, "was
there no trial? That was not the news-
paper story."
"I know it," bitterly, "and I have
only my word to give you. I could not
defend myself, and no one else made
any effort to do so. .McCann hail
money and Influence; I was lying un-
conscious in a hospital. The girl was
shipped off to Europe; a waiter swore
that I drew a revolver, which he after-
wards picked up on the floor; the po-
lice exonerated McCann on the ground
of self-defense, and the case never
came to trial."
I held out my hand.
"Having had some experience lately
with McCann," I said heartily, "I am
perfectly ready to accept your version.
His being on board is awkward and
unpleasant, but we must put up with
it as best we can. Is this your thought,
Mr. Ruscom?"
lie did not answer at once; not
until she looked up questioningly.
"There is nothing else possible," he
said at last, but as though th'e admis-
sion hurt. "My nature is not revenge-
ful, although I certainly have no feel-
ing of kindness toward this man. How-
ever. this is my ship, and he is my
guest; as long as he remains on board,
I shall treat him us I would any other
under like circumstances."
"I knew you would say that," the girl
exclaimed. "Now everything is all
right,' Mr. Hollis?"
"As nearly so as we can make it," I
answered, assuming an ease I was far
from feeling. "Y'our decision is that
we continue the voyage—to Germany?"
"To wherever Mr. Ruscom desires to
go-"
"Very well. And you appoint me
captain, delegating to me full author-
ity?"
"I do, with pleasure."
I held out my hand, surprised to note
the strong grip of the slender, white
lingers responding to my clasp.
"The matter is settled then, let the
result prove what it may. It is already
growing dusk; I will go on deck aud
assume command."
faces, noting, it seemed to me, charac-
teristics of every race on earth, and
realizing that here before me was
grouped the scum of the seven seas.
"Men," I began, gripping the rail and
speaking swiftly, "my name is Hollis,
and I held command in the old Atlas
line. The owner of this vessel and
cargo—Mr. Philip Rascom—has just
done me the honor of appointing me as
captain for the remainder of the voy-
age."
The fellows remained silent, except
for the restless shuffling of their feet
on tlie deck.
"And what Is the vige to be. mister?"
suddenly asked a hoarse voice back iu
the group.
"The same one you signed on for, of
course."
"Tor Hamburg?"
"That's where we lay her head."
"Rut ter perdition wid It; we've a
wrecked ship, an' they tell us there's
a war on."
"Who tells you that?"
"The guy that come aboard along
with yer; he told the cook."
"Well, war or no war, this ship
cleared before there was any declara-
: mm
CHAPTER XI.
I Select My Officers.
The die was cast. However the
strange adventure might eventually
end, whatever peril lurked ahead of its,
it was now too late for regret. The
full responsibility I had assumed al-
most overwhelmed me as I first
emerged upon deck, but there came to
me also a spirit of recklessness, which
brought a laugh to my lips and a shrug
to my shoulders. Why should I care?
It was her choice, not mine. A mon nt
I lingered at the port rail, staring -,ut
into the smother o" the coining dusk,
wondering how it would nil end, before
I climbed the ladder to the poop deck.
The negro was at the wheel, while
Masters stood aft gazing astern. He
was not aware of my presence until I
spoke sharply.
"Sir. Masters."
"Aye, aye, sir."
"I have agreed to take command of
the vessel for the remainder of tlie voy-
age," I said quietly, "and would have
a word with the crew."
"The remainder of the voyage, sir?"
"Yes; the vessel has suffered no se-
rious damage, and there are surely
seamen oil board to serve as watch offi-
cers."
"The bosun Is a good man, sir."
"What Is his name?"
"Leayord."
"Very well; have the men piped aft."
"All hands, sir?"
"Certainly, Mr. Masters. They have
had rest enough, I imagine, the past
few days. Now they are in for a spell
of work."
I was not altogether pleased with
the engineer's manner, a vague suspi-
cion coming into my mind that he also
rather preferred a return to Raltimore,
and that the crew might desire the
same decision. As I went forward to
the rail I noticed that both Vera and
Bascom had come up as far as the
head of the companion, and now stood
there In the shadow, where they could
both see and hear. McCann, however,
did not appear, and was probably
asleep below, or still doctoring his dis-
colored optic. I had just a moment to
observe these things before the men
began to appear aft the mainmast, and
form in a straggly line across the deck.
They were Indeed a rough-looking lot,
even for a freighter's crew, plainly
showing the effects of prolonged de-
bauches ashore, with several among
them still manifestly under the influ-
ence of liquor. The re-estnbllshment
of sea discipline on board was evi-
dently to be my first tnsk, and my I
teeth clenched tightly as my eyes swept
their faces.
"Come farther aft, men," I ordered
sternly. "Bosun, bring them closer In,
where they can hear what I say—ay!
that's more like It."
1 stared down into the upturned
"From Now On You Will Mess Aft—"
tion, and you fellows shipped with her
for the voyage."
"That's a d lie," sang out an-
other voice shrilly. "The most of us
wus signed on by crimps."
I straightened up, determined to end
the matter then end there.
"We have had enough of this, lads,"
I said sternly, staring straight down
into their faces. "I don't know who
among you are doing all of this talk-
ing, but I'll answer you this; I am cap-
tain of the Indian Chief, and if any of
you want to try out whether I can
handle my crew or not, go to it. Bosun,
come here."
The man named separated himself
from the others, and slowly climbed
the ladder. He was a big, muscular
fellow, with red hair, clipped close to
his head, and intelligent blue eyes.
"Your name is Leayord?"
"Aye, aye, sir."
"This is your first voyage on the
Indian Chief?"
"No, sir; my third."
"Very good, Mr. Leayord; from now
on you will mess aft, and rank as first
mate, serving watch and watch with
me. Is there a man forward capable
of filling the second mate's berth?"
lie ran his eyes over the group be-
low rather doubtfully.
"Olson might, sir," he answered
finally. "He Is sober, and a good sea-
man."
"Step forward, Olson."
The mass of men parted slightly, and
a man was pushed to the front. He
possessed a strongly marked Swedish
face, smooth shaven and almost boyish.
"How old are you, Olson?"
"Twenty-eight, sir,"
"You know the sea?"
"Twelve years in the fo'castle, sir."
"All right; I'm going to give you a
chance to make good as second officer,
Mr. Olson. Now, lads, that's all for
the present. I take it you are sailor-
men, and know what that sky means.
The chances are ten ta one we'll have
a storm before midnight, and we'll
meet it better with clear decks. Get
forward, all hands, and clear away
that riffle—lively now."
They were a bit slow about It, grum-
bling among themselves. Olson spoke
once or twice, although I could not
hear exactly what was said, and the
power of sea discipline finally con-
quered. Within ten minutes they were
working cheerfully enough, und Lea-
yord had ceased his gruff ordering, and
stood silent beside the slee rail. It
pleased me to observe that Olson took
hold along with the others, and did his
full share of the work. I leaned far-
ther over to gain view of the cabin en-
trance, but Bascom had disappeared.
The girl, however, held her place, and
glanced up, her eyes meeting mine.
"Could I come up there, Mr. Hol-
lis?" she questioned.
"Certainly; as a passenger this deck
Is free for your use. Take the star
board ladder."
1 gave her my hand, and helped her
to grasp the rail. She glanced about
Into the mist.
"How gray and somber It Is," she
said soberly. "The fog Is almost like
a hand clutching at you."
McCann complicates the al-
ready eerious situation by stir-
ring up mutiny. Things begin to
look bad for H*!iCs rd Vera—
as told in next Installment.
Tell them to.
go ahead y
You might as well have
the use of that building you are
planning—there is nothing to be
gained by waiting. There is no
prospect of prices going down
for some time after the war is
over. Go ahead and let your
contracts.
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Cure for Anemia.
A Scot und an Englishman who were
walking down the street together
stopped to purchase a couple of rosy
upples. The Englishman oil taking a
bite of his immediately begun to sput-
ter. "I believe I've swallowed a
worm," he exclaimed.
"Weel, weel, mon, an' what if ,ve
did?" said the Scot. "'Twill put new
life into ye."—Boston Transcript.
THIS IS THE AGE OF YOUTH.
You will look ten years younger if you
darken your ugly, grizzly, gray hairs by
using "La Creole" Hair Dressing.—Adv.
Why He Left.
The large, florid gentleman at the
movie threw down his program In very
evident disgust, and as he ground our
toes on his way out, we heard him
mutter something. The seat he had
left was better than ours, so we moved
over Into It, wandering what could
have set the old mna off so. In about
a minute we found out. In the row
just behind sat a young man and a
young woman, both grown. As the he-
ro flashed across the screen, the man
said:
"Oh, (lore he Is. Bwess his heart.
'Ou Tellden, IVraldine Farrar's hub-
by, oo know. Idn't he dlst the tweet-
est sing?"
"Muh-huli! TUtt he ldn't haft so
tweet as oo is. Is he?"
"That's as long as we stayed.—Kan-
sas City Star.
As Mitey Wise Understood It.
They were talking about aviation.
"As I understood It," said Mr. Mitey
Wise, "the monoplane is a Hying ma-
chine from which one falls, the bi-
plane Is one from which two fall
and—" •
"I get you," chirped the quick think-
er. "The hy-drop-plane Is one from
which they all fall out."—Indianapolis
News.
Thrift and stinginess are as similar
as they are different.
The offender never pardons.—Her-
bert.
I'm helping to save
white bread by eating
more
Postioasties
(TO lili CO.NilML'luD.J
WHAT ARE
YOIJ
DOING ?
i
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The Hennessey Clipper (Hennessey, Okla.), Vol. 28, No. 19, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 4, 1917, newspaper, October 4, 1917; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc106097/m1/2/: accessed April 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.