VAGABOND VOYAGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 June 1938, Page 12

VAGABOND VOYAGE

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT COPYRIGHT

BY

ALROY WEST

(Author of “Stratosphere Express”)

CHAPTER XVIII. —Continued. “He says you’ve told him about the gold,” Peter mentioned. “That’s correct. But I had a feeling that he would be a good man, hence my confidences. By the way, you need not becom apprehensive. Doyle does not know much about navigation. You are still required.”

Peter made no comment about this, and returned to the deck. The different alliances worried him considerably. He wondered what Gallop would think about Doyle being admitted to the plot. He imagined that the engineer would be exceedingly wroth. Gallop angry, was a force most decidedly to be reckoned with. In all probability he would have it out with Wicks at the first opportunity. Peter felt that there was far more trouble ahead than that liable to be brought by the storm. In this he was not far wrong.

The storm broke upon them practically without warning. The wind screamed and the waves began to show more and more foam on their crests. Spray came through the air and spattered against everything like so many bullets shot from masses of machine guns. The wind was on the starboard bow. but Wicks quickly brought the trawler’s head round slightly so that she faced into it. A few minutes later the first heavy seas were breaking over the bows and flooding the deck. Rain began to fall and the drops mingled with the spray.

Visibility rapidly became worse. Soon the ship was encircled by a leaden mist and the high walls of the waves. The wind screamed past them and tore at everything as though filled with a frenzy of destruction. Part of the rail went, and Howe hurried forward to throw some of the drifting woodwork overboard so that the waters could not use it as a battering-ram. The loose piece was too clumsy for him to handle and Peter started to move forward in order to help him. Doyle, however flashed past him and Peter moved back to his old position, ready to help Wicks if the wheel became difficult to manage.

The tragedy took place so quickly that it was all over long before he grasped what had taken place. Another immense sea came flying over the bows and sweeping across the deck. The thunder of the falling water drowned any cry that Howe might have made. For a moment he was visible, then the waters curled around him. The trawler gave a sickening lurch, then the bows came up, and she shook herself free from the burden of the waters. There was only Doyle visible on the deck. He pressed a hand to his head and seemed confused. Peter raced to the side and stared out at the. expanse of tossing water. There was no sign of Howe. ■ Only of great waves leaping up as though challenging the skies and then crashing down into valleys.

His arm was caught in a tight grip. He turned and saw that Alla was beside him, her face white with horror. “Can’t we do anything?” she shouted above the .screaming of the wind. Peter shook his head. “Look at it!” he yelled. “A boaf wouldn’t live two minutes.” Alla stared for a minute, and ther •ran back to the galley. Doyle rushed up to Peter. “Any good launching a boat?” h<shouted.

Peter gave a sign that it was hope less. Doyle lowered his head and said something which Peter could not catch Crockett came running on deck. Peter went across to ,him and spoke practically into his ear. “There’s damage on the port bow.” he cried. “Howe has been lost overboard.”

Crockett looked frightened for a minute. Then he set his mouth in a firm line. Peter left him and went on the bridge. “So we’ve lost Howe,” Wicks said to him.

“Yes. I just came up to report. It, was no good trying to launch a boat. The seas are like mountains.”

The ship plunged under the weight of another one. “I know all about that,” said Wicks “But Howe was not swept over by the sea alone. Doyle lent a hand with the job. Saves us considerable trouble. Now Sinclair will not be able to find out so easily what cargo we carry.” Peter had nothing to say. He hadn’t suspected that Howe had been dispensed with in much the same way as Welling had been removed. The thought of it sickened him. Nevertheless, he knew that it was advisable to remain silent. “I thought you’d have something to say about it,” Wicks remarked, easing the ship off slightly. “Why should I make any comment? I can’t prevent murder on a ship run the way this one is. I expect there will be a few more yet.” “I shouldn’t be at all surprised,” Wicks commented. Peter swung round and left him. He felt that he wanted to strike the captain down. He was sick at heart over the whole business of the gold and would have been delighted to have dropped the two boxes and their contents into the sea. As this was impossible, he tried to carry on with his duties just as though nothing untoward had happened. They were in the grip of the storm for 'the rest of the day and through the night as well. Towards evening they sighted a tramp steamer on the starboard beam, but did not exchange signals with • her. Wicks studied her through his glasses, but she was too far away for him to be able to distinguish her flag or identification marks.

“I hope she isn’t equipped with wireless,” he said slowly. By morning the worst of the storm was over, although the seas were still

high. Wicks took over the wheel at eight bells for the fore-noon watch. “Before you go below,” he said to Peter, “you might have a look at the damage forward. I’ve told Crockett to get to work on it, and Gordon is coming from the engine room in order to help him. I’d like to supervise the repairs.”

“Very good,” Peter said, hurrying away.

After inspecting the damage he turned to Crockett.

“We shall have to have some wire,” he said. “Slip aft to the engine-room and tell Gordon, will you? He can bring some up with him.” Crockett hurried away, but was back in a second or so.

“There's a ship on the port quarter!” he cried. “She seems to be making for us!”

Peter ran to the bridge to get the glasses. Wicks looked concerned. “Let me know at once!” he snapped. Peter focussed the glasses on the ship which was rapidly drawing nearer to them. Then he ran back to Wicks. “She's heading for us right enough!” he cried. “It looks like a destroyer to me!” CHAPTER XIX Wicks let out an oath. He grabbed at the glasses. “Take the wheel!” he snapped. Peter swung the wheel so that the destroyer came into view. She was about three miles away and smoke was pouring from her Wicks watched her for a minute and then came back to the wheel. “She’s after us right enough,” he said grimly. “But we’ll show hex - how fast a trawler can go.” He signalled to en-gine-room for full speed. Then he took the wheel from Peter. “I couldn’t get a glimpse of her flag, but she’s from one of the Central or South American States, and I expect she’s pretty old. Most of them are. You’d better go down and have a word with Gallop.”

When Peter returned from the en-gine-room he saw that Sinclair, Foster and Doyle were by the rail staring at the distant column of smoke. ,

Sinclair turned with a puzzled frown.

“What’s all this mean?” he demanded. “It looks to be very much as though we are being chased.”

Peter nodded his head. “We have much the same impression,” he said curtly. “I’ll lay you six to four that she does not catch us,” said Doyle. Foster laughed, but Peter was in no mood to be amused at the rascal who had murdered Howe.

“This isn’t the proper time for making bets,” Sinclair said with a show of irritation. “Why is that ship chasing us? I think we have a right to know. After all, there may be danger if she opens fire on us.” “I’m sorry—but I can’t give you information. I advise you to ask the captain. I must remind you that he is in charge of this ship.” Having spoken in this manner, Peter moved away. “Very well said!” Doyle cried. “It’s a diplomat that you’ll probably become one of these days. Unless we are sunk by this ship. I wonder what she is! Have you any idea, Sinclair? You '•mow these waters better than we-do.” Sinclair shook his head.

“I have an idea that she’s a warship if some sort or another. She hasn’t a >reat turn of speed, otherwise she’d have been appreciably nearer by now. But whether we shall be able to give aer the slip I couldn’t say.” “We’ll give her the slip all right!” cried Doyle with a cheerful grin. “I’ve ward of these warships. Most of them ire only fit for the scrap-heap.” “Some are pretty good,” Foster cut in.

“You wouldn’t know a submarine 'rom an oil tanker,” was Doyle’s conemptuous retort.

“Stop that!” Sinclair commanded. ‘There’s some mystery here. I’m going io have a word with the captain.”. Peter, hearing this comment, returned to the bridge. No sooner had he reached it than Sinclair joined him. “After you,” he said politely to Peter. “What do you want?” Wicks demanded in far from amiable tones. “I wondered if you knew that a ship appears to be chasing you,” Sinclair explained, lighting a cigarette.

“You didn’t!” Wicks cried. “You know perfectly well that she’s chasing us. It isn’t any concern of yours anyway, so you will please leave the bridge.” “Don’t be in such a hurry, captain,” Sinclair drawled. “If that ship opens fire on us somebody may get killed. I think, that being the case, that I have a perfect right to ask for an explanation. Why is she chasing us?” “How do I know?" Wicks demanded. “I assume, from the fact that you are doing your best to slip away, that you do know.” “And what if I do?” Wicks was openly antagonistic. “I’d like to know where I stand.” “Would you? Well, I can tell you that fast enough. I picked you up out of the sea. If you’re not satisfied about it, you can get back where you came from. They might pick you up from the ship you’re so interested in. That is—if they have time to bothei' about you.”

Sinclair hesitated for a second or so. He decided to adopt a more conciliatory tone.

“Sorry if I riled you.” he said. “But I was naturally curious. It’s pretty certain that we are being chased by a warship of some kind. That is somewhat unusual, if you’ll forgive me for saying so.”

“We are being chased by a warship. So far as I can tell, she’s a destroyer—and an old one at that, judging from the fact that the distance between us

is increasing. By night we shall be so far ahead that she’ll give up the chase, I expect. And as we are not in the slightest danger I think there is nothing more to be said.” Sinclair frowned.

“I’m not satisfied, captain,” he declared. “I think I’ve a right to know what cargo you are carrying. No doubt it is your cargo that you are being pursued.”

“A trawler doesn’t carry any cargo, apart from her fish,” said Wicks tartly.

“I haven’t seen any trace of your nets, and I doubt if you've done any trawling, captain.” “That's my business. lam at perfect liberty to choose my own trawling grounds. Now, you might as well leave the bridge.” “Wait a minute,” Sinclair said, taking a step forward. “I want to know more about this ship. Howe started to tell me, but he never had the opportunity of explaining what he meant.” Wicks laughed. “If you take notice of the tales told by ordinary seamen, you going to have a pretty busy life,” he announced. “Quit stalling! There’s something darned queer about this ship. You’d better tell me now. I might be able to help you if you get into a jam. Every additional man can be of use.” Wicks gave a sardonic smile. “I am not expecting to get into a jam,” he said quietly. Then he turned to Peter. “Take the wheel,” he said. Peter took it from him. Wicks moved across to Sinclair.

“You’re forgetting that you have no right on board,” he said firmly. “I picked you up when you were in distress. I didn’t wish to remind you of that, but it seems to be a necessity. Now you will go back and join your friends.”

“I shall do nothing of the sort!” Sinclair cried impatiently. “I’ve told you that I realize you are up to some game. I can help you. I know these waters inside out. Instead of fencing like this we should be getting together. You tell me why that destroyer is chasing you, and I will tell you how to get away from her.” Wicks smiled.

“I can get away from her on my own,” he said ungraciously. “I also know these waters quite well. So it seems to me that the less you Have to say about it the better. You will leave the bridge at once.” Sinclair laughed. “You’re very high and mighty for a trawler captain,” he said. “You generally call ’em ‘Skipper’ don’t you? Perhaps you’ve been imagining things and feel that you are in the navy.” His tone changed and became more impatient. “Cut it out!” he snapped. “I’ve rumbled that you’re up to something. And this is just the time for me to lend you a hand.” “Will you leave the bridge?” Wicks asked sharply. “Not so fast,” said Sinclair, putting out a hand to push him away, “You’re letting me in on this little deal you have on hand. Confound it! You don’t expect that you can have me on board all the time without discovering your secret—do you? I’ll ferret it out. You can take my word for that.”

“I doubt if you’ll have the opportunity,” Wicks said acidly. “As soon as we sight the land, whether it’s an island or the continent, you go ashore —and take your friends with you. That’s final!”

(To be Continued.)