The Ice Pilot

ute, the glow over the drab funnel, the hiss of sea alongside-these all denoted that they were reaching for the far-off Aleutian

ers that in no circumstances should he be disturbed in the after cabin. This order, communicat

eck," he said, steadying himself by grasping the racks. "Let's have a

lutched the second mate's arm, and led him to the waist of the sh

d on the poop!"

ine's there," suggested Stirling, pressing his thumb down

n said. What do you make of that? He wan

s ship,

"There's only two aft," he said. "Two-

e. "How about the woman yo

two Gay Islanders rig up a screen between the wheel and the taffrail. All that's aft of the screen is the companio

Aft rose the mizzenmast with its spotless canvas billowing forward like Carrara marble. The telltale on the top of the mast denoted a freshening south wind. The swing of the ship, the thrust of the screw, the so

ood time," he said, thoughtfully. "Five days of this and we'll sight our Aleutian landfall. I guess

withdrew a foot or more, spread his legs wide, and

f them smart ducks with spar-deck shoes and a gold lanyard to your watch chain; but you'll pass where

ilent. He drag

spect for the skipper. I was with him coming round the Horn. A fighter, he is, and all that-but there's a polish to him I don't

l sail ship and tend to our duties. I'll get the crow's-nest up in the morning. You'll find me ready for anything-short of breaking t

e nodded. "Me, too," he said, moving aft. "I'm willin' to wha

the starboard waist, and undressed slowly. He sank into a profound

ched to a shelf and drew toward him a compass set in a leather binding. It was p

of the bunk, he made a shrewd calculation a

st by west. The needle vibrated with the throbbing of the

Here he leaned over the starboard rail and glanced downward at the swift-running foam which seethed alongside the shi

d the poop of the ship was lightened by the upward glow of an open companion, and a figure stood to the extreme port side o

near the wheelsman. There was that to the set of the head, however, which caused Stirling concern. M

the course, and it was not answered. The figure started, half leaned away, then swung about

descending figure. A slide closed with a loud slam, and the ship plunged on, leaving St

having stolen a trip inside to the cook'

form on the deck. "Sun's clear and wind's abeam-almos

. "We're not headed right. We can't make Dutch Pass o

e gave me the new course when the watches were changed," he said. "That's a

at-circle route. Another half point and we'

ull-dragged

e'll sight Rat Island on this route, and miss the only good

ain't right!" declared the Yankee.

a sulphur match on the rail at his side and held the flame to the bowl till i

op. I think it was a woman. She wouldn't answer the man at the wheel. She had Marr's clothe

. "We'll see this voyage through and find out what's wrong i