off of my ship and perhaps I may follow; but by the God that made you, look alive! Mr. Arnott - Mr. McClellan - man them boats and lower away. You can’t get quit o’ the ship too soon, an’ I don’t mind tellin’ you why. I’ll tell you the worst, an’ then you’ll know. There’s been a lot o’ gossip goin’, gossip about my cargo. I give out as I’d none but ship’s stores and ballast, an’ I give out a lie. I don’t mind tellin’ you now. I give out a cussed lie, but I give it out for the good o’ the ship! What
II
THE MYSTERIOUS CARGO
“Wake up, Cole! The ship’s on fire!”
It was young Ready’s hollow voice, as cool, however, as though he were telling me I was late for breakfast. I started up and sought him wildly in the darkness.
“You’re joking,” was my first thought and utterance; for now he was lighting