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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f5bb772 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #66691 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/66691) diff --git a/old/66691-0.txt b/old/66691-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 86f5dc3..0000000 --- a/old/66691-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8315 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Williwaw, by Gore Vidal - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Williwaw - A Novel - -Author: Gore Vidal - -Release Date: November 7, 2021 [eBook #66691] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Tim Lindell, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was - produced from images made available by the HathiTrust - Digital Library.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILLIWAW *** - - - - - -WILLIWAW - -_A Novel_ - - - - - WILLIWAW - - A NOVEL - - By - GORE VIDAL - - 1946 - E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY, INC. - NEW YORK - - - - -_Copyright, 1946, by E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc._ - -_All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A._ - -[Illustration] - -FIRST EDITION - -_NO PART of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission -in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote -brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in -magazine or newspaper or radio broadcast_. - - -_American Book--Stratford Press, Inc., New York_ - - - - -_For Nina_ - - - - -NOTE: _Williwaw is the Indian word for a big wind peculiar to the -Aleutian islands and the Alaskan coast. It is a strong wind that sweeps -suddenly down from the mountains toward the sea. The word williwaw, -however, is now generally used to describe any big and sudden wind. It -is in this last and more colloquial sense that I have used the term._ - - G.V. - - - - -All of the characters, all of the events and most of the places in this -book are fictitious. - - - - -WILLIWAW - -_A Novel_ - - - - -_Chapter One_ - - -i - -Someone turned on the radio in the wheelhouse. A loud and sentimental -song awakened him. He lay there for a moment in his bunk and stared -at the square window in the wall opposite him. A sea gull flew lazily -by the window. He watched it glide back and forth until it was out of -sight. - -He yawned and became conscious of an ache behind his eyes. There had -been a party, he remembered. He felt sick. The radio became louder as -the door to his cabin opened. A brown Indian face looked in at him. - -“Hey, Skipper, chow’s ready below.” The face vanished. - -Slowly he got out of his bunk and onto the deck. He stood in front -of the mirror. Cautiously he pressed his fingers against his eyelids -and morbidly enjoyed the pain it gave him. He noticed his eyes were -bloodshot and his face was grimy. He scowled at himself in the mirror. -From the wheelhouse the sound of Negro music thudded painfully in his -ears. - -“Turn that damn thing off!” he shouted. - -“O.K., Skipper,” his second mate’s voice answered. The music faded away -and he began to dress. The second mate came into the cabin. “Quite a -party, wasn’t it, Mr Evans?” - -Evans grunted. “Some party. What time is it?” - -The mate looked at his watch. “Six-twenty.” - -Evans closed his eyes and began to count to himself: one, two--he had -had four hours and thirty minutes of sleep. That was too little sleep. -The mate was watching him. “You don’t look so good,” he said finally. - -“I know it.” He picked up his tie. “Anything new? Weather look all -right?” - -The mate sat down on the bunk and ran his hands through his hair. It -was an irritating habit. His hair was long and the color of mouldering -straw; when he relaxed he fingered it. On board a ship one noticed such -things. - -“Weather looks fine. A little wind from the south but not enough to -hurt. We scraped some paint off the bow last night. I guess we were too -close to that piling.” He pushed back his hair and left it alone. Evans -was glad of that. - -“We’ll have to paint the whole ship this month anyway.” Evans buttoned -the pockets of his olive-drab shirt. High-ranking officers were apt -to criticize, even in the Aleutians. He pinned the Warrant Officer -insignia on his collar. His hands shook. - -Bervick watched him. “You really had some party, I guess.” - -“That’s right. Joe’s going back to the States on rotation. We were -celebrating. It was some party all right.” Evans rubbed his eyes. “Have -you had chow yet, Bervick?” - -The mate, Bervick, nodded. “I had it with the cooks. I’ve been around -since five.” He stood up. He was shorter than Evans and Evans was not -tall. Bervick was lightly built; he had large gray Norwegian eyes, and -there were many fine lines about his eyes. He was an old seaman at -thirty. - -“I think I’ll go below now,” said Evans. He stepped out of his cabin -and into the wheelhouse, glancing automatically at the barometer. The -needle pointed between Fair and Change; this was usual. He went below. -At the end of the companionway, the doors to the engine room were open -and the generator was going. The twin Diesel engines were silent. He -went into the galley. - -John Smith, the Indian cook, was kneading dough. He was a bad cook from -southeastern Alaska. Cooks of any kind were scarce, though, and Evans -was glad to have even this bad one. - -“What’s new?” asked Evans, preparing to listen to Smitty’s many -troubles. - -“The new cook.” Smitty pointed to a fat man in a white apron gathering -dishes in the dining salon. - -“What’s wrong now?” - -“I ask him to wash dishes last night. It was his turn, but he won’t do -nothing like that. So I tell him what I think. I tell him off good, but -he no listen. I seen everything now....” Smitty’s black eyes glittered -as he talked. Evans stopped him. - -“O.K. I’ll talk to him.” He went into the dining salon. Here two tables -ran parallel to the bulkheads. One table was for the crew; the other -for the ship’s officers and the engineers. The crew’s table was empty; -only the Chief Engineer, Duval, sat at the other table. - -“Morning, Skipper,” he said. He was an older man. His hair was gray -and black in streaks. It was clipped very short. His nose was long -and hooked and his mouth was wide but not pleasant. Duval was a New -Orleans Frenchman. - -“Good morning, Chief. Looks like everybody’s up early today.” - -“Yeah, I guess they are at that.” The Chief cleared his throat. He -waited for a comment. There was none. Then he remarked casually, “I -guess it’s because they all heard we was going to Arunga. I guess -that’s just a rumor.” He looked at his fork. Evans could see that he -was anxious to know if they were leaving. The Chief would never ask a -direct question, though. - -The fat cook put a plate of eggs in front of Evans and poured him some -black coffee. The cook’s hand was unsteady and the coffee spilled on -the table. The cook ignored the puddle of coffee, and went back into -the galley. - -Evans watched the brown liquid drip slowly off onto the deck. Dreamily -he made patterns with his forefinger. He thought of Arunga island. -Finally he said, “I wonder where they pick up rumors like that?” - -“Just about anywhere,” said the Chief. “They probably figured we was -going there because that’s our port’s headquarters and the General’s -Adjutant is here and they say he’s breaking his back to get back fast -and that there aren’t no planes flying out for a week. We’re the only -ship in the harbor that could take him to Arunga.” - -“That sounds pretty interesting,” said Evans and he began to eat. -Duval scowled and pushed back his chair from the table. He stood up -and stretched himself. “Arunga’s a nice trip anyway.” He waited for a -remark. Again there was none. “Think I’ll go look at the engines.” - -Evans smiled as he left. Duval did not think highly of him. Evans was -easily half the Chief Engineer’s age and that meant trouble. The Chief -thought that age was a substitute for both brains and experience; Evans -could not like that idea. He knew, however, that he would eventually -have to tell the Chief that they were leaving for Arunga. - -Evans ate quickly. He noticed that the first mate’s place was -untouched. He would have to speak to him again about getting up earlier. - -Breakfast over, he left the salon by the after door. He stood on the -stern and breathed deeply. The sky was gray. A filmy haze hung over the -harbor and there was no wind. The water of the harbor was like a dark -glass. Overhead the sea gulls darted about, looking for scraps on the -water. A quiet day for winter in these islands. - -Evans climbed over the starboard side and stepped down on the dock. -There were two large warehouses on the dock. They were military and -impermanent. Several power barges were moored near his ship and he -would have to let his bow swing far out when they left; mechanically, -he figured time and distance. - -Longshoremen in soiled blue coveralls were loading the barges, and the -various crews, civilians and soldiers mixed, were preparing to cast off -for their day’s work in the harbor. - -A large wooden-faced Indian skipper shouted at Evans from the -wheelhouse of one of the barges. Evans shouted back a jovial curse; -then he turned and walked across the dock to the shore. - -Andrefski Bay was the main harbor for this Aleutian island. The bay -was well protected, and, though not large, there were no reefs or -shallow places in the main part of the harbor. No trees grew on the -island. The only vegetation was a coarse brown turf which furred the -low hills that edged the bay. Beyond these low hills were high, sharp -and pyramidal mountains, blotched with snow. - -Evans looked at the mountains but did not see them. He had seen them -many times before and they were of no interest to him now. He never -noticed them. He thought of the trip to Arunga. A good trip to make, a -long one, three days, that was the best thing about going. He had found -that when they were too much in port everyone got a little bored and -irritable. A change would be good now. - -Someone called his name. He looked behind him. The second mate, -Bervick, was hurrying toward him. - -“Going over to the office, Skipper?” he asked, when he had caught up. - -“That’s right. Going to pick up our orders.” - -“Arunga?” - -“Yes.” They walked on together. - -The second mate was not wearing his Technical Sergeant’s stripes. Evans -hoped the Adjutant would not mind. One could never tell about these -Headquarters people. He would warn Bervick later. - -They walked slowly along the black volcanic ash roadway. At various -intervals there were wooden huts and warehouses. Between many of the -buildings equipment was piled, waiting to be shipped out. - -“It’s been almost a year since we was to Arunga,” remarked Bervick. - -“That’s right.” - -“Have we got some new charts?” - -“We got them last fall, remember?” - -“I guess I forgot.” A large truck went by them and they stood in the -shallow gutter until it had passed. - -“You seen the sheep woman lately?” asked Evans. - -The sheep woman was the only woman on the island. She was a Canadian -who helped run the sheep ranch in the interior. She had been on -the island for several years, and, though middle-aged, stout, and -reasonably virtuous, the rumors about her were damning. It was said -that she charged fifty dollars for her services and everyone thought -that that was too much. - -Bervick shook his head. “I don’t know how she’s doing. O.K., I suppose. -I’m saving up for when we hit the Big Harbor next. I don’t want nothing -to do with her.” - -Evans was interested. “Who’ve you got in mind at Big Harbor?” - -“Olga.” - -“I thought she was the Chief’s property.” - -Bervick shrugged. “That’s what he says. She’s a good girl.” - -“I suppose so.” - -“I like her. The Chief’s just blowing.” - -“None of them are worth much trouble.” - -A light rain began to fall. The office was still a half a mile ahead of -them. All the buildings of the port were, for the sake of protection, -far apart. - -“Damn it,” muttered Evans, as the rain splattered in his face. A truck -came up behind them. It stopped and they climbed into the back. Evans -told the driver where they were going, then he turned to Bervick. “You -better pick up the weather forecast today.” - -“I will. I think it’ll be pretty good.” - -“Hard to say. This is funny weather.” - -The truck let them off at the Army Transport Service Office. The office -was housed in a long, one-storied, gray building. - -The outer room was large, and here four or five enlisted men were doing -clerical work beneath fluorescent lights. The walls were decorated with -posters warning against poison gas, faulty camouflage, and venereal -disease. - -One of the clerks spoke to Evans. “The Captain’s waiting for you,” he -said. - -“I think I’ll go check with Weather,” said Bervick. “I’ll see you back -to the boat.” - -“Fine.” Evans walked down a corridor to the Captain’s office. - -A desk and three neat uncomfortable chairs furnished the room. On the -walls were pictures of the President, several Generals, and several -nudes. The nudes usually came down during inspections. - -The Captain was sitting hunched over his desk. He was a heavy man with -large features. He was smoking a pipe and talking at the same time to a -Major who sat in one of the three uncomfortable chairs. They looked up -as Evans entered. - -“Hello there, Skipper,” said the Captain and he took his pipe out of -his mouth. “I want you to meet an old friend of mine, Major Barkison.” - -The Major stood up and shook hands with Evans. “Glad to know you, -Mister....” - -“Evans.” - -“Mister Evans. It looks as if you’ll be pressed into service.” - -“Yes it does ... sir.” He added the “sir” just in case. - -“I hope the trip will be a calm one,” remarked the Major with a smile. - -“It should be.” Evans relaxed. The Major seemed to be human. - -Major Barkison was a West Pointer and quietly proud of the fact. -Though not much over thirty he was already bald. He had a Roman nose, -pale blue eyes, and a firm but small chin. He looked like the Duke of -Wellington. Knowing this, he hoped that someone might someday mention -the resemblance; no one ever did, though. - -“Sit down here, Evans,” said the Captain, pointing to one of the -chairs. The Major and Evans both sat down. “We’re sending you out on a -little trip to Arunga. Out west where the deer and submarines play.” He -laughed heartily at his joke. Evans also laughed. The Major did not. - -The Major said, “How long will the trip take you?” - -“That’s hard to say.” Evans figured for a moment in his head. “Seventy -hours is about average. We can’t tell until we know the weather.” - -Barkison nodded and said nothing. - -The Captain blew a smoke ring and watched it float ceilingward, his -little eyes almost shut. “The weather reports are liable to be pretty -lousy,” he said at last. - -Barkison nodded again. “Yes, that’s right. That’s why I can’t fly out -of here for at least a week. Everything’s grounded. That’s why I can’t -get out of here. It is imperative that I get back to Headquarters.” - -“The war would stop if you didn’t get back, wouldn’t it, Major?” The -Captain said this jovially but Evans thought there was malice in what -he said. - -“What do you mean, Captain?” said the Major stiffly. - -“Nothing at all, sir. I was just joking. A bad habit of ours here.” -Evans smiled to himself. He knew that the Captain did not like regular -army men. The Captain had been in the grain business and he was proud -that he made more money than the men in the regular army. They did not -understand business and the Captain did. This made a difference. The -Major frowned. - -“I have to get my reports in, you know. You understand that, of course. -You know I would never have a boat sent out in weather like this -unless it were important. This weather precludes air travel,” he added -somewhat pompously, enjoying the word “preclude.” It had an official -sound. - -“Certainly, Major.” The Captain turned to Evans. “From what I gather -the trip shouldn’t be too bad, a little rough perhaps, but then it -usually is. You had better put into the Big Harbor tomorrow and get a -weather briefing there. I got some cargo for them, too. I told the boys -to load you up today.” He paused to chew on his pipe. “By the way,” he -said in a different voice, “how do you feel after our little party last -night?” - -Evans grimaced. “Not very good. The stuff tasted like raisin jack.” - -“You should know.” The Captain laughed loudly and winked. Barkison -looked pained. He cleared his throat. - -“I guess you people have a hard time getting liquor up here.” He tried -to sound like one of the boys and failed. - -“We manage.” The Captain chuckled. - -The door opened. A young and pink-faced Lieutenant looked doubtfully -about the room until he saw the Major. - -“Come in, Lieutenant,” said the Major. - -“Lieutenant Hodges, this is Mr Evans.” The two shook hands and sat -down. The young Lieutenant was very solemn. - -“Is there anything new on our leaving, sir?” he asked. - -“Yes,” said Barkison. “Weather permitting, we’ll leave tomorrow -morning. We should be back ... how long did you say?” - -“Maybe three days, maybe less,” Evans answered. - -“Isn’t that awfully long, sir? I mean we have to be back day after -tomorrow.” - -The Major shrugged. “Nothing we can do about it. There are no planes -going out for an indefinite period.” - -“Well,” the Captain stood up and Evans did the same, “you had better -check on the weather and take water and do whatever else you have to -do. You’ll definitely leave tomorrow morning and you’ll stop off at the -Big Harbor. See you later today.” He turned to the Major. “If you’d -like to move aboard tonight....” - -“Oh no, never mind. We’ll move on tomorrow.” - -“O.K., be seeing you, Evans.” - -Evans muttered that he had been pleased to meet them and left the room. -As he walked down the corridor he wondered if Bervick would be able to -understand the weather chart. He decided not. - -Outside, the rain had stopped. The wind was cooler and more brisk. -Evans walked toward a half-barrel-shaped hut: the weather office. -Ravens glided heavily around him, their black feathers glistening -bluely in the pale light. High above him he could make out an eagle -flying northward. - -Inside the weather office a Master Sergeant was handling the maps and -charts. The weather officer had not come in yet. - -“Hello, Mr Evans.” - -“Hello, has Bervick been here?” - -“Yes, he just now left. I think he’s gone to get some paint over to -Supply.” - -“I see. What’s the deal on the weather?” - -The Sergeant shuffled his papers. “It’s hard to say. If the wind shifts -around to the north, and it looks like it will, you’ll be fine.” - -“Is there much wind outside the harbor?” - -“There’s some.” - -“Much wind? Thirty mile an hour? Is it more?” - -“Damned if I can tell. You’re leaving tomorrow, aren’t you?” - -“That’s right.” - -“Well, I’ll check with the Navy boys and get in touch with you later. -This isn’t a good month for travelling the Chain.” - -“I know. Is that the weather chart you got there?” - -“Yes.” The Sergeant pushed the chart at him. Evans pretended to study -it. Actually he knew very little about reading these charts. He knew -from practical experience, though, that they were often wrong. - -“It’ll probably be rough, Mr Evans.” - -“That’s nothing new. You say Bervick’s at Supply?” - -“I think so.” - -“O.K., and thanks a lot. I’ll see you when you have some more dope.” -Evans went out. He stood for a while watching the power barges, -blunt-nosed and slab-like, move back and forth across the harbor. There -were rumors that the port of Andrefski was to be closed soon and only -the inland air base would be kept going. Many men had already been -moved out, only a few hundred were left now. On the rocky, moonstone -and agate littered beach, lumber was piled, waiting to be loaded on the -Liberty ship, edged grayly against the main dock. This ship was the -largest in the harbor and it made the other boats look like toys in a -bathtub. - -A jeep, with an awkward plywood body tacked onto it, rode by and -splashed him with mud from the side of the road. Evans swore at the -driver. Then he walked along the road, keeping close to the pebbled -embankment. There was quite a lot of traffic at this time of day. - -The Supply warehouse was large and gloomy and empty-looking. He walked -around to the side of the building and went inside. He could hear -Bervick’s voice. “Come on, you can give us six gallons. Christ, you -have the stuff piled up all around.” - -Another voice answered, “Sorry, three’s all you get.” - -“Why that’s....” Evans walked up to them. Bervick was holding three -gallon cans of paint. - -Evans grinned, “That’ll do us fine, Bervick. Are you through here?” - -“I guess so.” - -“Well, let’s get on back to the ship.” Bervick picked up two of the -cans and Evans took the other. - -A thin drizzle was beginning to cloud the air. - -“Nice day,” said Bervick. - -“Yes, nice day. All days are nice here. We go to the Big Harbor -tomorrow.” - -“And from there to Arunga?” - -“That’s right. We got some rank to carry.” - -“Who? I heard the Chaplain might come.” - -“That’s a new one. I hadn’t heard about him. We’ve got a Major who is -the Adjutant at Arunga, and a Lieutenant.” - -“Any cargo?” - -“Some for the Big Harbor. That’s all.” - -They walked along the road, their feet grinding the wet cinder-like -surface. Sea gulls circled high above them, a sign of bad weather -according to the Indians. Among the sharp rocks the ravens croaked -drearily. Silently they walked back to the ship. - -Two of the men were hosing down the deck. The sea water from their -hoses made a drumming sound as it shot across the decks. - -Evans was surprised. “The first time they’ve ever done this without -being told.” - -Bervick laughed, “The crew knew we were going before you did.” - -“They usually do.” - -They climbed aboard. Bervick went aft with the paint. Evans opened the -door to the dining salon and stepped inside. - -The Chief, sitting on one of the tables, was smoking a cigar. Down the -companionway, Evans could see the two assistant engineers working on -the auxiliary. - -“What’s new, Skipper?” asked Duval. - -“Hello, Chief. Your boys pretty busy?” - -“Yeah, getting ready for the big trip. Lucky we took fuel last week.” - -“It was.” - -“When we leaving?” The Chief asked one of his few direct questions. - -“Tomorrow morning.” - -“Straight to Arunga, I suppose.” - -“No, we’re going to the Big Harbor first. We go on from there.” - -“I guess I’ll be able to see Olga then.” The Chief grinned. - -Evans looked at him. “What about Bervick?” - -“What about him?” The Chief was not interested and they said nothing -for a few moments. Then he said, “I hear the Chaplain’ll be with us.” - -“So I’ve heard. I guess the Captain will tell me about it later.” - -“Probably. I got to get to work.” The Chief slid off the table and -walked toward the engine room. Evans could hear the sound of his voice -as he talked with his assistants. Evans knew he was telling them that -they were going west to Arunga as he had said they would. Evans walked -into the galley. The cook, John Smith, was scrubbing pans. He was alone -in the galley. - -“How’s it going, Smitty? Where’s your helper?” - -Smitty put down the kettle he was scrubbing. “Gone,” he said with -suppressed drama. “I seen everything now. What does this guy do? Does -this guy help in here? No. He go down and lay on his fat butt. I’m -going to get off this boat. I seen everything. He won’t work, won’t do -nothing....” - -“I’ll talk to him, Smitty.” That was always a good promise to make. -Smitty would be mad at something else the next day anyway. “By the -way,” he added, “have you got enough rations to get us to Arunga? We’re -going to have three passengers.” - -Smitty gasped. His lean ugly brown face was contorted with grief. “I -seen _everything_ now.” He spoke softly as if he were praying. “I got -no bread. I got no meat. I got no nothing now. How,” his voice rose to -a wail, “how am I going to feed the crew? I make no bread on the water. -They eat out of cans, that’s all.” - -“Well, you work it out and get what you need. We’ll leave tomorrow at -eight.” - -Smitty muttered to himself. Evans went up to the wheelhouse. - -Bervick was standing over the chart table: a chart of all the islands -in the Aleutian Chain before him. He was squinting thoughtfully and -carefully measuring out a course. - -“Think you can get us there?” asked Evans. - -“What? Oh sure, I was just checking the old course. Last time we ran -too close to shore off Kulak.” - -“I remember. We’ll work out a course over at the Big Harbor.” The salt -spray from the hoses splattered the wheelhouse windows. “That reminds -me, you better get some water. We’re pretty low.” - -“O.K.” Bervick put the chart in a drawer under the table and left the -wheelhouse. - -Evans looked out the window. He could think of nothing very important -to be done before they sailed. They had fuel. Smitty would get rations. -The charts were up to date. He rubbed his face to see if he needed a -shave. He did. - -Evans went into his cabin and turned on the water in his basin. He -noticed that his eyes looked a little better, though they still hurt -him. He sighed and tried to look at his profile in the glass. This he -knew would exercise his eyes, also in the back of his mind he wondered -if he might not be able to see his profile. He had seen it once in a -tailor’s three-way mirror. He had been greatly interested, and he hoped -vaguely that he might see it again sometime. Strange things like that -obsessed people who had been to sea for a long time. - -Someone turned on the radio. A deep sterile radio voice staccatoed in -the air for a moment and was gone. The air was filled with static, -and then the voice came back again. Evans could not make out what the -voice was saying but he could guess from the tone that our “forces were -smashing ahead on all fronts”: the usual thing. He was bored by the war. - -Methodically he shaved himself. He wondered who had turned on the -radio. Probably Martin, his first mate. - -A light wisp of fog came into the room through the half-open window; -quickly Evans shut it. He shivered. The cold was penetrating. - -“I’m cold as gold is old,” he muttered to himself. It was a jingle that -went occasionally through his mind. For several years he had known it. -Queer phrases and jingles often came to him when he had been too much -alone. Sometimes they worried him. Evans often wondered if he might not -be a little crazy. They say, though, that when you are crazy you never -know it, he thought. There was consolation in that and he murmured -again to himself, “I’m cold as gold is old.” Then he finished shaving. - -He looked much older than twenty-five, he noticed, looking at himself -intently in the mirror. When he was eighteen he had worked alone in a -lighthouse. He used often to look at himself in the mirror then. He -felt less alone when he did that and the habit had stayed with him. -He yawned and turned away from the mirror. Neatly he put his shaving -equipment away, then he sat down at his desk and looked at the papers -on it. Most of the papers were memorandums from the Headquarters. He -pushed them to one side. - -In his desk drawer was a quart of bourbon. He wondered if he should -take a swallow, a small one, enough to take away the ache behind his -eyes. Evans reached for the drawer. Before he could open it, Martin -walked into the cabin. Martin never knocked. - -“Good morning,” said Evans and he tried to sound sarcastic. - -“Hail to the Chief,” said Martin, eying Evans’ hand on the liquor -drawer. “Starting in early, aren’t you?” - -“What do you mean? Oh, this,” Evans withdrew his hand quickly. “I was -just looking for something.” - -“So I see.” The first mate smiled, showing all his teeth. He was a -year younger than Evans, but looked even younger than he was. He had -a carefully studied collegiate manner though he had never been to a -college. John Martin had been one of the numerous unpromising young -actors in a New England stock company. He was dark and nearly handsome. -His voice was deep, interesting and mocking. He knew nothing about -being a mate. - -“Did you just get up?” Evans asked, knowing that he had. - -“Why yes--the party, you know. I felt I should sleep. The ravell’d -sleave, you know.” He spoke with a pseudo-British accent which he knew -irritated Evans. - -“Well, go get on down below and make sure they take water,” Evans -snapped. - -“Right you are, sir.” - -“Can the funny stuff. We’re going to the Big Harbor tomorrow.” - -“Any passengers?” - -“Yes, the Adjutant at Arunga, a Lieutenant and the Chaplain.” - -“That sounds gay. When’re we going to haul another group of USO girls?” -Martin winked in what he would have called a roguish manner. Evans had -once become too interested in a USO girl on tour. - -Evans murmured, “Not for a while.” He turned away and played with -the papers on his desk. He tried to think of something for Martin to -do. “You might,” he finally said, “go see the Chaplain and find out -when he’s coming aboard. Also, you’d better get hold of a copy of the -special orders with his name on them. The Captain forgot to tell me he -was going.” - -“Fine.” Martin started to go. “By the way,” he said, and Evans knew and -dreaded what he was going to say, “how do you feel after the party -last night? You don’t look so good.” - -“I feel awful. Now go get to work.” - -Martin left and Evans rested his head on his arm. He felt tired. The -ship was unusually still. Far away he could hear the rasping croak of a -raven. He opened the desk drawer. - - -ii - -John Martin walked into the galley. - -“What’s on your mind, Smitty?” he asked. Martin was always polite with -the men and Evans was not. The men liked Martin better and that was the -main reason why Evans did not like him, or so Martin thought. - -“Nothing on my mind. You want to eat something?” - -“No thanks. I’ll just take a little of this.” He poured himself some -pineapple juice from a large can. Smitty watched him drink it. - -“What’s on for chow tonight?” - -The Indian’s eyes gleamed. “Vienna sausage and that’s all I got. I have -to go get rations for a whole week now. I haven’t got no time to make -bread or nothing. That guy,” he pointed upward, “he tell me just today -to get this stuff.” - -“Well, that’s O.K., Smitty,” Martin murmured soothingly, as he left, -“it’ll be all right.” - -On deck he found two of the crew coiling the long black water hose. - -“Pretty empty, wasn’t she?” - -One of them nodded. He was a heavy blond fellow, a professional -seaman. “Are we going out west?” he asked. - -“That’s right. Leaving tomorrow.” - -“That’s what Bervick said. We didn’t know what he was bulling or not. -Weather don’t look bad.” - -Martin looked at the pale sky. “You can’t ever tell,” he said. - -“No, you can’t.” They went on coiling the hose. - -Martin walked across the dock. He watched lumber being loaded onto -the Liberty ship by sailors with heavy fantastic beards. The port was -slowly closing down and he, for one, was not sorry. For a year now he -had been at Andrefski as a first mate. He had fought constantly with -Evans and he had known all the time that Evans was right: that he -was no seaman. Martin had drifted into boat work in the army. After -two years he had been made a Warrant Officer and assigned to this -Freight-Passenger ship. The whole thing was unreal to him, the Bering -Sea, these boats, the desolate stone islands. He wished he were in New -England and the thought that he would be at least another year in these -islands was maddening. - -Thinking of these things, he walked to the warehouse where the mail -was delivered. A door in the warehouse opened and Bervick came out. He -carried a bundle of letters in his hand. “Hello, Johnny,” he said. “You -up so soon?” - -Martin smiled. There was no formality between them. Living together in -the same small stateroom they understood each other well. “I thought a -run in the fog would be just what I needed. Got something for me?” - -Bervick thumbed through the bundle and handed Martin a letter. “How -does it smell?” he asked. - -Martin inhaled the perfume that had been sprinkled on the envelope. -“Like magnolias,” he said. - -Bervick sniffed. “Smells like a Ketchikan whore to me.” - -“Careful,” said Martin, “speak softly when you speak of love. Which -reminds me, when are they going to load cargo?” - -“Right after lunch, I suppose. That’s if the longshoremen can get -together long enough to do some work.” - -“Then you’d better move the boom over.” - -“O.K.” Bervick walked away. - -Martin stepped inside the warehouse. Standing close to the door--there -was almost no light in the building--he read the perfumed letter. She -thought a lot about him. She wondered how he was. She did not go out -much. She wished he were back. She did not go out much, she repeated -that. She wondered if he remembered when.... Martin folded the letter -and put it in his pocket. Her letters were always the same but she was -a nice girl and he would probably marry her and be bored. He felt sorry -for himself. He looked at the bleak sky and saw that it suited his mood. - -A blast of damp air came through the door and he buttoned his parka at -the throat. Then, remembering his errand with the Chaplain, he walked -out into the gray light. - -A mile away on a slight mound was the post chapel. It was like all -other army chapels: box-shaped, with a short square tower and spire. -The building was brown and looked dingy from camouflage. He walked -toward it. - -The wind blew at his back. The wind was rising and there were -whitecaps in the bay. Gulls flew worriedly in the bedrizzled air. - -A jeep went by him on the road. It stopped and he climbed in. The -Captain was sitting at the wheel, his pipe firmly between his teeth. - -“How’s the boat business, Martin?” he asked cheerfully. - -“Fine as ever.” - -“Good.” He started the jeep. “Where are you headed?” - -“Over to see the Chaplain. I hear he’s coming with us.” - -“Damn! I knew I forgot to tell Evans something. The Chaplain’s going -with you people. They’re having a meeting at Arunga and he’s already on -orders. Does Evans know?” - -“Yes, he heard about it.” - -“Grapevine,” the Captain muttered. “I’m going as far as the Post -Exchange. You want out there?” - -“That’ll be fine.” - -The Captain drove deliberately and in silence over the road. After a -few minutes he stopped in front of a long low building and they both -got out. They walked into the Post Exchange. - -“You getting on all right with Evans?” the Captain asked. - -“Sure, we’re coming along fine,” Martin said, trying to sound sincere -and succeeding. - -“That’s the way things should be. I’m glad to hear it.” - -The Post Exchange was not yet crowded. A long counter ran the length -of the building and behind the counter there were shelves of candy, -stationery, toilet articles, magazines.... At one end of the building -was a barber’s chair and a soldier barber, and at the other end was a -Coca-Cola machine. Everything was neatly arranged beneath hard bare -electric lights. - -Martin bought a lurid Love magazine. Nothing else caught his eye and he -left. - -He was out of breath when he reached the top of the mound where the -chapel was. A few enlisted men were wandering about near by, getting -up enough nerve to go in and see the Chaplain and ask for help. This -Chaplain had a reputation for being able to get things done for the -men. The religious aura, however, was unmanning to most of them. - -The inside of the chapel was quiet and dim and warm. There was little -ornament here, only an altar and plain, large-windowed walls without -color or design. In a small office to the right of the door, Martin -found O’Mahoney, the Chaplain. - -He was a short squat Irishman with a red-veined nose, plump cheeks and -nearsighted blue eyes. His hair was thick and dark and looked like a -neat wig. His manner was awkward and friendly. He had been a monk in -a Maryland monastery, and now, in the army, he acted as if he were -playing a part in a bad dream, which perhaps he was. - -“Hello, Father,” said Martin respectfully. - -“How do you do....” O’Mahoney paused with embarrassment. Martin was not -a churchgoer and he did not recognize him. - -“John Martin, sir,” he said quickly. “I’m the first mate on the boat -that’s taking you to Arunga.” - -O’Mahoney smiled. “Do sit down, Mr Martin,” he invited. Martin -arranged himself with a sigh in a large arm-chair. He was tired from -his walk. For a moment he breathed the musty leather smell which all -churches seemed to have. O’Mahoney offered him a cigarette. He refused -and said that he did not smoke. - -“A good habit not to have,” said the Chaplain in his light Irish voice. -There was a pause. - -“I wanted to know,” began Martin in a loud voice which he quickly -lowered. He was always conscious of wrong tones. A loud voice was wrong -in a church. “I was wondering,” he said softly, “when you were planning -to move aboard, tonight or in the morning.” - -“Tomorrow, if that’s convenient.” - -“It will be.” Martin smiled. “You’ll be ready for bad weather, won’t -you?” - -“Bad weather? Is that the report?” - -“Well, yes, but it’s also a joke of ours that whenever we haul a -Chaplain we have bad weather.” - -O’Mahoney chuckled uneasily. “Well, that’s the way those things go, I -suppose.” - -“Yes, it’s probably just an invitation for you to walk on the water.” - -“What? Oh, yes.” O’Mahoney was not quite sure if this was blasphemy or -not. He decided it was not. “Are you Catholic, Mr Martin?” he asked. He -usually asked that question. - -Martin shook his head. “I’m not much of anything,” he said. He could -see that the Chaplain was tempted to inquire further. He did not, -though. Instead he changed the subject. - -“The Captain at the Transport Office did tell me that the weather -might be unreliable at this time of year.” - -“That’s right, but it shouldn’t be bad.” Martin spoke as if the sea -and the weather had no secrets from him. Often he marveled at how -professional he sounded. - -“I’m certainly glad to hear that. I suffer terribly from _mal de mer_.” -He spoke the French self-consciously and Martin wondered if he was -going to translate it or not. He decided to save him the trouble. - -“I’m sure you won’t be sick, Father.” Martin got to his feet. “If you -want to send any stuff down tonight, we’ll stow it for you.” - -“Thank you, but I’ll bring my gear down with me in the morning.” - -Martin turned to go, then he remembered the orders he had come to get. -“Do you think I could have an extra copy of your orders? We have to -have one, you know.” - -“Certainly.” O’Mahoney handed him a paper from his desk. - -“Thank you. See you tomorrow.” - -“Aren’t you going to the Captain’s party tonight, Mr Martin? He’s -giving one in his quarters for the Major.” - -“Why, yes, I suppose I will.” - -“See you then.” The Chaplain walked with him to the door. - - -iii - -Bervick and Duval were arguing again. Supper had been finished and -Evans had gone to the wheelhouse. Martin sat quietly in a corner while -the Chief and Bervick insulted each other. Their arguments were thought -very funny by the rest of the crew. No one took them seriously except -Martin, and he was not sure if they were serious or not. - -Olga, a Norwegian girl at the Big Harbor, was the cause of their -trouble. The year before she had come to work in a restaurant. Because -she had let Bervick sleep with her for nothing, he had decided that it -must be love and he had almost decided to marry her. Then one day he -discovered that she was also seeing Duval and accepting his money and a -great many other people’s money, too. He had asked her to stop but she -was a thrifty girl, supporting her mother in Canada. She had told him -that it was none of his business. Duval had laughed at him because of -this and he had come to hate Duval and feel that it was his fault that -Olga had changed. - -Somewhat drowsily Martin listened to them talk. This time they were -arguing whether the knife should be set on the table edge of blade -toward the plate or away from it. Duval claimed the edge should be away -from the plate and Bervick claimed it was toward the plate. - -“I don’t suppose you’d know where it went anyway,” said Duval bitingly. -“You probably always ate with your hands.” - -This was a hard blow and Bervick countered, “I don’t guess you ever -used anything but a knife to eat with. I’ve seen _cajuns_ like you -before.” - -Duval was proud of his pure French ancestry. He came from a -long-settled New Orleans family and he was sensitive about being -thought a _cajun_. - -“_Cajun_, hell,” he said, trying not to sound irritated. “You wouldn’t -know one if you saw one.” - -“I guess I’m talking to one.” - -This was too much. The Chief Engineer remembered his rank. He stood up. -“That’s enough, Sergeant,” he said with dignity. - -Bervick stood up also. Martin could see he was pleased. It was always -a victory when the Chief fell back on his rank. “Yes, Warrant Officer -Junior Grade Duval,” he said. - -“Better not get so fresh, Sergeant.” The Chief turned to Martin and -said, “Just a little squabble.” Bervick left the salon, laughing. -“Fresh bastard,” muttered the Chief. - -“Oh, he’s all right,” said Martin smoothly. “Just a little hot-tempered -at times.” - -“Maybe that’s it.” Duval sat down on the bench beside Martin. They -looked out the window at the pale gray of evening. The day was over and -the wind had died down. - -“Probably be a strong southwest wind tomorrow,” remarked Duval. - -“Can’t tell, really.” - -“Thank God we’ve only a few passengers. Every time it’s rough we have -at least forty.” - -“That’s the way it goes.” - -At the other table five deckhands were playing Hearts. Martin watched -them. His thoughts drifted and he saw stages and heard speeches and -listened to the sea. The sea was becoming a part of himself, and -whenever he relaxed, his mind seemed to be caught up in the restless -tempo of the water and he would become uneasy: at sea he was always -uneasy. He yawned abruptly and cleared his mind. - -Evans came into the salon. “Say, Mate,” he said, “the Captain’s giving -a party over at his quarters. You and the Chief want to come?” - -Martin nodded. “I always like free beer.” - -“So do I.” The Chief got to his feet. “I hope he’s got some bourbon. I -haven’t had any good stuff for quite a while. It gets used up so fast -because I always share it.” The Chief knew of Evans’ liquor and he also -knew that Evans never shared it. Evans looked away. - -“We’d better get started then. The dispatcher’s waiting outside. He’s -going to take us over in his jeep.” - -The Captain’s quarters consisted of two huts knocked together. Normally -three officers lived there, but at the moment he was alone and had the -whole place to himself. - -Several men were already in the room when they entered. The Captain was -fixing drinks behind a bar made out of a packing case. He grunted at -them, his pipe moving slightly as he greeted them. - -Evans and Duval were jovial in their greetings. Martin merely smiled. -The Chief was on particularly good terms with the Captain. They were of -the same age and had had many parties together. - -“How does it go, Old Chief?” inquired the Captain, speaking out of the -side of his mouth. - -“Great. We keep the army on the waves.” - -“That’s something. What’ll it be, gentlemen?” While the others told -what they wanted, Martin looked about him. He had not been in the -Captain’s quarters for a long time. He never liked to seem too close to -higher ranking officers. He was always afraid someone would think he -wanted something. - -The walls were decorated with large paintings of nudes. They had been -done for the Captain by a soldier. A lamp, several chairs, and a -bookcase with a few books and a great many rocks in it furnished this -end of the room. - -A Major and a Lieutenant were standing before one of the paintings. -Martin, who did not recognize them, decided that they must be the -passengers for Arunga. In one corner beside a radio the Chaplain sat, -a pale bourbon and water beside him. He was turning the dial of the -radio. Three officers from the Harbor Craft Detachment made up the rest -of the party. - -“What’ll it be, Martin?” asked the Captain. - -“Beer, if you have it.” - -“Beer! O.K., suit yourself. I’m always glad to save the real stuff.” He -handed Martin a bottle of beer. - -Loud music startled them. The Chaplain looked about him apologetically -and quickly lowered the volume. “Finally got some music,” he announced. -“The static isn’t so bad tonight.” - -The Major agreed, “Yes, the static’s not bad at all tonight.” - -The Lieutenant remarked that the static had been bad the night before. - -That, thought Martin, takes care of the static. He often wondered why -people spoke so inanely. - -“These are very interesting works of ... of art, you have here,” -remarked the Major somewhat archly. Martin could see that he was trying -to be a good fellow. - -“Like them?” The Captain came out from behind the bar. “Had a soldier -do them for me. Very talented fellow he was, too. Quite lifelike, -aren’t they?” He winked at the young Lieutenant, who blushed and looked -away. Martin chuckled and noticed that the Major was smiling, too. - -The Major said, “Lieutenant Hodges doesn’t care for modern art.” - -The Captain laughed, “Oh, to be young! Wouldn’t it be nice, Major, if -we were young again.” - -The Major winced slightly. He was not old and did not like to be -thought old, but because he was bald and his face was lined, people -took him to be older than he was. He did not like that. - -“Youth is very important,” he murmured, paying no attention to what he -was saying. - -“Most important for the future,” agreed the Chaplain. - -Martin was bored by this. He took his beer and sat down in an easy -chair. He drank the beer slowly. It was green and tasted bitter. -He watched Evans and Duval draw near to the Major. Both were good -politicians. - -“It looks as if the war will be over soon,” remarked Evans, a -half-question in his voice. - -“Yes,” said the Major. He always said “yes” first, even when he meant -“no.” - -“Yes, it should be over soon, but of course we have no effective way of -gauging the enemy’s rate of attrition. The attrition rate is important. -Attrition can decide wars.” Martin wondered if he would repeat this -last: it sounded like a maxim. He did not. He continued. “There are -only a few good strategists in the enemy’s army. They could be named on -the fingers of one hand. Most of them know nothing but frontal attacks.” - -“I guess bombings are messing them up,” suggested Evans. - -“Wars,” said the Major, “cannot be won by aviation. No matter what the -Air Corps says.” He sounded bitter. Martin wondered if the Major might -not be jealous of the quick promotions in the Air Corps. - -“I guess that’s right,” Evans agreed. - -Everyone began to talk at once. Evans and the Major discussed the -latest movies. The Chief, who was Catholic, discussed moral issues with -the Chaplain. One always seemed to discuss such things with Chaplains. -The Captain talked about women and the Lieutenant listened to him -gravely. - -Cigarette smoke was becoming thick in the room. Blue veils of it -floated upward from each smoker. Martin’s eyes watered. He finished his -beer. The radio played on. Music of every sort swelled in the room. -The room was too hot. The oil-stove in the center was giving off heavy -waves of heat. Martin felt a little drowsy. He wondered if they would -notice it if he shut his eyes for a moment. - -Lieutenant Hodges was standing beside his chair, when he opened his -eyes again. - -“Must have been asleep,” Martin mumbled. His eyes felt heavy. He looked -around and saw that the others obviously had not noticed he had gone to -sleep. They were talking and singing and drinking. There was a strong -barroom odor in the hut. The Chaplain, he noticed, had gone. - -“Sorry to bother you,” said the Lieutenant. “I didn’t mean to wake you.” - -“That’s all right. I don’t know what happened to me. I was just tired, -I guess. I’ve had a pretty hard day,” he lied. - -“You’re on the boat that’s taking us west, aren’t you?” - -“Yes. I’m the mate. Martin’s the name.” - -“My name is Hodges. I’m the Major’s assistant.” They shook hands in -the self-conscious manner of people who have already met. - -There was not much to say. They stood there watching the others move -about. Almost everyone was drunk. Martin got slowly to his feet. “What -time you got?” he asked. - -Hodges looked at his watch carefully. “Eleven fifty-seven.” - -“That’s pretty late for me to be up. I guess I better get a move on. -See you in the morning.” - -“Sure thing. Good night.” - -Martin went over to the corner where Evans, the Major, and the Captain -were singing. - -“I think we’d better head back,” he said, catching Evans between songs. -Evans shook his head. He was drunk. - -“Hell no,” he said. “You go back if you want to. You go back.” - -Martin shrugged and turned away. The Chief was in a crap game with an -Indian skipper. - -“Can’t leave now,” the Chief said, his eyes on the dice. - -Martin picked up his parka and put it on. - -“I think I’ll walk back,” he announced. Hodges was the only one who -heard and he nodded as Martin turned to go. - -The Major was talking of strategy when he left. - -“Wellington, of course, was the perfect general. Wellington understood -attrition. Attrition....” The Major talked on. - -Outside Martin breathed the deep night air gratefully. It was good -after the heat and smoke. There were no stars out yet and that was not -good. With a shiver he turned and walked quickly toward the docks. - - - - -_Chapter Two_ - - -i - -“It’s seven o’clock, Mr Evans.” The man on watch looked into his room. - -“O.K., be right down,” Evans mumbled. The door was slammed shut and -he opened his eyes. It was another morning. His bed was warm and the -room, lit grayly by the morning sun, was cold. He closed his eyes and -imagined that he was out of bed and already dressed. He imagined this -clearly; so clearly that he began to fall asleep again. The sound of -dishes being dropped startled him awake. He sat up in bed and put on -his shirt. Then, quickly, so as not to feel the cold, he sprang out of -bed and finished dressing. He was brushing his teeth when Bervick came -in the room. - -“Morning, Skipper, nice party? I heard you come in this morning.” -Evans wondered why his second mate always seemed pleased when he had a -hangover. - -“It was pretty good. Is the Mate up yet?” - -“He’s getting up. What time we sailing?” - -“Eight o’clock if everyone’s aboard. They won’t be, of course.” - -Bervick disappeared. Evans straightened his tie. Then he went below. -The Chief and his assistants were at the table when he came into the -salon. The Chief seemed cheerful. - -“Looks like smooth sailing weather,” he observed. He pointed at the -window and at the still harbor beyond. - -“I hope so.” Evans was noncommital. He had seen too many days when -the sea was calm in the harbor and rough outside. They would know the -weather soon enough. - -Martin and Bervick walked in together. - -“Did you get home all right?” Martin asked. - -“It looks like it, doesn’t it?” Evans spoke sharply. He did not like -to be thought a heavy drinker. He noticed Martin was scowling. Evans, -deciding that he had spoken too roughly, added, “Yes, the Captain took -the Chief and me home. It was some fracas.” - -Duval laughed loudly. “It sure was! We almost ended up in the ditch a -couple times.” - -“The perils of drink,” murmured Martin, his mouth full. - -“Not much else to do in these islands,” said Evans. He did not really -hate the islands, though. They had been home to him before the war -when he had fished in these waters. He could not admit to the others, -however, that he liked the Aleutians. - -“I’ve got a bad egg,” said Bervick. “I guess this was a pre-war egg.” -He pushed the plate away from him. “I think I’ll go get the eight -o’clock watch up.” He left. - -“It takes one to know one,” said the Chief, referring back to the eggs. - -They ate in silence. The two men on watch entered yawning. They sat -down at the other table and started their breakfast. Evans finished his -own quickly. - -A few minutes before eight, a jeep drove down the dock and stopped at -the ship. The three passengers and the Captain climbed out and unloaded -their baggage on the dock. - -Evans went out on deck. “Good morning,” he said. - -“It’s a hell of a morning,” said the Captain. The passengers stood -about sheep-like, waiting for guidance. Evans shouted to one of the -deckhands inside. Together they got the baggage aboard. Then the -passengers and the Captain climbed onto the deck. - -The Chaplain hoped that he would not be sick. They all said they -hoped they would not be sick. The Major remarked that he had never -been seasick in his life; he added, however, that there was a first -time for everything. Evans guided them to the dining salon and Martin -volunteered to show them to their staterooms. Evans and the Captain -went back on deck. - -“What’s the new report on the outside?” Evans asked. - -“According to the man over at Weather and the Navy people, you’ll have -a ten-foot sea and a thirty-mile wind in gusts from the southwest. -That’s as far as the Big Harbor. From there you’ll have to get another -forecast.” - -“Pretty good news. No planes flying yet?” - -“No, no planes. Bad weather beyond the Big Harbor, too.” The Captain -reached in the coat of his parka and brought out a brown envelope. -“Here’s your clearance. You can take her away now. Don’t spend too much -time at Arunga. I don’t go for none of that, you know.” - -Evans smiled, “I know,” he said. “We’ll be back in a week.” - -“Fine. Give my love to the Big Harbor girls.” - -“I sure will.” - -“Good sailing then.” The Captain climbed back on the dock. He stood -beside his jeep and waited for them to cast off. Several longshoremen -stood by their lines on the dock. The Major and the Chaplain came out -to watch and Evans went to the wheelhouse. Martin and Bervick were -waiting for him there. - -“Cast the bow and spring lines off first. We’ll drift out, then let -go the stern.” He rang the telegraph to the engine room, setting the -markers at Stand By. A minute later the engine room rang back. Rather -quick for the Chief, he thought. Martin and Bervick went below. Evans -could see them, with two deckhands, moving about on deck. - -He opened one of the wheelhouse windows. “Let her go,” he shouted. -Quickly they began to pull in the lines. The bow swung out from the -dock. - -“Let the stern go, Bervick,” he shouted again from the window. A second -later they were free of the dock. Evans rang both engines Slow Ahead. -Cautiously he maneuvered the ship away from the dock. Then he rang Full -Ahead. He could feel the engines vibrate as the ship shot ahead. She -would do twelve knots easily. - -Martin came up to the wheelhouse. His face was flushed from the wind -and cold and his nose was running. He sniffed as he spoke. - -“All squared away. Anything you want done?” - -“Nothing I can think of.” Evans kept his eyes fixed on the nets that -guarded the narrow neck of the harbor a mile away. He steered with the -small electrical steering gear. He preferred it to the larger wooden -wheel which he insisted that his crew use: it was more seaman-like. - -“Guess I’ll go to bed then,” said Martin, and he went into his cabin. -His watch did not begin until noon. - -The door opened again and one of the men on Evans’ watch entered. He -took the wheel and Evans gave him the course from memory. He knew the -courses to the Big Harbor by heart. - -Ahead he could see the entrance to the nets. He rang Slow Speed as they -went through them. The Navy detachment on the near-by point always -watched the boats as they passed through, making sure that they were at -least at half speed. - -Five minutes later they were abeam Andrefski point. The sky was still -gray and he could feel the swell of the waves increase beneath them. In -a few minutes he would be able to tell how rough the trip would be. He -rang Full Speed again. - -Bervick came into the wheelhouse. “How’s it look to you?” he asked. - -“Fair so far,” answered Evans. They both looked through the windows -at the waves crashing whitely on the black rocks of the point. A haze -hung in the air and the wind was not strong or direct. Then they swung -around the point and into the open sea. The ship rocked back and forth -as she dipped between the swells. - -“Just about a ten-foot sea,” remarked Bervick. - -Evans nodded. “Looks like the forecast is going to be right. Sea -striking on the port bow but it doesn’t seem so bad. In fact it’s -pretty good.” - -“It’ll be a good trip.” Bervick went into his cabin. Evans stood by the -window and watched the bare sharp mountains of the island move slowly -by. - -“Rather rough, isn’t it?” - -Evans looked around and saw the Major standing beside him. The Major -was holding onto the wooden railing beneath the window. - -“A little bit. We’ll make good time, though.” - -“That’s important.” The Major looked old this morning, Evans thought. -His sallow face showed the signs of heavy drinking. He would probably -be sick and say that he had indigestion. - -The Major squinted at the mountains. “How far off shore are we?” he -asked. - -“About two miles. That’s our usual running distance.” - -“It looks closer than that.” He contemplated the shifting water and the -stone hills and the steel color of the birdless sky. “It looks very -close.” - -“It does,” said Evans. The ship was dipping now from sea-valley to -sea-mountain with monotonous regularity. Evans was exhilarated by the -ship’s motion. He felt at home now. This was where he belonged. He -began to whistle. - -The Major laughed. “I thought that was bad luck--for old mariners to -whistle in the wheelhouse.” - -Evans smiled. “I’m not superstitious.” - -“Just an old custom, I suppose. Let’s hope there’s nothing to it.” - -“There isn’t.” - -They were approaching another cape and Evans gave the man at the wheel -a new course. - -“Have you been in this business long, Mr Evans?” - -“Been at sea long? Well, most of my life, since I was sixteen.” - -“Really? It must be fascinating.” The Major spoke without conviction. - -“Yes, it’s been a pretty good deal. Sometimes, though, I wish I’d gone -to West Point.” On an impulse he added this, knowing that it would -interest the older man. It did. - -“Did you have the opportunity?” he asked. - -“In a way. You see the Congressman from our district was a good friend -of my uncle who was married to my mother’s sister, and I think he could -have swung it. I know I used to think about it, but I went to sea -instead.” - -“You made a great mistake,” said the Major sadly, “a very great -mistake.” He looked out the window as if to behold the proof of the -mistake in the rolling sea. Mechanically he made his profile appear -hawk-like and military ... like Wellington. Evans smiled to himself. He -had seen a little of the regular army people and he thought them all -alike. To parade around in uniform and live on an uncomfortable army -post, to play poker and gossip; that was all of the world to them, he -thought. The life wasn’t bad, of course, but one was not one’s own boss -and there was not, naturally, the sea. The life seemed dull to him. - -“I suppose it was a mistake,” said Evans, knowing it was not. - -The Major sighed, “I can’t say that I care very much for the water.” -His face was drawn and tired and there were grayish pouches under his -eyes. - -“It’s something you have to have in you, I guess. With me it was being -a sailor or a farmer. Farming was hard work and so I got to be a -sailor.” - -“Sometimes one shouldn’t run away from the hard things,” said Major -Barkison tightly. “The easy way is not always the best way,” he added -with infinite wisdom. - -“I guess you’re right at that.” - -“Well, I think I shall go downstairs now.” The Major walked unsteadily -across the rocking wheelhouse deck. He opened the door and went below. - -“Quite a guy, the Major,” the man at the wheel remarked. - -“Yes, he seems to be O.K. At least he’s not chicken like some of the -ones we’ve carried.” - -“No, he seems to be a good guy.” - -Evans looked out the window. The weather was consistent. The wind was -blowing around twenty miles an hour. There was a thick snow flurry a -few miles ahead. He would go by the clock through the snow. - -The wheelhouse was quiet. From other parts of the ship he could hear -voices, and from the galley came the occasional sounds of breaking -china. - -The clock struck three bells. Snow began to splatter on the window -glass and whiten the decks. He could see only a few yards ahead. The -sea had gotten no rougher, though, and the wind was dying down. He -looked out into the whiteness and thought of nothing. - -Martin came out of his cabin. “How’s it going?” he asked. - -“Pretty good. Some snow just came up. We’ll be off Point Kada in five -minutes.” - -“That’s good time. Want me to take over for a while?” - -Evans was surprised. Martin usually slept until his watch began at -noon. It was unusual for him to be helpful. “Sure. Fine. Thanks,” he -said, and he went below. - -The cook was swearing at the stove. The pots slid dangerously back and -forth over the stove. Evans passed quickly through the galley. - -In the salon the Chaplain and the young Lieutenant sat. There was an -open book on the Chaplain’s lap, but he did not seem to have been -reading. He appeared ill. Lieutenant Hodges on the other hand was -enjoying himself. He was watching the waves hit against the stern. - -The salon was lighted by one electric bulb. Everything looked shapeless -in the sickly light: the rack where the tattered library of the ship -was kept, the wooden chairs piled on the two tables, the two men -sitting in one corner, all this looked gloomy and strange to him. He -flipped on another light and the place became cheerful. - -“Quite unpleasant, isn’t this?” Chaplain O’Mahoney remarked. He closed -the book on his lap. - -“Beginning to feel it?” - -“Oh my no, certainly not. I’ve been sitting here reading. I feel very -well.” - -“Where’s the Major?” - -Lieutenant Hodges answered, “He’s asleep in his stateroom. I think he’s -pretty tired after last night.” - -“So I gather. You went home early, didn’t you, Chaplain?” - -“Yes, yes, I had to get my eight hours, you know,” he said lightly. “I -had so many things to do before our departure.” - -Evans turned toward the galley. “Hey, Smitty!” he shouted. “When you -going to have chow?” - -“In about a hour.” - -“See you then.” Evans nodded to the two men and went back to the -wheelhouse. Martin was looking out the window and singing softly to -himself. Evans stood beside him. They watched the snow swirling over -the water; they watched for signs of change. That’s all this business -was, thought Evans. Watching the sea and guessing what it might do -next. The mist was thinning, he noticed. He could make out a familiar -cape ahead of them. They were on course. - -“How’s your buddy, the Major?” asked Martin. - -“He’s in his sack.” - -“I thought he was up here for a while.” - -“He was.” - -“I guess you’ll make Chief Warrant now.” - -Evans flushed, “That’s your department, polishing the brass.” - -“You do it so much better.” Martin chuckled. Evans bit his lip. He knew -that Martin often tried to irritate him and he did not like it when -he succeeded. He turned away from him. The man at the wheel had been -listening and was grinning. - -Evans looked at the compass without seeing the numbers. “Keep to your -course.” - -“But I am on course,” the man said righteously. - -Evans grunted. Martin walked away from the window and back into his -cabin. Evans cursed slightly. Then, relieved, he stood, looking out the -port window, his arms and legs braced as the ship plunged from wave to -wave, slanting the wheelhouse deck. - -At five bells Smitty shouted that chow was ready. - -Evans went into the mates’ cabin. Both were asleep. He shook Bervick, -who was in the top bunk. - -“Lunch. You’d better get up.” Bervick groaned and Martin rolled out of -the lower bunk. - -“You take over,” Evans said, speaking to Martin. “You can eat when I -get back. I’ll take part of your watch for you.” He went below. - -The crew was using the galley table. The officers and passengers used -one of the salon tables. The three passengers were walking about -aimlessly. - -“All ready for some of our wonderful hash?” Evans spoke the words -gaily, but even to his own ears they sounded flat. He did not have -Martin’s light touch with words. - -“I feel quite hungry,” said the Major, rubbing his hands together -briskly. - -“I seem to have no appetite,” said the Chaplain sadly. They sat down at -the table. The Major on Evans’ right, the Chaplain on his left. Hodges -sat next to Duval, who had come up from the engine room. - -“Engines running smoothly, Chief?” Evans asked. - -Duval beamed, “They’ve never been better. Were making good time.” - -“Good.” Evans helped himself to the hash. It looked pale and -unnourishing. The Major frowned. - -“This is that new canned ration, isn’t it?” - -“Yes. We have this when were traveling. It’s usually too rough to have -anything else fixed.” - -“I see.” The Major took some. The Chaplain decided that he was not -hungry at all. - -“You had better have some crackers,” Evans remarked. The Chaplain -refused with a weary smile. - -There was little conversation. Bervick and the Chief disagreed on the -expected time of arrival. For a moment Evans was afraid they would -begin an involved argument. Luckily they had enough sense not to. Evans -wondered why people could never get along with each other. Of course -living in too close quarters for a long time had a lot to do with it. -On these boats people saw too much of one another. - -After lunch Evans went back to the wheelhouse. Silently he relieved -Martin who went below. There was another snow flurry ahead. It looked -as if the rest of the trip would be by the clock. Evans watched the -water and waited for the snow to come. - -At noon Martin returned. - -“Where are we?” he asked. - -Evans studied the pale snow-blurred coast. “Almost abeam Crown rock. -We’ll be in the Big Harbor in about two hours. Don’t get any closer to -shore than we are and wake me up when you think you’re near the nets.” - -“O.K.” Martin checked the compass and the logbook and then he stood by -the window and looked out. Evans went into his cabin and stretched out -on his bunk. The rocking of the boat he found soothing. He slept. - - * * * * * - -“We’re about two miles from the nets,” said Martin, when Evans came -back into the wheelhouse. Outside the snow was thick and they could see -nothing but a blinding whiteness. The outline of the shore was gone. -Evans checked the time and the chart. He figured that they were less -than two miles from the entrance buoy. In another ten minutes they -should be able to see the nets. He rang Stand By. Martin went below -and Evans waited for a thinning of the snow. - -At last it came. Dimly he could see the great black mass of mountain -that marked the entrance to the Big Harbor. He felt much better seeing -this. He had never lost a ship in the fog or snow, but he knew that far -better sailors than he had gone on the rocks in similar weather. - -He directed the man at the wheel to pull in closer to shore. Just ahead -of him, only somewhat hazed by the thinning snow, he could make out a -red buoy off his starboard bow. Beyond this buoy were the nets. He rang -for Half Speed. On the deck below he could see the Major standing in -the wind. The Major thought Evans looked quite nautical, as he gazed -sternly into the snow. Spray splashing over the bow sent him quickly to -cover. - -At Slow Speed, Evans glided the ship between the nets. For five minutes -they vibrated slowly ahead. Then, in the near distance, he suddenly saw -the spires of the old Russian church, rising above the native village. - -To the right of the village were the docks. Evans took the wheel -himself and the ship moved slowly around the harbor’s only reef. With -a quick spin of the wheel Evans took the ship in closer to shore. The -water was deep up to within a few feet of the black abbreviated beach. -A hundred yards ahead of them were the docks. - -Two deckhands stood on the bow and attached heaving lines to the bow -and spring lines. Martin stood by the anchor winch, his eyes on the -dock where they would tie up. No other ships were on the face of this -dock. They would have it to themselves. - -Evans stopped both engines. They drifted ahead. The wind was off their -port bow, which was good. He pointed the bow toward the center of the -dock and then he waited. - -Ten feet from the dock he began to swing the bow away from shore. He -swore loudly as the ship turned too slowly. He had mistimed the speed. -Quickly he gave the off shore engine Slow Astern. The bow pulled out -more quickly, while the stern swung in. They hit lightly against the -pilings. A man on shore had already taken their spring line. Evans -stopped the off shore engine and waited to see if the lines were under -control. They were and he rang off the engine room. The landing had -been good. His heart was fluttering, he noticed, and the sweat trickled -down his left side. These landings were a strain. - - -ii - -Martin was in his bunk; handling the lines had tired him. His eyes were -shut but he was not asleep. He listened to Bervick moving about the -cabin. “Going up town?” he asked. - -“That’s right.” Bervick adjusted his cap. - -“You going to see Olga?” - -“I might. Haven’t had much to do with her lately.” - -“That’s right, you haven’t.” - -Bervick pulled on his parka. Thinking of Olga excited him. He still -liked her, and the thought of the Chief with her, bothered him. The -Chief would not be with her tonight; for some reason he was sure of -that. Tonight was his night. - -“I’ll be seeing you,” he said to Martin, and he went out onto the -forward deck. - -The tide was going out and the wheelhouse was now level with the dock. -With an effort he pulled himself up to the dock. To his left was the -native village and to his right were more docks and warehouses. Men -from the various boats walked about on shore, dim figures in the -twilight. Pale blue smoke circled up from the galley smokestacks. There -was a smell of cooking, of supper, in the cool air. Bervick turned and -walked into the village. - -The main street of the settlement curved parallel with the beach -for half a mile. Most of the houses were on this street. Bars and -restaurants and one theater, all wooden, also lined the street. The -buildings had been painted white originally; they were many weathered -shades of gray, now. On a small hill, behind two bars and a former -brothel, the old Russian Orthodox church rose straightly against the -evening. Its two onion-shaped cupolas were painted green; the rest of -the church was an almost new white. - -On several lanes, running inland from the main street, were the homes -of the two hundred odd pre-war residents. Most of the houses had been -vacated at the beginning of the war. The windows were boarded up and -the privies leaned crazily in the back yards. Seven trees, which -had been imported, were withered now, and their limbs had been made -grotesque by the constant wind. - -A mile inland from the shore and the village was the army camp. It -had been erected early in the war and its many barracks and offices -duplicated the military life of the distant United States. - -Soldiers from the post and sailors from the Navy ships in the harbor -wandered about the crooked lanes and along the main street. They were -looking for liquor and women. There was much of one and little of the -other in the Big Harbor. Prices were high for both. - -Bervick walked very slowly down the main street, proving to himself -that he was in no hurry to see Olga. He would see her later in the -evening. - -He stopped at a building somewhat larger than the rest. It was the -Arctic Commercial Store, the main store in the village. Almost anything -could be bought here. It was said that the store had made over a -million dollars since the war. - -Bervick went inside. It was warm and crowded and cheerful. Sailors with -beards in various stages of development walked about. Some wore gold -earrings in their ears. Bervick grimaced. Earrings were an old sea -custom recently revived. He did not like them. - -The shelves of the store were stocked with canned goods and souvenirs; -upstairs was a clothing store. Bervick looked around at the counters. -In the corner where souvenirs were sold, he saw several bright pink and -blue silk pillow covers. On them were printed, in gay colors, maps of -Alaska and various endearments. - -“How much is that one there?” Bervick asked the bearded man behind the -counter. - -“What one?” - -“That one over there.” Bervick flushed and pointed to a pink one, -inscribed _To My Sweetheart_. - -“You mean the Sweetheart one?” Bervick wondered if the man were deaf. -For some reason he felt a little foolish. He nodded and said, “Yes, -that’s the one.” - -The bearded man chuckled and handed it to him. Bervick paid him. The -price was too high but that was not unusual here. - -He stuffed the fake silk cover in his pocket. When he saw Olga he -would give it to her casually. The Chief had more money, but sometimes -sentiment was much more important. His breath came shorter when he -thought of Olga. He controlled himself. He would not go to her yet. -She had probably already heard that his ship was in. He would make her -wait for him. Bervick hoped the Chief would not try to see her tonight. -The Chief had said that he planned to work on the engines. Bervick -hoped that he would. The Chief wasn’t really much competition, though, -thought Bervick. - -He walked down the street. Drunken sailors in groups went grimly from -bar to bar. The Shore Patrol men stood warily on the wooden sidewalk, -waiting for trouble. Fights would begin later in the evening. - -The Anchorage Inn was a popular bar. It rambled for a hundred feet or -less on the main street, a few buildings from the Arctic Commercial -Store. Bervick decided to have a drink. - -A blast of heat and light engulfed him as he entered. The smell of -liquor, food, and too many people was strong in the room. It took him -several minutes to get used to the light and heat. - -A long counter extended across one end of the building. Through the -open kitchen door, behind the counter, he could see a fat woman cooking -at a greasy stove; clouds of smoke and steam sizzled up from the stove. -Two women and one man were serving at the counter and tables. Soldiers -and sailors crowded the place. A half-dozen women were unevenly -distributed. They worked in the shops and restaurants and bars. They -made a lot of money. - -Sitting at a table with two sailors was a large woman who immediately -recognized Bervick. “Hey, Joe,” she yelled. “You come over here.” - -“Hello, Angela. How’re you doing?” Bervick sat down at the table. The -two sailors were young and seemed frightened by Angela. They looked -relieved to see him. - -Angela was a huge and heavy breasted woman. She wore a green dress of -thick cloth. Her eyes were narrow puffy slits and her face was painted -carelessly. There was no reason for her to take pains up here, thought -Bervick. Any woman was a beauty to men who had been without women for -many months and occasionally years. Her hair was a bright brass red, -dark at the roots. Angela was several years older than the forty she -claimed to be. - -“What’s new, Joe?” she asked when he had made himself comfortable. - -“Not a thing. We just got in a little while ago.” - -“Yeah. I heard.” - -“News travels fast, I guess.” - -“It sure does.” - -The two young sailors mumbled something and moved away. Angela winked, -“There they go ... my admirers.” - -“I guess you still got a lot of them.” - -“Oh, I don’t do so bad. When you going to visit me? I live over the -store now, you know.” - -“So I heard.” - -“News travels fast.” They laughed. - -“How’s little Olga?” Angela asked. - -“I suppose she’s O.K. I don’t see her so much any more.” - -“That’s just as well. I don’t like to talk much about the other girls, -you know I don’t, but that Olga is just plain loose. I’m not saying the -rest of us are any the better, I mean I know I’m not such a pure ... -well, you know, but after all I don’t take on more than one....” - -“For Christ’s sake!” Bervick snapped at her. He was disgusted by this -corrupt mass of a woman saying such a thing of Olga. “That’s hard to -believe,” he added more calmly. - -“What? That I don’t go with more than one? Why you know perfectly well -I don’t. My only fault is that I’m just too affectionate.” She purred -this last, and under the table her knee was pushed against his. - -“I guess that’s right.” You couldn’t be angry with Angela, he thought. -He wondered if Olga would be waiting for him. - -“Then of course you know about her ... Olga, I mean ... two-timing that -Frenchman off your boat. What’s his name?” - -“I know about that. That’s old.” Bervick spoke with authority, and -Angela was impressed as he intended her to be. - -“Well, maybe she’s through with him.” She sighed and her great breasts -rippled. Bervick wondered if Olga might marry him if he asked her. That -would certainly cut the Chief out, he thought viciously. He frowned. - -“What’s the matter, darling?” asked Angela, leaning over the table, her -face close to his. Cheap perfume floated up from her in heavy waves; -it made him want to cough. - -“Not a thing, Angela, not a thing.” He moved back in his chair. - -“Well, don’t frown so,” she said peevishly, and then more brightly, -“What about a drink? They’ve got some good stuff here. Hey, Joe,” she -yelled at the waiter. He came over to their table. - -“Two shots, Joe.” - -The man went behind the counter and returned a moment later with two -jiggers of whiskey. Bervick started to pay. - -“Never mind.” Angela pushed his money aside. “This is on the house, -isn’t it, Joe?” - -“Sure.” Joe walked away. - -“I know so many things about Joe, you see.” Angela giggled. They gulped -the whiskey. A tall blond sailor across the room caught her eye. She -smiled and winked at him. The sailor came over to their table. - -“Hello, beautiful,” he said. - -“Hello, handsome.” Angela made fluttering feminine movements. Bervick -stood up. - -“I think I’ll go now,” he said. He noticed the sailor wore a gold -earring in one of his ears. - -“Bad luck, soldier,” said the sailor, leering and putting his arm -around Angela. Bervick turned away. - -“Give my best to Olga,” said Angela. He did not answer. He walked -outside into the cold air of the Arctic night. The whiskey had warmed -him and he did not feel the cold. He was glad he had taken it. - -The street was crowded with sailors. They were becoming more noisy. -Bervick walked on the extreme edge of the road in the shadow of the -buildings. He wanted no trouble tonight. - -The restaurant where Olga worked was called the Fall Inn. It was owned -by a man named Fall who had a great sense of humor. Olga used to -laugh a lot with Bervick when she thought of the funny name Mr Fall -had thought of. She liked to explain to customers why the name of the -restaurant was so funny. - -The Fall Inn was a large, well-lighted frame house on one of the lanes -that went back from the main street. Near it was a withered evergreen -tree surrounded by a picket fence. This had been Mrs Fall’s idea. - -Bervick stepped inside. He stood in the doorway, accustoming his eyes -to the light. Behind the counter, stood Olga. She was waiting on a -dozen or so customers. Olga was a tall girl with a slim figure. Her -features were rather flat and without distinction, but her eyes were -a beautiful shiny china blue. Her hair was silver-gold, long and -untidy, and her complexion was white and smooth. She had thick legs and -graceful hands. - -She saw Bervick when he came in. She looked away quickly and busied -herself with the cash register. - -He went over to her and sat down at the counter. “How are you?” he -asked, not knowing anything else to say. - -“What do you want?” She spoke nervously. - -“I just wanted to see you,” he said. “I guess it’s O.K. for me to sit -here.” - -“Go ahead, it’s a public place.” Still she did not go away. A man -across the room shouted for some coffee. Slowly she went back into the -kitchen. She seemed frightened. - -“Not making any headway with her, are you?” Bervick looked behind him. -Duval was standing there. He had been there for some time. - -Bervick felt sick to his stomach. For a moment he said nothing. Then he -asked easily, “What are you doing here?” He was careful to control his -voice. - -“Just what do you think, Sergeant?” Duval grinned. “I’m just here -having some coffee and maybe having Olga later on. I haven’t made up my -mind yet.” Duval sat down beside him. - -“I thought,” Bervick spoke slowly, “that you weren’t going to see her -tonight.” - -“I never said I wasn’t. Besides it’s her and my business. She don’t -want nothing to do with you anyway.” - -“That’s where you’re wrong.” - -“Well, you just go ask her, sucker.” Duval played with the sugar -container. - -Olga came back from the kitchen. She was frowning. Her light brows -almost met. - -“What are you doing tonight? Are you going to see this guy?” Bervick -asked. Olga flushed and thought a moment. Bervick knew already what she -would answer. Olga liked money too well. But, knowing this, he still -wanted her. - -Olga decided to be angry. “What makes you two think you’re so good you -can tell me what to do? I think you’re both conceited. Maybe I ain’t -interested in neither of you.” - -“Maybe you’re right,” said Duval. “I guess I’ll just pay for some -coffee and get on out.” Then he opened his wallet and let her see the -thick sheaf of bills. Her eyes narrowed. - -“What you in such a hurry to go for? My gracious, you’d think I was -poison or something.” A customer yelled for food and she went back into -the kitchen. - -“I’d like to break your back,” said Bervick very deliberately, making -each word a curse. - -“Don’t get upset, Sergeant. I just got more than you. I been keeping -Olga ever since she got tired of you. You know that, so why do you keep -hanging around? What you want to do? Marry her?” - -Bervick felt sick. He watched the Chief’s wide mouth move as he -spoke. He noticed the Chief had a bright gold upper tooth. It gleamed -cheerfully as he spoke. - -Duval went on talking. “There’re some other girls around here. What -about that fat girl who’s so stuck on you? What’s her name? Angela?” - -“Angela!” exclaimed Olga. She came back from the kitchen in time to -hear the name “Angela.” “Why she’s just a big fat you-know-what. So -you been seeing her.” She turned on Bervick, glad at last of an excuse -to be rid of him. “Well, you got your nerve to want to do anything -with me after you been with her. Why I bet she’s got everything wrong -with her.” A customer wanted to pay for his meal. She went to the cash -register. - -“Too bad,” said Duval. “You aren’t much of a lover, are you? You go see -Angela. She’s just your speed.” - -Unsteadily Bervick got to his feet. He buttoned his parka. Olga did -not look at him; she pretended to be busy figuring change. The Chief -absently twirled the sugar container between his broad hands. - -Bervick walked out of the Fall Inn. He did not shiver when the cold -hit him. Some men from the boats were urinating beside one of the -buildings. They did it all the time, all over the place. It was -unpleasant, he thought. Someone should put a stop to it. Thinking of -this and not of Olga, he walked back to the Anchorage Inn. - -Angela was not surprised to see him. The blond sailor with the gold -earring was sound asleep in the chair beside her. On the table was a -half empty bottle of whiskey. Wearily Bervick walked over to her. - -“Hello, darling,” she said brightly. “Was Olga mean to you?” - -“That’s right,” he said. He sat down beside her. The sailor stirred -sleepily. His long hair fell in his face. - -“Nice, isn’t he?” commented Angela, with a motherly air. - -“Yeah. What are you doing tonight?” - -She looked at him. The playfulness left her face. She was strictly -business now. “Sure, darling, sure,” she said. “But you know how it is.” - -“I know just how it is. I only got ten dollars,” he lied. - -Angela sighed. Then she smiled, her fat face creased with kindness. -“I’ll lose my reputation for this,” she said with a chuckle, “but for -an old pal, that’s a deal.” Bervick thanked her. He wondered to himself -how these wrecks of women would ever be able to adjust themselves to -peacetime when no man would look at them. “Of course you might take me -to the show first,” she added coquettishly: a female elephant trembling -at the thought of love. - -“I suppose I could. What’s on tonight?” - -“_Saturday Magic._ I hear it’s real good. I saw it advertised when I -was in Frisco ten years ago.” - -“That sounds good to me.” Bervick helped her up. The sailor was still -asleep. Angela took the bottle of whiskey and slipped it in her coat -pocket. - -“He’ll never miss it. Besides we might want some in the movie,” she -said cozily. They pushed their way through the crowd of soldiers and -sailors. Standing outside the door were two Shore Patrol men waiting -gloomily for the eventual riot. - -“Nasty bunch them SP’s,” remarked Angela, and then, “Jesus but it’s -cold.” She pulled her coat tight about her neck. Quickly they walked to -the small theatre at the end of the street. - -The theatre held about two hundred people. It was almost filled now -and the show had begun. They found seats at the back. A shot was being -fired on the screen and Angela, hearing it, squealed with gay terror. -Two rows in front of them a man vomited. Bervick shuddered. - -“That’s all right, dear. You’ll be warm in a minute,” whispered Angela. -He put his arm around her thick shoulders. She giggled and let her hand -rest on his knee. Together they watched the figures on the screen and -thought of each other. - - -iii - -Morning came whitely over the harbor. The water was oily calm. A small -Navy boat went through the channel and the crews of the different boats -began to stir about on the docks. - -Bervick walked down the deserted street of the village. The houses -looked unlived in. There was no sign of life away from the docks. His -footsteps sounded sharp and clear in the emptiness of the morning. - -He thought of Angela and felt sick at the memory of her making love in -a torn silk dressing gown, her frizzled red hair hanging stiffly down -her back. Olga was so much cleaner. He would not think of Olga, though. - -The ship was already awake. The crew was straggling up out of the -focs’le. He could see Evans moving around in the wheelhouse. Martin was -out on the forward deck. - -“Have a good time?” yelled Martin when he saw him. - -“Sure. Don’t I always?” - -“Sure.” - -Bervick climbed aboard and stood beside Martin who was adjusting the -hatch cover. - -“Who were you with last night? Olga?” - -“No. I was with Angela.” - -“That pig?” - -“I know it.” Bervick sighed and began, for the first time, to recall -Angela’s large torso. “She’s got a nice personality,” he said absently. - -“Don’t they all?” said Martin. He kicked the edge of the canvas into -place. “Let’s have chow.” - -Evans was sitting alone at the table when they came in. He muttered a -good morning. They sat down. - -Bervick was hungry. He ate even the cold-storage eggs, which Smitty -invariably served them and which they seldom ate. - -Martin looked up. “Say, Evans,” he said, “what’s this story I hear -about John Jones? You know, the Indian guy from Seldovia.” - -“He killed himself.” Evans pushed himself back from the table and -teetered his chair on the deck. - -“What went wrong?” Bervick was interested. He had been on a power barge -with Jones. - -“He drank a bottle of methyl alcohol last night.” Evans made himself -appear bored. He always did when anyone they knew died. - -“Well, what did he do that for?” Evans irritated Bervick sometimes. -Evans always wanted to be asked things, as if he were an authority. - -“The girl he had back in Seldovia, an Indian girl, she left him and -gets married. She writes him about it and he locks himself up in the -head and drinks this stuff. They found him around midnight. He looked -pretty awful they said. I guess he took the girl too seriously.” -Bervick knew the last remark was intended for him and he did not like -it. He would not kill himself for a woman, not himself, that was -certain. - -“That’s life,” said Martin helpfully. The Chaplain and the Major -entered the salon. Both were cheerful and both looked rested. They -announced that young Hodges was still asleep. - -“We played poker for a little while last night. Where were you, -Sergeant? We needed an extra man.” The Major spoke genially to show -that aboard ship he was not conscious of rank. - -“I was visiting friends in the village, sir.” Bervick shifted uneasily -in his chair. - -“They have a fine old Russian church there, don’t they?” asked the -Chaplain. - -“Yes, they do.” - -“Very interesting, these old churches. I suppose one can’t go in the -church here.” - -“I think it’s locked until the war’s over,” said Evans. “The priest was -evacuated.” - -“Such a pity,” the Chaplain complained. “I should like to have seen it.” - -Duval and his assistants came up from the engine room. The first -assistant, a short heavy man, was splattered with grease. - -“What’s the matter?” Evans asked. - -“Just a little trouble with the auxiliary again. It’ll be O.K. I think. -Just go easy on them winches. I been up since five working on this -damned thing.” Duval gestured with his hands. Bervick wondered when he -had left Olga. - -“Good morning, Bervick,” said Duval genially. “Did you sleep well last -night?” - -Without answering Bervick left the salon and went in the galley. He -could hear the Major murmur words of surprise and he could hear Evans -change the subject. - -Martin joined Bervick in the wheelhouse. “What’s bothering you?” He -asked. “You aren’t still sore at the Chief because of that Norwegian -animal?” - -“Maybe I am. That’s my business.” - -“You’re acting like a half-wit. Before you know it, the Chief’ll get -Evans to throw you off the boat.” - -“That’s fine by me. I don’t know if I want to be around that guy.” -Bervick gave the bulkhead a vicious poke. - -“You’re getting a little crazy in the head.” - -Bervick shrugged. “I’m not the only one, I guess.” - -“Well, you better not bother the Chief very much or there’ll be some -real trouble one of these days. Anyway I can’t see how you managed to -get so hot and bothered over Olga.” - -“That’s my business.” - -Martin looked at Bervick and saw that there were harsh lines about his -mouth. He was fingering his long hair. - -“I guess it is,” said Martin finally. - -Evans came whistling into the wheelhouse. He was followed by a Captain, -the Assistant Superintendent of the harbor. - -“Are we sailing?” asked Martin. - -Evans nodded. “Just as soon as the Captain here gives us clearance.” - -“The weather...?” - -“According to the Navy,” said the Captain, examining some papers in -his hand, “according to the Navy you will encounter heavy weather near -the Agan cape. Twenty-foot sea at the worst. Fair visibility and not -too much wind. Of course you realize at this time of year anything can -happen.” - -“There are no planes leaving, are there?” asked Evans. - -The Captain shook his head. “Not for a week anyway. This is about the -quickest trip for the Major.” He handed Evans an envelope. “Here’s your -clearance and the weather report in detail. See you on your way back.” -The Captain left. - -“Were off,” said Martin. He looked out over the still harbor. “I guess -it will be a good trip. Hope so, anyway.” - -Evans looked at the gray sky. “There’s a lot of snow up there. Go tell -the Major that he can’t fly. He wanted to know.” - -Martin and Bervick went below together. They found the Major in the -salon, filing his nails. He looked inquiringly at them. - -“No planes leaving, sir,” said Martin. “They’re still weathered in.” - -“Well, that _is_ too bad.” The Major seemed cheerful. Bervick decided -that Major Barkison liked the idea of a three-day trip. “Will we leave -soon?” - -“Right away.” - -“Good.” - -Bervick and Martin met the Chaplain in the companionway. The Chaplain -was not particularly pleased at the idea of a boat trip, but he decided -to be hearty and take it like a good sport. “Well, that will be nice. -I have always wanted to do this sort of thing. We never were near the -ocean in Maryland. That is, Maryland was near, or rather on, the ocean, -but we weren’t. This’ll be quite an experience for a landsman.” - -“It will,” said Martin. - -“I hope I shan’t have a repeat performance....” - -“Not if you eat plenty of crackers. Will you excuse us, Chaplain?” - -“Of course.” - -They could hear Evans ringing Stand By. Together they went out on deck. -The men on watch were already there. - -“How do you want to go?” Martin shouted to Evans in the wheelhouse. -Evans put his head out the window. - -“Let everything go at once!” - -Two seamen from one of the power barges stood by their lines on the -dock. - -“O.K.,” said Martin. “Cast off.” The crew began to pull in the lines. -Bervick went aft and helped handle the stern. Martin waited while the -men coiled the lines. Then he yelled to Evans, “All free!” He could -see Evans nod and go to the telegraph. - -The ship swung slowly away from the dock. The wind blew damply and -gently in their faces. The sea gulls circled high overhead. - -Bervick joined Martin on the forward deck. They watched the bow of the -ship cut with increasing speed through the dark and rippled water. - -“It looks awful quiet, don’t it, Martin?” - -“Does look quiet. I hope it stays that way. The weather didn’t look too -good in the report.” - -“Didn’t look bad?” - -“No.” - -“I wish to hell I’d stayed in the Merchant Marine.” - -“It’s tough all over.” - -“Yeah.” - -“We better see what Evans wants. He’ll probably want to hose down the -decks.” - -“Yeah.” - -As they turned to go, Bervick reached in his pocket and brought out a -bundle which he tossed quickly overboard. - -“What was that?” asked Martin curiously. - -“Some old rags.” - -“Oh.” They went below. - -The bow of the ship cut more and more swiftly through the harbor and -toward the nets. The gulls wheeled higher and higher in the sky, and on -the crest of one wave floated a pink piece of cloth, decorated with the -words _To My Sweetheart_ ... and a map of Alaska. - - - - -_Chapter Three_ - - -i - -Major Barkison contemplated the sea and was pleased by it. Today the -water was smooth and only occasionally disturbed by gusts of wind. The -Major stood alone on the forward deck. A few miles to his left was the -vanishing entrance to the Big Harbor; before him was the Bering Sea. - -Dreamily the Major thought of the sea: of the great masses of -moon-guided water, constantly shifting: of sunken ships; of all the -centuries that people had gone out on the water, and of all those, -like Evans, to whom the sea was a part of living. He enjoyed thinking -of these large vague things as the ship moved steadily ahead, causing -sharp small waves of its own, waves which shattered themselves into the -larger ones. - -The water of the Bering Sea was a deep blue-black, thought the Major, -and he watched carefully the ship-made waves: black when with the sea -mass, then varying shades of clear blue as they swept up into the large -waves, exploding at last in sudden whiteness. When he had the time, -Major Barkison appreciated beauty. He had three days now in which to be -appreciative. - -Several sea lions wallowed fearlessly near the ship. Their black coats -glistened in the pale morning light. For a moment they dove and -splashed near the ship, and then, quickly they went away. - -He heard the sound of wings behind him. He turned and saw the Indian -cook throwing garbage overboard. The air was filled with sea gulls, -fighting for scraps on the water. He watched them as they glided in the -air, their wings motionless, their heads rigidly pointed. They seemed -reptilian to him. For the first time, noticing their unblinking black -beady eyes, he saw the snake in these smooth gray birds. The Major did -not like snakes. - -Visibility was good. They seemed even closer than two miles to shore. -In the distance, toward the end of the island, he could see one of the -active volcanos. At regular intervals a column of smoke and fire came -up out of it. The island was a cluster of volcanos, tall and sharp, -their peaks covered with snow. Clouds hung over the peaks and the stone -of the mountains was black and gray. - -Overhead the sun made an effort to shine through the clouded sky; the -sun seldom did, though. This was the place where the bad weather was -made, according to the Indians, and the Major agreed. He yawned and was -glad that he had not flown. He did not like flying over hidden peaks. -He hoped this trip would be uneventful. - -Major Barkison had a sure method of foretelling weather, or anything -else for that matter. He would, for instance, select a certain patch of -sky and then count slowly to three; if, during that time, no sea gull -crossed the patch of sky, the thing he wanted would come true. This -method could be applied to everything and the Major had great faith in -it. - -He looked at a section of sky above a distant volcano. Slowly he -counted. At the count of two a gull flew across his patch of sky. -The Major frowned. He had a way, however, of dealing with this sort -of thing. He would use the best two counts out of three. Quickly he -counted. No gull appeared. The trip would not be bad. In his mind, -though, he wondered if it might not be cheating to take the best two -out of three. One had to play fair. Not that he was superstitious, of -course. - -The Major began to feel the cold of the wind. The cold came gradually. -He did not realize it until he found himself shivering. Carefully, -holding onto the railing, he walked aft to the galley. - -Inside he stood by the range and warmed himself. He shivered as the -cold left. Steam came up from his hands. - -Hodges and the Chaplain were sitting at the galley table drinking -coffee. The Indian cook was arranging some canned rations in a -cupboard. Major Barkison took off his parka and sat down at the galley -table. - -“Pretty cold, isn’t it?” remarked the Chaplain. - -“Yes, it is. Very penetrating, this cold. Goes right through to the -bone.” - -“I suppose so. Actually this isn’t half so cold as Anchorage or Nome. -The Chain isn’t much worse than Seattle.” - -“I’ll take Seattle,” said Hodges. “Who was it who said this place was -the chamber pot of the gods?” The Major laughed. - -“I hear,” said the Chaplain, “that you are going to be promoted, Major.” - -“How did you hear that?” - -The Chaplain giggled. “Through the grapevine. You hear all sorts of -things that way, you know.” - -Barkison nodded. “It looks like it’ll be coming through any time now.” - -“That’ll be nice for you. Your career and all that.” - -“Yes, it will be nice.” The Major poured himself a cup of coffee from -the pot on the stove. Then he sat down again. He poured some canned -milk into the coffee. - -“They say that the natives think that’s where milk comes from, out of a -can,” Hodges remarked. - -“You can get to like condensed milk,” said the Major. “I never used to -like it before I came up here.” He stirred his coffee and thought of -Fort Lewis where he had been stationed for many years before the war. -As he remembered, he missed the trees and green fields the most; large -leafy trees and green smooth clover pastures. He wondered how long it -would be before he went back. - -“Where is your home?” asked the Chaplain, turning to Hodges. - -“Virginia, the northern part.” - -“Oh, really. That’s quite near to me. You know the monastery of -Saint Oliver?” Hodges shook his head. “Well that’s where I was, near -Baltimore, you know. When I was a child I used to visit relatives in -Pikefield County. You didn’t know anyone in Pikefield, did you?” - -“I’m afraid I never did. I was never in the southern part of the state -much. I was mostly in Fairfax.” - -“Great country,” commented the Major. “I’ve been in many horse shows -around there, around Warrenton. Beautiful country, I’ve always liked -it.” - -“I never knew you rode, sir,” said Hodges. - -“Why yes. I was in the cavalry when I first got out of the Point. -Changed over later. Cavalry was a little bit too much wear and tear -for me. You see,” and he lowered his voice and spoke rather wearily, -“you see, I have a heart murmur.” - -“Really?” The Chaplain became interested. “Isn’t that odd, but you know -I’ve got the same thing. As a matter of fact the doctor up at Anchorage -told me I might drop dead at any moment. You can imagine how surprised -I was to hear that.” - -“I can imagine.” The Major spoke drily. The Chaplain’s heart did not -interest him. He was a little annoyed that the Chaplain should have -mentioned it. - -“Yes, I might drop dead at any moment.” Chaplain O’Mahoney seemed to -enjoy saying those words. - -The Major looked out the porthole and watched the gray water shifting -under the still sunless sky. - -“I like Anchorage,” said the Chaplain absently. - -“The best place in Alaska,” agreed Hodges. “You can get real steak -there. You got to pay high for it, though.” - -“Sure, but they’re a lot more civilized than some places I could -mention. It certainly does get cold up there.” The Chaplain shuddered -at the thought. - -“That’s why war is hell,” said the Major. He wondered how long it would -be before his promotion came through. Almost without thinking he used -his method. If the Chaplain blinked his eyes within the count of three, -he would not get his promotion for at least six months. He looked at -the Chaplain’s eyes and he counted to himself. The Chaplain did not -blink. Major Barkison felt much better. He would be a Lt Colonel in -less than six months. O’Mahoney was watching him, he noticed. - -“Do you feel well, Major?” the Chaplain asked. - -“Never better. Why?” - -“I thought you looked odd. You were staring so. It must be my -imagination.” - -“It must be. I was just staring, daydreaming, you know.” - -“Yes, I do it often myself. Once I had an unusual revelation that way.” - -The Major changed the subject. He spoke to Hodges. “Are you going to -stay with the Adjutant General’s department after the war?” Lieutenant -Hodges was regular army like the Major. - -Hodges shook his head. “I don’t think so. I’m going to try to get in -Operations.” - -“It’s quite interesting, these revelations; I suppose one would call -them that....” O’Mahoney began again. - -Major Barkison interrupted hurriedly. “I am certain they are.” He -turned to the Lieutenant. “Of course, Hodges, the work’s quite -different from what you’ve been doing.” - -“I know. I think I’d like it though.” - -Barkison could see that O’Mahoney was trying to decide whether to tell -of his revelation or not. He decided not to. They sat without speaking, -and the Major listened to the sounds of the ship. Distant voices -from the salon and the wheelhouse and, nearer them, the soft curses -of Smitty, the Indian cook, as he prepared lunch. The ship, Barkison -noticed, was rocking more than usual. Evans was probably changing -course. - -The Major excused himself and walked into the almost dark salon and -stood by the after door, looking out. In shallow ridges the wake of the -ship foamed on the sky-gray water: gray when you looked at its surface -but obsidian-dark beneath. A slight wind blew, troubling only the -gulls, who floated uneasily on it. - -Martin came and stood beside him in the doorway. - -“Ah, Mr Martin. Smooth sailing, isn’t it?” - -“Yes, very.” - -“I’m certainly glad it is. Certainly glad it’s calm. I had thought we -might have rough weather according to the report, but it doesn’t seem -so.” - -“Might be bad yet, Major. This is pretty unusual. In fact this isn’t at -all what we expected.” - -“Weather’s incalculable here, I suppose. That’s true of all the -Aleutians, I suppose.” - -“You’re right there. You can’t tell much till it’s almost too late.” - -“What sort of work did you do before you came in the army, if I may -ask?” - -“I was an actor.” - -“Is that so?” At one time the Major had been interested in the theater. -He was still fascinated by the business. “Were you in the pictures?” - -“No, on the stage. Up around New England.” - -“Indeed? This,” the Major pointed at the water, “this seems quite -different from that sort of work.” - -“In a way I suppose so. That’s what the army does. It’s just one of -those things, I guess.” - -“Just one of those things,” echoed the Major. He thought of himself -on a stage. In his mind he could see himself playing Wellington. The -uniforms would be flattering. He would look martial in them. Major -Barkison was a romantic, a frustrated romantic perhaps, but still a -romantic. Before the war, when the army could wear civilian clothes, -Major Barkison had worn very bright ties. “Must be interesting work.” - -“Yes, I guess I’ll do it again if I can.” - -“You must certainly. One should always do the thing one does best.” The -Major spoke with the firmness of the master of the platitude. - -“That’s right, sir.” - -Major Barkison toyed with the thought of himself as Wellington. The -thought was pleasant and he examined it from all angles. He dreamed for -several moments. - -“I understand,” said Martin at last, “that they are going to rotate to -the States all men who’ve been here two years or more.” - -“What? Oh, yes, that’s our policy. It’s a little hard to do, naturally. -There aren’t many replacements so far. How long have you been here?” - -“Fourteen months. I’ve got another ten months to go.” - -“I know how you feel. How long has Mr Evans been here?” - -“Over three years, but then he’s practically a native. He lived in -Seward. He probably likes Alaska.” - -“He must, to stay here that long. For some people, it’s a good place.” - -“He used to fish in these waters.” - -“Really? He seems to want to go back now. I can’t say I blame him.” - -“Neither do I.” - -Major Barkison wondered if his own request to join a certain General -in another theater would be granted. He hoped it would be. There were -times when he felt his whole career was being blocked in this, now -inactive, theater of war. - -“Arunga’s getting to be quite big, isn’t it, Major?” - -“Yes, it’s about the best developed island here. Probably be quite a -post-war base. Key to the northern defense.” - -“So I hear.” - -“Yes, the General was wise to build up Arunga.” - -“I hear he’s got a big house there with a grand piano and all that sort -of stuff.” - -Barkison laughed. “He lives in a shack.” - -“I guess somebody just started talking too much once.” Martin looked -about him. “I got to go up top now,” he said. “Will you excuse me?” - -“Certainly.” Martin left through the galley. - -Major Barkison sat down on a bench in the salon. He looked at the books -in the rack. Most of them looked dull. - -He sat quietly and studied the linoleum of the deck. The cracks in the -linoleum formed interesting patterns, rather like lines on a battle -map. He wondered just what battle these lines looked the most like. -Probably Gettysburg. All maps looked like Gettysburg. - -Bored, he examined the books again. One of them caught his eye: a book -of short biographies. He picked it up and thumbed through the pages. -The last biography was about General Chinese Gordon. Interested, he -began to read. In his subconscious Wellington, for the time being, -began to fade. A stage appeared in the mind of the Major, and he saw -himself, the frustrated romantic, surrounded by Mandarins; dressed as -General Gordon, he was receiving a large gold medal for his defeat of -the Wangs. Major Barkison could almost hear the offstage cheers of a -crowd. He began to frame a speech of thanks in his mind. He could hear -his own inner voice speaking brilliantly and at length of attrition. As -Chinese Gordon he thought of these things. - - -ii - -At ten o’clock, two hours after they had left the Big Harbor, Evans -noticed that the barometer had dropped alarmingly. - -He called Bervick over. Together they figured how much the barometer -had fallen in the last two hours. Evans was worried; Bervick was not. - -“I seen this sort of thing before,” said Bervick. “Sometimes it’s just -the chain inside the barometer skipping a little, or maybe it’s just -for the time being. I seen this sort of thing before.” - -“Sure, so have I.” Evans lowered his voice, he was afraid the man at -the wheel might hear them. “I seen it blow all to hell, too, when the -barometer dropped like this.” Evans was nervous. He did not like to be -nervous or seem nervous at sea, but lately some of the most trivial -things upset him. A falling barometer, of course, was not trivial. On -the other hand, it was not an unusual thing. - -“Well, the weather don’t look bad, Skipper. Take a look.” - -They opened one of the windows and looked out. The sky, though -fog-ridden and dark, was no more alarming than ever. The sea was not -high and the wind was light. The sea gulls were still hovering about -the ship. - -“I still don’t like this,” murmured Evans. “It’s just the way it was -the time the williwaw caught us off Umnak, remember that?” - -“Sure, I remember. We been hit before. What you so hot and bothered -about? You been sailing these waters a long time. We seen the barometer -drop worse than this.” Bervick looked at him curiously. - -Evans turned away from the window. “I don’t know,” he said finally. “I -just got the jumps, I guess. This weather gets under my skin sometimes.” - -“I know, it’s no good, this crazy weather.” - -Evans took a long shaky breath. “Well, we’re near enough to a lot of -inlets if anything blows up.” - -“That’s right.” - -“Tell the quartermaster to steer a half mile nearer shore.” - -“O.K.” Bervick talked to the man at the wheel a moment. Evans looked at -the chart of the islands. Bervick joined him and together they studied -the chart and an old logbook which had been used on their last trip. - -Evans rechecked the courses and the running times around the different -capes. The stretches of open sea, while more vulnerable to the big -winds, were generally safest. The capes and spits of rock were -dangerous. One had to deal with them every fifteen minutes or so. - -He checked the bays and inlets that they would pass. He also figured -the times they would be abeam these openings. At the first sign of -danger he would anchor inside one of these sheltered places. In the -open sea they would have to weather any storm that hit them, but there -would be no rocks in the open sea and that was a help. - -“There’s some good harbors on Kulak,” said Bervick, examining that -island on the chart. - -“That’s right, we’ll be there early tomorrow morning. We’ll leave this -island around four in the afternoon. We’ll coast along by Ilak for -around six hours and then we hit open sea.” - -“It’s about a hundred miles of open sea; it’ll take us over nine hours. -Then we reach Kulak.” - -“I’ll feel O.K. there. Weather’s good from there on.” - -“Sure the weather’s always good from there on. It’s always wonderful -here.” Bervick went back into his cabin. His watch did not begin until -four. - -Evans put away the charts. Then he stood by the window and watched the -sky. Toward the southwest the clouds were dark, but the wind, which was -faint, was from almost the opposite direction. The wind could change, -though. When it was not strong and direct anything could happen. - -Martin came into the wheelhouse. He looked at the barometer and -whistled. - -Evans was irritated. “Don’t whistle in the wheelhouse. It’s bad luck.” - -“You always do.” - -“That’s different.” - -Martin chuckled, then, “Barometer’s mighty low. How long she been -dropping?” - -“For almost two hours.” Evans wished his first mate would not talk so -loudly in front of the man on watch. - -“That doesn’t look....” - -“No, it doesn’t.” Evans interrupted sharply. He looked warningly at -the wheelsman. Martin understood. He walked over and stood beside Evans -at the window. - -“The sky looks all right.” - -“Sure. Sure. That’s the way it always is.” - -“What’s all the emotion for?” - -“None of your damned business. Why don’t you crawl in your sack?” - -“I think I will.” Grinning, Martin went into his cabin. - -Gloomily Evans looked at the sky again. He knew that he must be acting -strangely. He had never let them see him nervous before. Weather was -beginning to get on his nerves after all his years in these waters. - -The wheelhouse was getting a little warm, he noticed. He opened one of -the windows and leaned out. The cold damp air was refreshing as it blew -in his face. - - * * * * * - -At eight bells Smitty announced lunch. Martin took Evans’ place on -watch. Bervick and Evans went below to the salon. - -The passengers were already seated. Their morale, Evans could see, was -quite high. Duval, oil streaks on his face and clothes, looked tired. - -“Engines going smooth?” asked Evans sitting down. - -“Just like always. Little bit of trouble with a valve on the starboard, -but that’s all. The valve isn’t hitting quite right.” - -“You got a spare part, haven’t you?” - -“Sure.” - -“Well, let’s not worry.” - -Smitty brought them hash and coffee and crackers. He slammed the dishes -down on the table. - -“I feel as if I could eat a horse,” said the Chaplain. - -“You come to the right place,” said Smitty. They laughed at the old -joke. - -“Any new developments?” asked the Major. - -Evans shook his head. “No, nothing new. We’re making about twelve knots -an hour. That’s nice time.” He looked at Bervick. “Weather’s fine,” he -added. - -“Splendid,” said the Major. - -“What was that you were reading, Major, when we came in?” asked the -Chaplain. - -“A piece about General Gordon. A great tragedy, Khartoum, I mean. They -were most incompetent. It’s a very good example of politics in the -army.” - -“Yes, I know what you mean,” said O’Mahoney. - -“Are there many seals in these waters?” asked Hodges. - -Evans nodded. “A good many. If we see any salmon running you’ll see a -lot of seals chasing them. Sea lions hang around all the time.” - -“I saw some this morning,” commented the Major. “I understand they’re -the fastest fish in the water.” - -“I believe they are classed as mammals,” corrected the Chaplain, -looking at Bervick who nodded. - -“That’s right, sir, they are mammals.” - -“You heard the Major,” Duval suddenly said. “They are just big fish.” - -“A lot you know about fish,” said Bervick coolly. - -“I know enough about these things to know a fish when I see one swim in -the water.” - -“Anybody with any kind of sense knows that sea lions aren’t fish.” - -“So you’re calling the Major and me dumb.” - -Bervick caught himself. “I’m sorry, Major, I didn’t mean that, sir.” - -Major Barkison agreed, a little puzzled. “I’m sure you’re right, -Sergeant. I know nothing about these things.” - -Bervick looked at the Chief triumphantly. He murmured, “That’s like I -said: they aren’t fish.” - -The Chief was about to reply. Irritated, and a little worried that the -Major might get the wrong impression of them, Evans said firmly, “I’ve -heard all I want to hear about sea lions.” Duval grumbled something and -Bervick looked at his plate. The silence was awkward. - -“When,” asked the Chaplain helpfully, “do we get to Arunga?” - -“It’s about eight hundred miles. I always figure about seventy hours or -more,” Evans answered, glad to change the subject. - -Evans thought of the falling barometer and the stormy sky. For some -reason, as he thought, the word “avunculus” kept going through his -head. He had no idea what it meant but he must have heard or read it -somewhere. The desire to say the word was almost overpowering. Softly -he muttered to himself, “avunculus.” - -“What was that?” asked Bervick who, sitting nearest him, had heard. - -“Nothing, I was thinking, that’s all.” - -“I thought you said something.” - -“What tonnage is this boat?” asked Hodges. - -“Something over three hundred,” answered Evans. He had forgotten, if he -had ever known, the exact tonnage. - -“That’s pretty big.” - -“For a small ship it’s average,” said Evans. In the past he had sailed -on all types of ships. He had been an oiler and a deckhand and finally -master of a fishing boat outside Seward. Of all the ships he had been -on, he liked this one the best. She was easy to handle. He would like -to own a ship like this when the war was over. Many changes would have -to be made, of course. The ship was so expensive to run that only the -government could afford the upkeep. He could think of at least a dozen -changes that should be made. - -The others discussed the ship, and Duval told them about the engine -room. He was proud of his engine room. Evans knew Duval was a fine -engineer. - -Evans looked at his empty plate and remembered that the hash had been -good today. Smitty had put garlic in it and he liked garlic. The others -seemed to like the hash, too, and he was glad. He always felt like a -host aboard his ship. Ships were his home; this one in particular. - -Before the others had finished, Evans motioned to Bervick and they -excused themselves. - -In the wheelhouse Evans took Martin’s place on watch. There had been no -change in the barometer. - -“I want you to cut that stuff out,” said Evans abruptly. - -Bervick, who was playing with the dividers at the chart table, looked -surprised. “Cut what out?” - -“You know what I mean. All this arguing with the Chief. I don’t like -it and you better not let it happen again. You got more sense than to -fight with him in front of some rank like the Major.” - -Bervick set his jaw. “No fault of mine if he wants to argue all the -time. You tell him to keep out of my business and I won’t say nothing.” - -“I’ll talk to him, but you better remember too. I can’t take much more -of this stuff. You been at each other for months now.” - -“He gets in my hair. He gets in my business.” - -“For Christ’s sake!” Evans exploded. “Can’t you forget about that -bitch? Can’t you figure that there’re a lot more where that one came -from? What’s wrong with you anyway?” - -Bervick gestured. “I guess I just been up here too long. I guess that’s -what’s the matter.” - -Evans was tired now. “Sure, that’s it. That’s what’s wrong with all of -us. We been to sea too long.” Evans knew as well as Bervick the truth -of this. After living too long in close quarters with the same fifteen -or twenty men, one began to think and do irrational things. Women were -scarce and perhaps it was normal that Bervick should feel so strongly. -He watched Bervick as he fiddled with the dividers on the chart. He was -a good man to have around. Evans liked his second mate. - -“How’s the barometer doing now?” asked Evans. - -Bervick looked at it, twisting his hair as he did. “About the same. Bit -lower, maybe.” - -Evans grunted. A mile ahead he could make out a long black spit of rock -and stone and reef. As they approached it he changed the course. First -five degrees to port, then ten, then they were around the point. The -end of the island, some fifteen miles away, came clearly into view. -This island was a big one and mountainous. In the clear but indirect -light he could see the white peaks that marked the westernmost cape. -Because of the size of the volcanic peaks the shore looked closer than -it was. - -“Sky’s still dark,” said Bervick. Evans noticed his mate’s eyes were -the color of the sea water. He had never noticed that before. It was an -unusual thing, Evans thought, but having lived so long with Bervick he -never really looked at him and probably could not have described him. -Evans looked back at the sky. - -“Still bad looking. I don’t like it so much. Still we’re keeping pretty -close to shore. We can hide fast.” - -“Sure would delay us if something did blow up.” - -“It always does.” - -“You might,” said Evans after a moment, “check the lifeboat equipment.” - -Bervick laughed. “We’re being real safe, aren’t we?” - -Evans was about to say, “Better safe than sorry,” but he decided that -it sounded too neat. Instead he said, “You can’t ever tell. They -haven’t been checked for a while.” - -“O.K., I’ll take a look.” He left through the door that opened onto the -upper deck where the two lifeboats and one raft were kept. - -Evans watched the dark long point they had just passed slowly fade into -a harmless line on the water. - -Martin returned from the galley. He glanced at the barometer as he came -in. He did not comment on what he saw. - -“What’s the course?” he asked. - -Evans told him. - -“Where did Bervick go? Is he in the sack?” - -“He’s out on deck.” - -“He and the Chief were really going to town at lunch.” - -“Yeah, I don’t like that stuff. I told Bervick to stop it.” - -“You better tell the Chief, too; a lot of this mess is his fault. You -know the whole story, don’t you?” - -“Sure, I know the story. Bervick’s been weeping over it long enough. -I’m talking to the Chief, don’t worry.” - -A gust of wet wind swept through the wheelhouse as Bervick came back in. - -“Cold outside?” asked Evans. - -Bervick shook his head. “Not bad. The boats are in good shape. Water’s -still fresh in the tanks.” - -“Good.” - -Bervick walked toward his cabin. “I think I’ll turn in,” he said. - -“So will I,” Evans wrote down the course and the time and a description -of the weather in the logbook. “Get me up,” he said to Martin, “if you -see a ship or something. You got the course straight?” - -“I got it.” - -Evans went into his cabin. He took the papers off his desk so that -they would not fall on the deck if the ship should roll. He looked at -himself in the mirror and said quite loudly, “Avunculus.” - - -iii - -Major Barkison found the Chief to be good, if not particularly -intelligent, company. In the middle of the afternoon Duval had joined -the Major in the salon. They talked of New Orleans. - -“I have always felt,” said the Major, recalling in his mind the French -Quarter, “that there was no other place like New Orleans. It’s not -like New York. It is nothing like Paris.” Major Barkison had never been -to Paris but that was not really important. - -“It sure is a fine place,” said Duval. “Those women there are -something.” He winked largely at the Major who quickly agreed. - -Duval continued, “Yes, I think of those women up here all the time; -anywhere, in fact, because there’s just nothing like them anywhere.” - -“Yes,” said the Major. He changed the subject. “Of course the food is -wonderful down there; marvellous shrimp there.” - -“So do I like it. You know I used to know a girl down there who was -pretty enough to be in the pictures, and she was some lay, too. I was -just a young fellow at the time and she was maybe seventeen, eighteen -then, and we sure played around together. She was sure some woman. I -bet you can’t guess what she’s doing now?” - -“No,” said the Major, making a good mental guess. “No, I can’t guess -what she’s doing.” - -“Well, she’s got a big bar in New York and some girls on the side. I -bet she makes more money than all of us put together. I got a picture -of her here. I always carry her picture around with me. You can bet my -wife don’t like it.” The Chief pulled a worn leather wallet from his -pocket. He opened it and showed the Major a picture. - -Major Barkison smiled stiffly and looked at the heavy mulatto nude. -“Very nice,” he said. - -“You bet she is. She’s some woman.” He put away the wallet. “I’d sure -like to see her again sometime. She is some woman.” - -“She seems to be,” said the Major. - -Duval looked into space. A distant expression came over his harsh and -angular features. Barkison coughed. “Do you put into the Big Harbor -often?” he asked. - -Duval nodded, returning slowly to the present. “We stop in there once, -twice a week. That’s our regular run. It’s the most civilized place on -the Chain.” - -“Yes, I know. There seems to be an unusual number of civilians there. -What’s their status? I’ve never really looked into the problems of the -civilian population up here, that’s another department.” - -The Chief scratched himself thoughtfully. “Well, they’re just here. -That’s all I know. They work in the stores. Some were pre-war -residents. A lot of them are middle-aged women. We aren’t supposed -to have nothing to do with them. The army’s real strict.” The Chief -laughed. “But there are all kinds of ways to operate. Them girls get -pretty rich.” - -“I suppose they do. They seemed an awful-looking lot.” - -“Most of them are. There’s one that isn’t, though. She’s Norwegian. You -know the type, real blonde and clean-looking. She’s real good. We been -operating for some time now.” - -“Is that so?” The Major wondered how, as an upholder of army -regulations, he should take this. He decided he would forget it after a -while. - -“She’s gotten around a lot, of course. You know the mate. The -squarehead, Bervick.” - -The Major said he did. - -“Well, him and this girl were hitting it off pretty well until I came -along. So I give her some money and she’s like all the rest and quits -him. He acts like a big fool then. He hasn’t caught on that she’s the -kind that’ll carry on with any guy. He’s dumb that way and I got no -time for a damn fool.” - -“It seems a shame that you two shouldn’t get along better.” - -“Oh, it’s not bad. He just shoots off his mouth every now and then a -little too much. He’s a little crazy from being up here so long.” - -“I can imagine he might be. It’s hard enough on shore with a lot of -people. Must be a lot worse on a small ship.” - -Duval agreed. “It is,” he said, “but you get used to it. When you get -to be our age you don’t give much of a damn about things. You do what -you please, isn’t that right, Major?” - -Barkison nodded. He was somewhat irritated at being included in -the same age group with the Chief. There was almost twenty years’ -difference in their ages. Major Barkison tried to look youthful, less -like Wellington. He looked too old for thirty-one. - -“Well, I think I’ll go below and see if the engines are going to -hold together.” Duval gestured cheerily and walked out of the salon, -balancing himself, catlike, on the rolling deck. - -The Major got to his feet and stretched. He felt lazy and at ease. This -was the first real vacation he had had since the war began. It was good -not to be writing and reading reports and making inspections. - -He had enjoyed his visit to Andrefski Bay, though. The ATS Captain had -been a bit hard to take but the officers had been most obliging. He -had finally made out a report saying that the port should be closed -except for a small housekeeping crew. This report had naturally made -him popular with the bored men of Andrefski. - -The Major walked about the empty salon, examining the books. They -seemed as dull as ever to him. He decided he would finish reading about -Gordon. He had read little more than a page when Hodges strolled into -the salon and sat down beside him. The Major closed the book. - -“A little rougher,” commented Hodges. - -“Yes. I suppose they’ve changed course again. Have you been up in the -wheelhouse?” - -“No, I was down in the focs’le. I was talking with some of the crew.” - -“Really?” Major Barkison was not sure if this was such a good thing; as -experience, however, it might be rewarding. “What did they have to say?” - -“Oh, not so much. They were talking about an Indian who drank some -methyl alcohol the other night.” - -“Yes, I heard about that.” - -“Well, they were just talking. Same thing, or rather something very -like it, happened to his brother down in Southeastern Alaska.” - -“Is that right?” The Major played with the book on his lap. - -“He was working on a wharf on one of those rivers and he fell in. They -said he never came up again. There was a lot of thick mud under the -water and he just went down in it. People just disappear in it.” - -“Is that right?” The Major wondered if he would be sick again. The ship -was beginning to roll almost as badly as it had on the trip to the Big -Harbor. - -“I guess that must be awful,” said Hodges frowning, “to fall in the -water like that and go right down. They said there were just a few -bubbles and that was all. Must have been an awful sensation, going -down, I mean.” - -“I can imagine,” said the Major. He remembered the time he had almost -drowned in the ocean. His whole life had not passed in review through -his head; he remembered that. The only thing he had thought of was -getting out of the water. A lifeguard towed him in. - -“You know they were telling me,” said Hodges, “that there’s an old -Indian belief that if a dying man recognizes you, you will be the next -to die.” - -“That’s an interesting superstition. Did this fellow, the one who died -last night, did he recognize anyone before he died?” - -“No, as a matter of fact he was unconscious all the time.” - -“Oh.” - -Hodges tied one of his shoes thoughtfully. The Major could see he was -still thinking of the Indian. - -“What else did you hear?” asked the Major. He was always interested to -know what the men thought of their officers. Sometimes their judgments -were very shrewd. - -“Not much, they talked a lot about Evans.” - -“Do they like him?” - -“They wouldn’t really say, of course; probably not, but they think he’s -a fine seaman.” - -“That’s all that’s really important.” - -“That’s what I said. They say he married a girl in Seattle. He’d only -known her a week.” - -“How long did they live together?” - -“Around a month. He was up in Anchorage last month getting a divorce -from her.” - -“Did she ask for it?” - -“I don’t guess they know. I gather he hadn’t heard from her in the last -three years.” - -“People should be more careful about these things,” said the Major. -He, himself, had been when he married the daughter of his commanding -officer. She was a fine girl. Unfortunately her father had died soon -after they were married. They had been happy, nevertheless. - -Hodges got to his feet and said he thought he would go to the -wheelhouse. He left. The Major put his book down on the floor. He was -sleepy. There was something restful in the rocking motion of the ship. -He yawned and stretched out on the bench. - - * * * * * - -Major Barkison awoke with a start. The ship was pitching considerably. -The salon was in darkness. Outside evening and dark clouds gave a -twilight coloring to the sea and sky. - -He looked at his watch. It was four-thirty. In the galley he could hear -Smitty cursing among the clattering pots and pans. He turned on one of -the lights in the salon. The salon looked even more dismal in the pale -light. - -He picked the book up from the deck and tried to read it, but the -motion of the ship was too much for him. - -Hodges came into the salon from the after door. His face and clothes -were damp from spray; there was salt matted in his hair. His face was -flushed. - -“I’ve been out on deck, Major,” he said, slamming the door shut. -“She’s really getting rough. The Skipper told me I’d better come back -inside.” - -“Yes, it seems to be getting much rougher.” - -“I’ll say.” Hodges took off his wet parka and disappeared into the -galley. A few minutes later he was back, his face and hair dry. - -“What did Mr Evans have to say about the weather?” - -“I don’t know. He yelled to me out the window, that’s all. I was on -the front deck. So I came back in. The waves are really going over the -deck.” - -“Oh.” The Major was beginning to feel sick. - -Chaplain O’Mahoney walked into the salon from the galley. - -“Isn’t this rolling dreadful?” he said. The Major noticed that the -Chaplain was unusually pale. - -“It’s not so nice,” said Major Barkison. O’Mahoney sat down abruptly. -He was breathing noisily. “I certainly hope these waves don’t get any -larger,” he said. He ran his hand shakily over his forehead. - -“It couldn’t be much of a storm,” said the Major. “Mr Evans would have -said something about it earlier. They can tell those things before -they happen. There’s a lot of warning.” The Major was uneasy, though. -Hodges, he noticed, seemed to enjoy this. - -Major Barkison went to one of the portholes and looked out. They were -in open sea now. The island was five or six miles behind them. Waves, -gray and large, were billowing under the ship. On the distant shore he -could see great sheets of white spray as the waves broke on the sharp -rocks. A light drizzle misted the air. - -Very little wind blew. The sky was dark over the island mountains -behind them. No gulls flew overhead. A greenish light colored the air. - -“What does it look like to you?” asked Hodges. - -“Just bad weather, I guess. We’re in the open now, I see.” - -“Yes, we left the island a little after four. We’ll be near Ilak around -seven tonight.” - -“I wonder which is best in a storm: to be near shore or out like this?” - -Hodges shrugged, “Hard to tell. I like the idea of being near land. You -don’t suppose we’re going to have one of those big storms, do you?” - -“Heaven forbid!” said the Chaplain from his seat on the bench. - -“Well, if it is one I have every confidence in the Master of the ship,” -said Major Barkison, upholding vested authority from force of habit. -The idea of a storm did not appeal to him. - -“I think we should go see Evans,” said Hodges. - -The Major considered a moment. “Might not be a bad idea. We should have -some idea of what he plans to do. We might even go back to the Big -Harbor.” - -“Let’s go up, sir.” - -Hodges and the Major went into the galley. The Chaplain did not care to -go. In the galley they found Smitty groaning in a corner. He was very -sick. - -They went up the companionway to the wheelhouse. Evans, Martin and -Bervick were standing together around the chart table. Only Evans -noticed them as they entered. - -“Bad weather,” Evans announced abruptly. “The wind’s going to blow big -soon.” - -“What’s going to be done?” asked the Major. - -“Wait till we’ve figured this out.” Evans lowered his head over the -chart. Together with his mates he talked in a low voice and measured -distances. - -Major Barkison looked out the windows and found the lurid view of sky -and water terrifying. He wished that he had flown. He would have been -in Arunga by now. - -The Chief came into the wheelhouse. He spoke a moment with Evans who -waved him away. Duval came over to the Major. “Bit of a storm,” said -Duval. - -“Doesn’t look good. You know about these things, does this look -particularly bad to you?” - -“I don’t know. All storms are different. You don’t know until it’s over -just how bad it was. That sky looks awful.” - -“Quite dark. This greenish light is new to me.” - -They watched the ink-dark center of the storm, spreading behind the -white peaks of the island they had recently passed. Evans turned around -and spoke to the Chief. “Engines in good shape?” - -“That’s right.” - -“Could you get up any more speed, say thirteen knots?” - -“Not if you want to keep the starboard engine in one piece.” - -In a low voice Evans talked with Bervick. He spoke again to the Chief. -“Keep going just as you are, then. Keep pretty constant. I’m heading -for Ilak. The wind probably won’t be bad until evening. - -“If it holds off for a dozen hours or so, or if it isn’t too strong, -I’ll take her into Kulak Bay tomorrow morning. We’ll be safe in there.” -Evans spoke with authority. The Major could not help but admire his -coolness. He seemed to lack all nervousness. The Major was only too -conscious of his own nerves. - -Hodges was listening, fascinated, his dark eyes bright with excitement. -Major Barkison wished he could be as absorbed in events as young -Hodges. I have too much imagination, thought the Major sadly. He would -have to set an example, though. His rank and training demanded it. - -“What would you like us to do, Mr Evans?” he asked. - -“Keep cool. That’s about all. Stay below and stay near the crew. If -anything should go wrong, they’ll get you in the lifeboats. The chances -of this thing getting that bad are pretty slight, but we have to be -ready.” - -“I see.” - -“Is the Chaplain in the salon?” - -“Yes. I think he’s sick. Your cook is, too.” - -“I can’t help that. I’d appreciate it, Major, if you and the Lieutenant -would go below. The mate who is not on duty here will stay in the salon -with you. I’ll have him keep you posted on what’s happening.” - -“Right.” Major Barkison was relieved to see Evans had such firm control -of the situation. “We’ll go down now,” he said to Evans. - -In the salon the Chaplain was waiting for them. “What did they have to -say?” he asked. - -“Going to blow pretty hard,” the Major answered. - -The Chaplain groaned. “I suppose we must bear this,” he said at last in -a tired voice. “These things will happen.” - -Duval walked in; he looked worried. “I don’t like this so much,” he -said. - -“It does seem messy,” the Major answered, trying to sound flippant. - -“Looks like the start of a williwaw. That’s what I think it looks like. -I could be wrong.” Duval was gloomy. - -“What,” asked the Chaplain, “is a williwaw?” - -“Big northern storm. Kind of hurricane with a lot of snow. Just plain -undiluted hell. They come and go real quick, but they do a lot of -damage.” - -“I hope you’re wrong,” the Major said fervently. - -“So do I.” Duval hurried off toward his engine room. Chaplain O’Mahoney -sat quietly on the bench. Hodges watched the big waves through the -porthole. - -Major Barkison said, “I think I’ll go to my cabin. If anybody wants -me, tell them I’m there. I’m going to try to sleep a little.” This -was bluff and he knew it sounded that way, but somehow he felt better -saying it. - -He opened the after door and stepped out on the stern. The ship was -rocking violently and he had trouble keeping his footing. The wind was -damp and cold. He waited for the ship to sink down between two waves, -then, quickly, he ran along the deck toward the bow and his cabin. - -A wall of gray water sprang up beside him, then in a moment it was gone -and the ship was on the crest of a wave. He slipped on the sea-wet -deck, but caught himself on the railing. As they sank down again into -another sea-valley, he reached the door to his cabin. He went inside -and slammed the door shut as spray splashed against it. - -He stood for a moment in the wood-and-salt-smelling darkness. Great -shudders shook him. Nerves, he thought. He switched on the light. - -Water, he noticed, was trickling in through the porthole. He fastened -it tight. More water was trickling under the door from the deck. He -could do nothing about that. - -Major Barkison took off his parka and lay down on his bunk. He was -beginning to feel sick to his stomach. He hoped he would not become -sick now. - -If the ship went up on the crest of a wave within the count of three.... - -Outside the wind started to blow, very lightly at first. - - - - -_Chapter Four_ - - -i - -Bervick sat on a tall stool by the window, his legs braced against the -bulkhead. The ship groaned and creaked as she was tossed from wave to -hollow to wave again. - -Evans stood near the wheelsman. He watched the compass. They were -having trouble keeping on course, for with each large wave they were -thrown several degrees off. - -“Keep her even,” said Evans. - -“It’s pretty hard....” A wave crashed over their bow, spray flooded the -windows for a moment. They were swung ten degrees to starboard. - -“Hard to port,” said Evans, holding tightly onto the railing. - -The man whirled the wheel until they were again on course. - -“Pretty hard, isn’t it?” Bervick looked over at Evans. - -“Not easy. Pitching like hell.” - -“Why not get her on electric steering?” - -“Might break. Then where’d we be?” - -“Right here.” - -Evans stood by the compass. He knew they could not afford to be even -a few degrees off their course. Ilak was a small island, and if they -should miss it.... Evans did not like to think of what might happen -then. - -He wished the storm would begin soon if it were going to begin at all. -Waiting for the big wind was a strain, and there was no sign of the -wind yet. Only the sea was becoming larger. - -The sky was still dark where the heart of the storm was gathered. Dirty -white snow clouds stretched bleakly in the damp almost windless air. -The strange green light was starting to fade into the storm and evening -darkness. Gray twenty-foot waves rolled smoothly under them, lifting -them high and then dropping them down into deep troughs. - -Evans noticed the man at the wheel was pale. - -“What’s the matter?” he asked. “You feeling the weather?” - -“A little bit. I don’t know why.” - -“You been drinking too much of that swill at the Big Harbor.” - -“I didn’t have so much.” The man spoke weakly. There were small drops -of sweat on his forehead. - -“You better get some air,” said Evans. “I’ll take her.” - -Quickly the man went to one of the wheelhouse windows, opened it, -and leaned out. Evans took the wheel. He could get the feel of the -ship when he was steering. He liked to take the wheel. Each time -they descended into a trough they would be thrown several degrees -off course. He would straighten them out as they reached the next -wave-crest, then the same thing would happen again. It was not easy to -keep the ship even. - -“How’s it feel?” Bervick asked. - -“Fine. We’re going to be knocked around a bit before we’re through. May -have to lash the wheel in place.” - -Spray splattered the windows of the wheelhouse. Salt water streamed -down the glass making salt patterns as it went. Evans tried to make out -land ahead of them, but the mist was too thick on the water. They were -in the open sea now. Somehow Evans felt very alone, as though he were -standing by himself in a big empty room. That was a favorite nightmare -of his: the empty room. He would often dream that he had walked into -this place expecting to find someone, but no one was ever there. Then -he would dream that he was falling; after that he would wake up. Once -in Anchorage a girl he had spent the night with told him that he had -talked in his sleep. He told her his dream; she never dreamed, though, -and could not understand. - -Evans let his mind drift. Anything to keep from thinking of the coming -storm. That was a bad thing about storms: you could not really get -ready for one. Once you knew a storm was coming all you could do was -wait and deal with it when it came. - -He wondered what would be said if he lost the ship. He could hear the -Captain at Andrefski saying, “I knew all along that guy Evans would -crack up. I told him not to go.” People were all alike that way. Make -a mistake, or even have some bad luck and they’ll say that they knew -it was going to happen all along. People were all alike, thought Evans -gloomily. He felt like a drink. He would not let himself have one, -though. He would have to be able to think quickly. His stomach was -already fluttering as he waited. - -Evans looked over at the man on watch. He was still leaning out the -window, his shoulders heaving. At last he turned around. He was pale -but seemed relieved. “I guess I’m O.K. now,” he said. - -Evans stepped away from the wheel. “You sure you’re not going to get -sick again?” - -“Yeah, I’m all right.” The man took the wheel. Evans gave him the -course. Then Evans walked to the port side where Bervick sat watching -the water. He was daydreaming. His eyes were fixed on the sea. - -In silence they looked out the windows. Except for an occasional sound -of creaking from the bow, there was no sound to be heard in the ship. -The wheelhouse was getting too warm, Evans thought. He unbuttoned his -shirt. His hands shook a little as he did. This annoyed him. - -“Getting warm, Skipper?” - -“It’s too hot in here. The Chief’s really got the heat going fine. When -we really need it in port he breaks something.” - -“Engine rooms are always like that. I’m glad I’m not an engineer.” - -The clock struck three bells. Evans looked at his watch. He always did -that when the clock struck. - -“When do you figure we’ll be off Ilak?” Bervick asked. - -“Just about two hours. Just about seven-thirty.” - -Bervick scratched his long hair thoughtfully. “I don’t think this -thing’s going to blow up for a while.” - -“I don’t either. We better just hope that we’re near a good bay when it -does. I expect well get the big wind tonight. It’s taking a long time -getting here.” - -“That’s what I like.” Bervick looked at the black unchanging storm -center. “Maybe we’ll miss the whole thing.” - -Evans smiled. “No chance, bucko, we’ll get all of it. Right in the -teeth, that’s where we’re going to get it.” - -“I wish I never left the Merchant Marine.” - -“You got a hard life.” - -“That’s what I think.” - -“Don’t we all.” Evans made his mouth smile again. He tried to be casual. - -His ex-wife would get his insurance, he thought suddenly. He remembered -that he had not changed it from her name to his family’s. He chuckled -to himself. Everyone would be surprised. She would be surprised to get -it; his family would be furious for not getting it. His father had four -other sons and an unproductive farm. The insurance would be useful to -them. He had not seen his family for seven years but sometimes they -wrote to him. His mother always wrote. She was an educated woman but -his father had never learned to read or write. He never felt there was -much advantage in it. Evans thought of his family. His mind raced from -person to person. He tried to recall how each of them looked. This was -a good game that he often played with himself. It kept his mind off -things that were bothering him, off storms, for instance. - -Evans thought of his wife. She was a nice girl. If he had met her at -any other time than during a war they might have been happy. He did not -know her very well, though. He could not decide whether their marriage -would have been any good or not. He wondered what she was doing now and -where she was. He felt rather sad that he had not had time to know her -better. There were others, of course. There was consolation in that. - -A wave, larger than the rest, hit violently across their bow. Evans -staggered and almost fell. Bervick and his stool were upset and Bervick -was thrown heavily on the deck. He stood up swearing. - -“How did it feel?” asked Evans. - -“Guess.” Bervick limped across the wheelhouse and got the stool again. -He placed it in one corner under the railing. He did not sit down -again. “Waves getting larger,” he said. - -“We haven’t seen nothing,” said Evans. He looked at the compass. “Get -on course,” he said sharply. They were a dozen degrees off. - -“O.K., O.K.,” the wheelsman was beginning to sound a little desperate. -He had not been at sea long. - -Evans went back to his corner. He tried to recall what he had been -thinking about, but his train of thought had been shattered. Only -fragments were left to trouble him. - -He looked at the forward deck. It had never looked so clean. The -constant spray had made the gray-blue deck glisten. The door to the -focs’le opened and a swarthy face appeared. The fat cook looked out at -the slippery deck. Carefully the fat cook stepped up on the deck. A -small wave hit the bow. He tried to get back in the focs’le but he was -too slow. The wave threw him against the railing. Struggling, he was -floating aft. Evans could see him, soaking wet, get to his feet at last -and disappear in the direction of the galley. - -“Some sailor, the cook,” remarked Bervick. - -“He’s some cook, too. He can burn water.” - -The wheelhouse door opened and Martin joined them. His face showed no -particular expression. He seemed to be unaware of the storm. He glanced -at the barometer. - -“A little lower,” he remarked. - -Evans looked at it, too. “Yes, the thing’s fallen some more.” He went -to the chart table and recorded the barometer’s reading in the logbook. - -“When’s the wind going to start?” Martin asked. - -“Can’t tell yet, John,” Bervick said. “Around midnight, that’s my -guess.” - -“How’re the passengers?” asked Evans. - -“They’re pretty bothered. The Chaplain’s sick as a dog.” - -“Where’d the Major go when he left here?” - -“He went to his cabin. I guess he’s in the sack.” - -Evans frowned. “I wanted them to stay in the salon. You should have -kept them there. Suppose he comes walking down the deck and a wave -knocks him overboard?” - -“That’s an act of God,” snapped Martin. For some reason Evans was -pleased to have irritated his Mate. “Besides,” Martin added, “he’d -already gone when I went below.” - -“Well, when you go down again get him back in the salon. What’s Hodges -doing?” - -“He thinks it’s a game.” - -“I’m glad somebody’s having a good time.” Evans leaned against the -bulkhead. The ship was not pitching quite so much now. The wind, what -there was of it, was probably shifting. He remembered his insurance -again. He wished he had taken care of it before they left. “Leave -nothing undone and nothing begun,” a Warrant Officer in Anchorage had -told him. The words had a nice sound to them. They were also true. - -“I’ve never been in a williwaw,” remarked Martin. - -Evans glanced at him. He did not like to hear a storm described aloud -in advance. Evans had a complicated system of beliefs. If some things -were mentioned before they happened they would take place exactly -as mentioned. He never said much about bad weather before it broke. -He would never have said this was going to be a williwaw. That was -predicting, not guessing. - -“Weren’t you aboard that time we was off Umnak?” asked Bervick. - -Martin shook his head. “I was having some teeth fixed. I missed that -show.” - -“I guess you did at that. You’ll make up for that now.” - -“I suppose I will.” - -A thirty-foot wave swept them amidships. The wheelhouse creaked as the -salt water cascaded over them. Martin stumbled. The stool rolled across -the deck. The man at the wheel lost his grip; the wheel spun around. -Evans grabbed it quickly. His right arm felt as if it had been ripped -off. With a great deal of trouble he got the ship on course again. - -“You hang on this,” he said to the wheelsman. “When you being relieved?” - -“In a half-hour.” - -“Well, keep holding it tight. We don’t want to wander all over this -damned ocean.” - -“Pretty good-sized wave,” said Bervick. - -“Yeah, and there’re more where that came from.” Evans was breathing -hard. The struggle with the wheel had tired him. His arm ached. He -flexed it carefully. - -“Get your arm?” Bervick was watching him. - -“Just about pulled the thing off.” Evans went to the window and leaned -on the sill. The wave that had just hit them was a freak one, for the -sea was not as high as it had been. The wind definitely seemed to be -shifting. The sky was becoming darker. There was snow ahead. - -Martin left them, and went below. Absently Evans rubbed his arm; it -hurt him. He watched the water and waited for the big wind to come. - - -ii - -Duval walked into the galley. He was hungry and, bad weather or not, he -did not like to miss too many meals. - -Several members of the crew were playing cards at the galley table. -They were taking the storm casually. They pretended not to be -interested in what was happening outside. - -The ship rocked violently. Heavy coffee mugs slid back and forth on the -galley table. Smitty sat in a corner of the galley, his chin on his -knees. From time to time he would groan. The fat cook, in salt-soaked -clothes, opened cans. - -Duval took a can of hash out of the locker. The ship rolled suddenly, -slanting the deck. He stumbled across the galley and sat down on the -bench with the others. - -“Lousy, isn’t it?” commented one of them. - -“Just a little blow, that’s all. You’ve never seen nothing till you’ve -seen a tropical hurricane. This stuff up here is nothing like that. -This is a breeze.” - -“Sure, we heard that one before, Chief.” - -“That’s the truth.” The Chief put food into his mouth. He had not -realized how hungry he was. The fat cook poured him coffee. - -The men talked about the Big Harbor and other things. They did not -speak of the storm which was beginning. They spoke of the Indian who -had died at the Big Harbor. Everyone told the story differently and -Duval was bored to hear the story again. He had never liked Aleuts -anyway. He looked at Smitty in the corner. - -“What’s the matter with you?” he asked. - -“This water.” Smitty cursed for several moments. “This the last trip I -ever make. I seen everything now. I’m getting off this boat, I’m going -back fast. We ain’t never getting out of this.” His dirt-colored hands -gestured limply. The others laughed. - -“Take it easy, Smitty,” said the Chief. “You going to live forever.” -Smitty said nothing. - -Duval chuckled. He was not frightened by bad weather. He had seen so -many storms and he did have confidence in Evans. Duval was not worried. - -The men talked of the Big Harbor and of all the things they had done. - -“Say, Chief,” said one, “did you see Olga?” - -“Sure I saw her. I always see her. Anybody with money can see her.” - -The man laughed. “I guess Bervick isn’t feeling so good today.” - -“He takes life too seriously,” said the Chief and that was all he would -say. - -Hodges came into the galley from the salon. - -“What’ve you been up to, Lieutenant?” asked Duval, genially. - -“I’ve been wandering around the boat. I’ve never seen waves as big as -they are outside. They must be over fifty feet.” - -“Not quite that big but they will be pretty soon.” Duval closed his -eyes for a moment. He had found that closing his eyes for a moment -or so was very restful. It soothed him to do this. He was not at all -worried, of course. - -The light from the electric bulb overhead shone on his eyelids, and -he could see nothing but red with his eyes shut, a warm clear red. He -thought of the colorful bayou land of Louisiana. Usually he did not -care where he was, but he did like color and there was no color in the -Aleutians, only light and shadow on rock and water. The Chief opened -his eyes. - -Hodges was biting his thumbnail. The Chief watched him. He wondered -what he might have done if he had been as well educated as Hodges. -Probably the same things. Life was about the same for all people; only -the details varied. - -“I hear they expect the big wind around midnight,” said Hodges. - -“That’s what Evans says. He don’t know, though. He guesses just like -the rest of us do. We guess, we all guess and most of the time we’re -wrong.” The Chief enjoyed discrediting Evans occasionally. - -“Well, it should be some sight. I’m glad I’ll be able to see it.” One -of the deckhands laughed. - -“You won’t like it so much,” said Duval. “Even though these blows up -here aren’t nothing compared to what we used to have in the Gulf.” The -crew laughed. Anything that could keep their minds away from the coming -storm was good. - -“What’s happened to the Chaplain?” asked Duval. - -“He’s in the salon. I expect he’s feeling bad. He doesn’t take to this -sea business at all.” - -“I suppose I’d better go see how he is.” Carefully Duval got to his -feet and walked across the deck. He slipped once and swore to himself -as he did. His balance wasn’t as steady as it had once been. - -Chaplain O’Mahoney was sitting at the galley table, his jaw set and his -face white. He was playing solitaire. He looked up as they came in and -he managed to smile. - -“I suppose it will be worse,” he said. - -Duval nodded. - -“That’s what I expected.” - -“This’ll really be something to tell our grandchildren,” said Hodges -cheerfully. The Chaplain laughed. - -“Something to tell _your_ grandchildren,” he said. - -“If you ever live to have any,” remarked Duval. - -They sat together around the table, each thinking of the storm. Duval -watched the Chaplain’s hands. They were white and plump and helpless. -The Chaplain, Duval thought, could not have fixed a valve or even -changed a sparkplug in a car. Of course the Chaplain knew many things. -He could speak Latin, and Duval was impressed by Latin and the Church -rituals. O’Mahoney’s soft hands could give blessings and that was an -important thing. Perhaps it made no difference that his hands were not -practical. - -“Are you Catholic?” asked O’Mahoney, turning to Hodges. - -The Lieutenant shook his head. “No, we’re Episcopal down home.” - -“Indeed? I have known some very fine Episcopal ministers, very fine -ones.” - -“We’ve got a lot of them down home, ministers I mean.” - -“I should suppose so. I knew some before I went into the monastery.” - -“What’s a monastery like, sir?” - -“Just like anything like that would be. Just the way you’d expect it to -be. Perhaps a little like the army.” - -“It must be queer, being so out of things.” - -“One’s not so far out of the world. There is certainly nothing harder -than living in close quarters with a group of people.” - -“I thought it was supposed to be a kind of escape.” - -“Certainly not. We have more time to think about the world. Of course, -we do own nothing, and that makes life much simpler. Most people spend -all their lives thinking of possessions.” - -“I suppose you’re right,” said Hodges. Duval did not listen as they -talked. Instead he walked restlessly about the salon. - -Through the after door he watched the white wake foaming. The wind -appeared confused: blowing from first one direction and then shifting -to another. There was snow in the clouds overhead. - -The ship was tossed about like a stick in a river current. But somehow -they managed to keep on course. The Chief tried not to think of this. -He thought instead of a gauge on the starboard engine, but even that -was too close to the storm. He turned and went back to the Chaplain and -Hodges. Religious talk was soothing if nothing else. - -He asked O’Mahoney about his monastery. O’Mahoney was happy to talk of -it. - -“A very simple place. There’s really not much to tell. We all have our -different jobs.” - -“What sort of work did you do?” asked Hodges. - -“Well, I was in charge of the novices. Those are the beginners, the -apprentices.” - -“Sounds like a First Sergeant’s job,” said Hodges. - -“Very much the same. I wish,” said the Chaplain wistfully, “that I was -back in Maryland now.” - -“So do I,” agreed Duval. “In New Orleans, I mean. I’m tired of this -place.” - -“We all are, but here we are. You have a wife, I suppose, in New -Orleans?” - -“Yes, I got a wife and two kids. We lost a new one two years ago. I -guess she was too old to be having kids.” - -“Such a pity, your child dying.” - -“One of those things, they happen all the time. I saw the kid only once -so it wasn’t so bad.” - -The Chief sat down beside the Chaplain. Duval reached in his pocket -and took out a knife. Carefully he whittled his fingernails. He -concentrated on what he was doing. He would think of nothing else for a -while. - -Suddenly the ship lurched and Duval was thrown off the bench. His knife -clattered on the deck. - -He got to his feet quickly. The Chaplain was holding onto the bench -with both hands, his face very white. Hodges was braced against a -table. Duval looked down at his hand, conscious of a sharp pain: he -had cut one of his fingers and it was bleeding. He waved his hand -in the air to cool away the pain. Bright red blood in a thin stream -trickled down his hand. The waving did not help. He stuck his finger in -his mouth. - -“You’d better get a bandage on that,” said O’Mahoney helpfully. - -“Yes,” agreed Hodges. “That’s dangerous, cutting yourself.” - -“I know, I’ll fix it. You people better hang around here until Evans -decides what to do. You might get the Major up.” Holding his finger in -the air, Duval went quickly down the companionway and into his engine -room. - -His two assistants were sitting beside the engines. They wore dirty -dungarees and thin shirts; it was hot in the engine room. One of the -oilers crouched in a corner. He had come aboard only the week before. -Fumes from the oil, as well as the motion of the ship, had made him -sick. - -The two assistants, however, had been in this engine room in all sorts -of weather for several years. They sat now under the bright electric -lights and read much-handled magazines about Hollywood. - -The Chief went aft to his stateroom in the stern. Carefully he wrapped -a piece of gauze about his finger and then he tied the ends of the -gauze into a neat bow. When he had finished he sat down on his bunk. He -had always hated the sight of blood. He closed his eyes and took a deep -and shaky breath. His heart was pounding furiously. - -The first assistant came into the cabin. - -“What’s the matter, Chief?” - -“Not a thing.” Duval sat up straight and opened his eyes. “Cut my -finger, that’s all. How’s that starboard engine sounding?” - -“She sounds O.K., she’s going to be O.K.” The man leaned against the -bulkhead. He was stout and red-headed and a good mechanic. He came from -Seattle. - -“Say, what’s this I hear that there’s going to be a big wind soon? Is -that right?” - -“I expect so. Evans don’t seem so bothered but the barometer’s gone -down low. Going to have a williwaw.” - -“It must be blowing hard outside. We been feeling it rock pretty bad -but that’s not new on this run. Maybe I ought to go up and take a -look.” The assistants seldom left the engine room. Several times they -had gone through bad storms and had not known it until later. Even -violent pitching and tossing did not alarm them. - -“The wind ain’t too bad yet. Blowing maybe sixty, maybe more. It’s not -coming from anywhere certain yet. The sea’s big, though.” - -“Think we’ll anchor somewhere?” - -“I don’t know. That guy Evans never tells us anything and I’m sure not -going to ask him anything. Yes, I guess we’ll anchor in Ilak.” - -“Well, it won’t be the first time we had to anchor in like that.” - -“No, it won’t be the first time.” - -Duval fingered the blue and white bedspread his wife had made for him -and, fingering it, he thought of Olga. He hoped they would spend more -time in the Big Harbor on the trip back. - -“What did you do last night?” he asked. - -His first assistant shrugged. “I didn’t do so much. Got tight, that’s -all.” - -“Too bad. Did you see that squarehead Bervick last night?” - -“I saw him for a little while. He was in the Anchorage Inn. He was with -old Angela. She’s sure a fat woman.” - -Duval chuckled. “Serves him right. He was trying to sew up Olga. -He wasn’t so smart about it. She’d come running if he didn’t keep -bothering her about the others she sees. After all she’s got to make -some money, like everybody else.” - -“I heard that one before.” His assistant laughed. “She’s a fair looking -girl, Olga is.” - -“She certainly is.” Duval looked at his finger. He examined the bandage -closely to see if the blood was seeping through. He was relieved to see -it was not. “Let’s take a look around,” he said. - -“O.K., Chief.” - -They went back to the engine room. The other assistant was reading his -magazine. He sat, teetering his chair with each lunge of the ship. -Duval walked between the engines, checking the gauges and listening for -trouble. Everything appeared in order. He switched on the hold pumps. -When they were in a big sea the hold leaked badly; there was a leak -somewhere but no one had ever found it. - -Duval was pleased. If anything should happen to the ship now it would -be Evans’ fault. The Chief did not like to take the blame for anything -and in that he was quite normal. - -He glanced at the oiler in the corner. For a moment he wondered if he -should get him some ammonia or something because he looked so ill. He -decided not to; when you were seasick you liked to be alone. - -“Everything looks fine,” he said to his assistants. Then he went aft -again to his stateroom, carefully examining his bandage for signs of -fresh blood. - - -iii - -The night was dark. Off the port side Martin could barely make out the -coastline of Ilak. Since seven-thirty they had been searching for the -place where Evans intended to anchor. - -Martin stood close to the window. He could hear waves crashing loudly -on the near-by shore. The wind was increasing and the sea was becoming -larger. He held tightly to the railing, his stomach fell dizzily as -they sank into an unusually deep trough. - -Evans had taken the wheel himself and the man on watch stood beside -him ready to help in case the wheel should get out of control. Bervick -stood by the chart table. From time to time he would call out their -position. - -The wheelhouse was dark except for dimmed lights in the binnacle and -over the chart table. Martin could hear the wind howling around the -corners of the wheelhouse. It sounded seventy or eighty miles an hour, -and this, according to Evans, was just the start. - -Martin made a quick dash for the chart table. - -“When’ll we get there?” he asked. - -Bervick did not look up. “Ten minutes and we should be abeam.” - -“What’s that?” Evans asked, his voice pitched high above the wind. - -“We’re getting close, that’s all. That inlet you’re looking for. Two -miles away, as I figure.” - -“Good.” Evans motioned to the man on watch who quickly took the wheel. -Then Evans opened a window on the port side. A tremendous roar of wind -and breaking water exploded into the wheelhouse. Spray splattered in -Evans’ face as he watched the coastline. - -Martin and Bervick went over and stood near him. Less than a mile ahead -Martin could see a long spit of high rock pointing out into the sea. -“That it?” he asked. - -Bervick nodded. “Just around the corner there. Nice deep bay.” - -“All right,” said Evans, speaking to the man at the wheel. “Bring her -to port, five degrees. Ring Stand By, Mate.” - -Martin skidded across the deck. He rang the engine room several times -on the telegraph. Then he set the markers on Stand By. - -They waited for the Chief to answer. Two minutes passed and then the -Chief rang back. He was ready. - -“Half Speed Ahead,” said Evans. - -Martin set the markers on Half Speed. The ship’s vibration changed. -Waves which had once crashed against them now lifted the ship easily -onto their crests. - -Evans turned to Martin. - -“Go below and get some of the crew. Be ready to anchor when I give -the word. When we get out of the wind you and your men go out on the -forward deck and stand by.” - -“Right.” Martin went quickly below. The idea of going out on deck in -this weather did not appeal to him. Someone had to do it, though. - -He gathered two deckhands in the galley. They cursed loudly but he knew -they were glad to be anchoring. - -Then, the ship having rounded the point, they went outside on the -forward deck. Martin was almost thrown off his feet by a gust of wind. -Though somewhat protected by the hills, they were not yet completely -out of the storm. The wind was cold and penetrating. It chilled him, -even through his heavy parka. Water whipped their faces. The deck was -dangerously slick and the ship still pitched badly. On hands and knees, -their eyes barely open and smarting from the salt, they wormed their -way forward to the bow and the anchor winches. - -They reached the bow. Martin got to his feet, holding tightly onto the -tarpaulin which covered the winch. The other two did the same. Luckily -they knew their job so well that he would not have to make himself -heard over the sea-thunder. - -The deckhands swiftly slipped the tarpaulin off the winch. Martin stood -beside the lever which operated the anchor. The other two stood ready -to knock the brakes from the chain. - -He watched as the ship skirted the teethlike rocks and headed into a -small bay. Dark mountains stood large against the sky. The bay itself -was less than a mile wide and perhaps a little more than a mile deep. -Mountains rimmed it on three sides. - -Abruptly the ship stopped pitching. They were out of the wind at last. -Inside this bay there was neither wind nor a large sea. - -Evans leaned out of the wheelhouse window and waved. - -“Let her go,” said Martin. - -There was a loud clanging and then the metallic sound of falling chain -as the freed anchor dropped into the water. The ship drifted slowly. -Evans had stopped the engines. - -Patiently Martin waited for the tug which would tell them the anchor -was secured in the sea-floor. The ship glided ahead softly, cutting the -small waves as it moved shoreward: a slight jolt and the ship stopped; -rocking slightly, she began to circle about. - -“Anchor’s holding,” shouted Martin. Evans waved and shut the wheelhouse -window. Martin and the deckhands went back to the galley. - -Martin stood before the galley range and tried to warm himself. Water -had seeped through his shirt to his skin and he was completely wet. He -could not remember when he had been so cold. The two men who had been -out on deck with him were also shivering. - -He slipped off his parka and shirt and then he rubbed himself in front -of the stove. His teeth chattered as he began to get warm again. - -“Going to be here long, Mate?” asked one of the men. - -“We’ll probably leave at dawn. Wind should let up then.” - -“Getting better then?” - -“Yes,” said Martin, knowing it was not getting better. “Storm should be -over by morning.” - -“That’s good.” The men talked a while longer. Then they went to the -focs’le. In his corner Smitty began to stir. Groaning, he got to his -feet and walked over to the range and poured himself some coffee. - -“You feel bad?” Martin asked. - -“You bet I feel bad.” Smitty walked unsteadily away. - -Martin sat down for a moment. He was tired, more tired than usual. -Lately it seemed that he was always tired. He wondered if something was -wrong with him. Perhaps he should see a doctor and get sent back to the -States. - -Everything was quiet, he noticed gratefully. It seemed that there had -been nothing but noise since they left the Big Harbor that morning. - -“Say, Martin.” He turned around and saw Evans standing in the door. -“Come on out and help me nest the boom. Somebody didn’t do a very good -job when we left.” This remark was meant for him and if he had not been -so weary he would have snapped back; the effort, however, was too great. - -“Sure, sure,” Martin said. - -On the forward deck the wind was direct but not strong. Small waves -slapped the sides of the ship. The hills seemed peaceful and only a -faraway roar reminded them of the storm. - -They stood beside the mast, Evans absently twisting a wet rope. “I’ll -go up top,” he said finally. “You let the boom down.” He walked away. A -few moments later Evans appeared on top of the wheelhouse. - -“Let her down easy,” he shouted. - -Martin let the boom descend slowly into place. He had to admire the -quickness with which Evans lashed the mast secure. - -“O.K.,” said Evans and he disappeared. - -Bemused by the quiet, Martin walked back to the stern. He stood a while -watching the mountains. He noticed that the side of one sharp peak -seemed oddly blurred. It was the snow being ripped off the mountains by -the wind. In the daylight it was a wonderful sight. - -He walked slowly into the salon. His watch started at midnight. He -would sleep on one of the salon benches until then. He was tired. - - * * * * * - -A few minutes after twelve Martin was awakened by Evans. - -“Your watch,” said Evans. “I’m going to get some sleep. If anything -looks bad, get me up.” - -“Sea still high outside?” - -Evans nodded. His eyes looked sunken, Martin noticed, and his lids were -red. - -“We’ll leave around sunup if we do leave, that right?” - -“That’s right,” said Evans. “We’ll leave in the morning.” - -They went up to the wheelhouse. Evans went to his cabin. Martin and the -men on watch stood silently in the pale light of the wheelhouse. They -listened to the sea. - -“Think the radio will work, Mate?” - -“We can find out.” Martin turned the radio on. A blast of static -thundered out at them. “I guess not,” said Martin and he turned it off. - -He noticed the barometer was still low. He recorded the time and the -barometer reading in the logbook. - -“I’m going below for a while,” he said. - -Outside on deck there was little wind and the dark night was serene. -He glanced at the higher mountains; the wind was still violent, for -snow was blurring the peaks. He went toward the bow and down into the -focs’le. - -It was warm inside the focs’le and the lights were burning brightly. -Bunks in two tiers lined the bulkheads. Some of the men were sleeping; -others sat on their bunks and talked. In the middle of the deck the -ship’s dog was licking a bone. - -The men who were awake looked up as Martin came down the ladder. - -“How’s it going, Mate?” - -“Fine. The bulkheads sweating much?” - -“I’ll say they are.” The man who spoke brushed his hand over the wood. -“Look,” he said. Beads of water clung to his fingers. - -“That’s pretty lousy,” said Martin. “At least it’s not cold in here.” - -“Well, if it was we’d all be dead. This is the dampest boat I was -ever on.” The others agreed. Martin sat down on an empty bunk and -looked around. The focs’le was even sloppier than normal. It was, of -course, bad most of the time and nothing could be done about it. Evans -had tried to do something with no success. He had only made himself -unpopular with the men. - -Clothes littered the deck and the bunks were unmade. Old shoes and -much-gnawed bones had been hidden in the corners by the dog. Martin -could see why Evans hated dogs, especially on ships. - -None of these things were important now, though. Nothing, except -getting out of the storm, was important. - -“I wonder how she’s blowing outside?” remarked a deckhand. - -“Ought to be hitting a hundred about now,” answered another. “What do -you think, Mate?” - -“I hope it’s a hundred. If it is that means the storm’ll be over by -morning. They don’t last so long, these storms.” - -“That’s what I say.” - -The men spoke together in low voices. Martin examined the pin-up -pictures that plastered the bulkheads. Whenever he thought of his army -career he thought of these pictures first. Somehow they almost never -changed no matter where he was. These pictures and the radio, those -were the two constant things. Occasionally there was no radio but the -pictures were always there: half-dressed girls, in mysteriously lighted -bedclothes, promising sex. - -He thought of the three years he had spent in the army, and, of those -years, only a few things stood out in his memory: certain songs that -were popular when he had left for overseas, the waiting in line for -almost everything.... The rest of his army career came to him only as a -half-feeling of discomfort. - -The dog, he noticed, was chewing his shoe. He grabbed the animal by the -muzzle and pushed it away. - -He got up. “See you,” he remarked at large and he began to climb the -ladder that led to the forward deck. - -“See you, Mate.” - -Major Barkison sat at a table in the salon, a stack of writing paper in -front of him. - -“Good evening, sir,” said Martin. - -“Good evening. Things seem a bit quieter now.” - -“Yes, we’ll be able to get some sleep.” - -“I’m glad to hear that. I never thought the sea could get so rough.” -The Major contemplated the fountain pen in his hand. “I was,” he -confided, “quite sick.” - -“I’m sorry. You should have let us know, we’ve got some stuff to take -care of that.” - -“Have you really? I felt so terrible that I couldn’t get out of my -bunk. I’ve never seen such jumping around. Does this sort of thing -happen often?” - -“Not too often, thank God.” - -“It was quite enough.” The Major stroked his bald brow. The veins stood -out on his hand. Martin hoped the Major had nothing seriously wrong -with him. It was one of Martin’s nightmares that someone should have -appendicitis or something like that aboard ship when they would be -unable to help. Such things had happened before on other ships. - -“I’ve been doing a little letter writing,” the Major explained, -pointing to the papers. “I can really get caught up on a trip like -this.” - -“Would you like some coffee, Major?” - -“Why yes, very much.” - -Martin went into the galley and poured two cups from the pot which -always sat, warming, on the stove. He brought the cups back into the -salon and set them down on the table. - -The Major grunted his thanks. They drank the dark and bitter liquid. -Martin warmed his hands on the coffee mug. His hands were cold and -stiff from climbing the focs’le ladder without gloves. - -“Tell me, Mr Martin,” said the Major finally, “do you feel ... I know -it’s a tactless question, in fact an unethical question to ask ... but -do you feel that Mr Evans is ... well, quite capable of handling this -situation?” - -Martin smiled to himself. “Yes, Major. I have a lot of faith in Evans; -when it comes to sailoring he’s one of the best seamen up here.” - -“I’m very glad to hear you say that. I should never have asked, of -course. But the situation being as it is, well, I thought it best to -get your opinion.” - -“I quite understand.” - -“I hope you’ll regard my question as confidential, Mr Martin.” - -“I certainly shall.” - -“Thank you.” The Major sighed and sketched cartoons of sinking ships on -a piece of paper. - -“The Chaplain gone to bed?” asked Martin. - -“I expect so. I haven’t seen him for several hours.” - -“It looks like the old jinx is at work again.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“Well, every time we carry a Chaplain we have a bad storm.” - -“O’Mahoney must be a potential Bishop if one goes by results,” -commented the Major. - -Martin laughed. “He’s done pretty well so far.” - -The Major played with his pen a moment. “Where,” asked Martin, “do you -expect to be stationed after the war, sir?” - -“Well, I should like Tacoma, naturally, but I think I’ll be sent to -Washington, D.C. A tour of duty there is worth more than a lifetime of -field work.” - -“I’ve always heard that.” - -“It is not,” said the Major wisely, “what you know, it is who you know.” - -“You certainly are right.” - -“Yes, that’s the way it is.” They pondered this great truth in silence. -Martin finally got to his feet. - -“I hope you’ll feel better tomorrow, Major. We’ll leave in the morning; -it should be calm by then.” - -“I hope so, good night.” - -“Good night.” Martin walked slowly through the galley. The lights were -still on. He snapped them off. Then he walked out on deck. - -A pleasant breeze cooled his face. Water lapped quietly against the -sides of the ship. The night sky was black. In another forty-eight -hours, if all went well, they would be in Arunga. - -As he stood there many dramatic speeches came to Martin. Plays he had -read or had seen on the stage, came to him. The rolling periods of the -Elizabethans flowed through him like water in a rock channel. He always -enjoyed these moments when he could think of words and voices speaking -words. - -He walked about on the deck. He stood by the railing on the port side -and breathed the clean air. In these islands there was no odor of earth -and vegetation in the wind, only the scent of salt and stone. He raised -his head and looked at the mountains. The snow still whirled seaward. - - - - -_Chapter Five_ - - -i - -Morning. - -Evans walked into the wheelhouse. He had slept unusually well. As a -rule he stayed awake during bad weather, but this time he had really -slept and he was glad that he had. - -Bervick, whose watch it was, stood looking at the barometer. - -“What do you think, Skipper?” - -Evans looked at the barometer: still low, there had been almost no -change overnight. - -“I think there must be something wrong with the thing. You seen them -act up before, haven’t you?” - -Bervick agreed. “They can be wrong. It looks fine outside.” Evans -went over to the window. There was little light in the sky, but the -pre-sunrise stillness was good. Even in the mountains there was no wind. - -“What do you think, Skipper?” - -“I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it. I don’t know.” Evans felt -suddenly inadequate. He wished that he did not have to make this -decision. He wondered for a moment what would happen if he got into -his bunk and refused to get out. When he was very young he had often -had a feeling like that: to lie down somewhere and not move and let -unpleasant things take care of themselves. - -“I suppose,” he said finally, “seeing as how the wind has died down, I -suppose we should take a chance.” - -“We’ll make a dash for Kulak if anything goes wrong.” - -Evans went to the chart table. Mentally he computed distances and -positions. “We’ll take a chance,” he repeated. “Get Martin up.” - -Bervick went into his cabin; he came out, a moment later, with Martin. - -“Bervick,” said Evans, “you take some men out on deck and get ready to -weigh anchor. Martin, you go on down and see how the passengers are -doing. Talk to the Chief and tell him we’re leaving right away. We want -to get to Arunga tomorrow night.” - -Martin and Bervick left together. Evans looked at the compass; he -looked at the barometer, and then he looked at the chart. He walked out -on deck and watched morning move slowly into the east. The day looked -peaceful; there was no way, though, to tell what might happen. There -never was any way to tell. - -He watched Bervick and several deckhands as they walked on the forward -deck, testing the winches, preparing to weigh anchor. Evans went to the -telegraph and rang the engine room. He set the markers on Stand By. -Almost immediately the Chief rang back. - -Evans took a deep breath. Then he opened the window and yelled, “Pull -her up!” - -Bervick pushed a lever. There was much clanging and rattling. The -anchor chain came up easily. Evans let the ship drift slowly with the -tide. At last, satisfied that the anchor was free, he gave the engine -room Slow Speed Astern. - -The ship, vibrating strongly, drew away from shore. Evans twirled the -electrical steering gear hard to starboard and headed the ship for the -opening and the sea beyond. - -At Slow Speed Ahead they moved through the channel, neatly cutting the -still water. The uneven rocks of the point moved by them. A raven, the -first he had seen since they left Andrefski, flew warily among the -rocks. A damp breeze came to him through the window. Snow clouds hung -over the mountains. - -Bervick came back. “All squared away. We left the tarpaulin off. Just -in case we might need the anchor again.” - -“Good.” Evans motioned to the man on watch who had been standing by the -door. “You take over.” - -Evans examined the blue-green paint of the wheelhouse. It was too dark. -He had thought so when they first used it, but this dark color was the -only paint he could get. A lighter color would have been much better. -He would have everything repainted when they got back to Andrefski. - -Without warning the ship was lifted several feet in the air by a long -wave. They were out of the inlet. The rocks of the point receded in the -distance. - -“Bring her to port,” commanded Evans. The bow swung parallel to shore. -They were headed west again. - -“So far so good,” said Bervick. - -Evans agreed. There was quietness in the morning. There would be snow -flurries but the big wind seemed to have gone. Evans was glad. He began -to whistle. - -Bervick looked at him. “We’re not in the clear yet,” he said. - -Evans laughed, “I guess you’re right. I just feel good. I wish I knew -what was the matter with that damned barometer, though.” - -“Maybe that little chain’s stuck, like I said.” - -“Might be.” - -Martin joined them. “The passengers look fine today,” he said. - -“The Chief say everything’s working in his department?” - -“That’s what he said. Smitty’s got breakfast ready. They’re eating now.” - -Evans remembered that he had had nothing to eat for almost a day. “I -think I’ll go below,” he said. - -“O.K., Skipper.” Bervick went over to the chart table and Martin went -into his cabin. - -The galley, Evans saw, was much more cheerful today. Smitty had cleaned -the deck and straightened the unbroken china. Several deckhands sat at -the galley table talking loudly. You could tell, thought Evans, how -long a man had been up here by the way he talked. The longer a man was -in the islands the longer his stories were. Talking was the only thing -to do when there was no liquor. - -The passengers were eating heartily. - -“Good morning,” said Evans, entering the salon. - -“Good morning,” said the Chaplain, giving the phrase its full meaning. -“There is practically no rocking,” he observed happily. - -“This may be a quiet trip yet,” said Evans. He sat down and Smitty -brought him breakfast. The Major was in a good mood. He was not even -pale today, Evans noticed. - -“I hear we may be in Arunga tomorrow night,” said the Major. - -“That’s what we hope,” said Evans. Breakfast tasted better than it ever -had before. - -“I shall really be glad when this trip is over,” said the Chaplain. -“Not of course that I haven’t every confidence.... But, you know, I -just wasn’t designed for ocean-going. You don’t think it will rock -much, do you?” - -Evans shook his head. “I don’t think so.” - -Duval and his assistants arrived and sat down at their end of the table. - -“Didn’t blow up after all, did it, Skipper?” said Duval. - -“We’re not there yet,” Evans could not resist saying this. Duval liked -to be positive. Especially about things which were none of his business. - -“Well, it looks to me like clear sailing.” Duval spoke flatly. He -stirred his coffee. - -“How fast are we going?” asked Hodges suddenly. - -“Nine, maybe ten knots,” Evans answered. - -“Nearer twelve, I’d say,” commented the Chief. - -“Engineers are all the same,” said Evans. The Chief said nothing. - -“You people should be going home shortly,” Major Barkison announced. -Evans looked up and the others were interested, too. - -“Yes,” the Major continued, “were going to close down Andrefski, as -you’ve probably gathered. That’s why I was out there. When it closes -down those of you who are due for rotation will probably get it. We -don’t need any more sailors here.” - -“That’s good news,” said Evans thoughtfully. The Chief and his -assistants questioned the Major further and Evans thought of Seattle. -He would get married again. That would be the first thing he would do. -After that he would get a second mate’s berth on some liner. He would -come back to these islands again. Someday, perhaps, he might get a -fishing boat and live in Seward. There were many things that he would -do. - -“If you’ll excuse me,” said the Major, rising, “I think I’ll write some -more letters.” The other passengers also left the table. - -“Martin tells me,” said Duval, “that the barometer’s still low. What do -you think’s wrong?” - -Evans shrugged. “I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.” - -“We were going to do that anyway,” said the Chief sourly and he left -the table, his assistants close behind. - -Evans wondered why he had so much trouble getting along with his crews. -When he had been a second mate on a cargo ship he had had no trouble, -in fact he had even been popular. Somehow things just didn’t work as -easily aboard this ship. He wondered if he might not be too much of a -perfectionist. People didn’t like to live with that sort of thing. He -spun his coffee mug between his hands. Finally he stood up. “Smitty,” -he said loudly. “You can clear the table now.” - -Bervick had the case off the barometer, when Evans returned to the -wheelhouse. Bervick and Martin were examining the mechanism. - -“Find anything wrong?” asked Evans. - -Bervick shook his head. “There’s nothing wrong with it. The thing’s in -good order.” Evans frowned. He did not like to think of what would -happen if this reading were correct. He went to the chart table. - -They would be off Kulak around one o’clock in the afternoon. Between -his present position and Kulak there was open sea and no protection. He -felt suddenly sick. Without a word to the others he walked out on deck. - -The air was cool and moist. There was no wind and no sign of wind. Dark -clouds hung motionless in the air. He felt the vastness of this sea and -the loneliness of one small boat on the dividing line between gray sky -and gray water. They were quite alone out here and he was the only one -who realized it. This was very sad, and feeling sad and lonely he went -back into the wheelhouse. - -Martin and Bervick had gone below, he was told by the man at the wheel. - -Evans stood by the window on the port side and watched Ilak disappear. -Snow, coming from the west, he noticed, was bringing wind with it. He -closed the windows. - -Martin returned silently. He looked at the snow clouds. “We won’t be -able to see so well,” he said. - -Evans nodded. “We got the times figured out pretty well. I don’t like -coming so near to Kulak, sailing blind.” - -They waited then for the snow to start. - -At a few minutes to nine whiteness flooded them. Snow splattered softly -on the window glass. Luckily there was enough wind to keep it from -collecting on the windows. Below them Evans could see the deck being -covered with snow. The sea had increased in size but was not yet large. - -Bervick joined them. - -“Just a little snow,” said Evans. - -“That’s the way a lot of them start.” - -“A lot of what?” - -“Williwaws.” - -“Sometimes, maybe.” Evans thought of the low barometer. - -“Remember that one off Umnak?” asked Bervick. - -“Sure, I remember it.” - -“That one started this way.” - -“Not with snow. It started with a little wind.” - -“A little wind like this and a lot of snow. You remember the snow, -don’t you?” - -“Yes, I guess I forgot about it. That was a year ago.” - -“That was a lousy thing.” - -“We got out of it fine.” Evans’ hands were cold and his stomach kept -being flooded with something. - -“Sure, we got out of it. Our luck should hold.” Bervick sounded -cheerful. - -“It had better,” said Evans and he blew on his hands to warm them. - - -ii - -“Not much change,” said Martin. Evans had been in the engine room with -Duval since lunch. It was two o’clock now and snow still swept over the -water. - -Evans looked gloomily at the whiteness. Martin watched him closely to -see what his reactions were. Evans only frowned. - -To the south the snow flurries were thinning a little and they could -see the dark outline of Kulak. They had been abeam the island for over -an hour. - -“Kulak,” remarked Evans. - -“We’ve been in sight of it since one.” - -“A lot of good harbors there,” said Evans. - -“Thinking of anchoring, maybe?” - -“I’m always thinking of anchoring.” Evans walked over to the compass -and watched it. - -Martin yawned. The monotony of waiting was beginning to get on his -nerves. - -Evans walked slowly about the wheelhouse. “That wind’s a lot stronger -outside,” he said suddenly. - -Martin was surprised. “I don’t think so. I think you’re wrong.” - -“Don’t tell me I’m wrong,” Evans flared. Martin said nothing; he -had seen Evans upset before. Sometimes he acted oddly. “Weather’s -changing,” said Evans more quietly. “I can feel it. Look,” he pointed -to the island, “the snow’s thinning. That means the wind’s picked up. -Besides, feel the sea.” - -Martin noticed for the first time that the ship was tossing much more -than it had an hour before. He had been daydreaming and had not noticed -the gradual change. - -Evans opened one of the windows and the familiar roar of wind and water -filled the wheelhouse. Snowflakes flew in and melted quickly, leaving -wet marks on the deck. - -The snow flurries were disappearing and every moment the shores of the -island became clearer. The sea was large though not yet dangerous. - -“I don’t like it,” said Evans. - -“Barometer’s still low,” said Martin helpfully. - -“I know. Did we nest that boom, the one on the port side?” - -“We did it last night, remember?” - -“That’s right. The hatches are pretty well battened down....” Evans’ -voice trailed into silence. - -A wave crashed over the bow and the whole ship shook. Martin slipped -on the linoleum-covered deck; he caught himself before he fell. Evans -was holding onto the wheel and did not lose his balance. The man at the -wheel swung them back on course. - -Through the open window blasts of wind whistled into the wheelhouse. -Martin slammed the window shut. It was almost quiet with the window -shut. - -“You didn’t want that open, did you?” - -“No. Go write up our position and the barometer reading in the logbook.” - -Martin obeyed. When he had finished he stood by the telegraph. - -“What do you think’s happening?” he asked. - -“I don’t know. I haven’t got any idea. Where’s Bervick?” - -“I think he went to the focs’le to get one of the men.” - -Evans swore loudly. “Why did you let him go up there? He should have -stayed here. Why didn’t he have sense to stay here?” - -“What’s the matter with you?” Martin was irritated. “What’s so bad -about his going there? It’s none of my business.” - -“How,” said Evans tightly, “do you think he’s going to get back if the -wind gets any worse? He’s going to be stuck there and no damned use at -all.” - -“That certainly’s too bad,” snarled Martin. “You want me to send out a -carrier pigeon?” - -Evans started to say something. He thought better of it, though. He -walked across the slanting deck without speaking. - -Martin, still angry, looked at the sea. He was surprised to see that -the snow had almost stopped, and that black clouds hung in the sky and -a strong wind was lashing the waves. - -He turned around to speak to Evans and at that moment the williwaw hit -the ship. - -Martin was thrown across the wheelhouse. There was a thundering in his -ears. He managed to grasp the railing and, desperately, he clung to it. - -The wheelhouse hit the water with a creaking smack. For a minute the -deck of the wheelhouse was at a right angle with the water. Then, -slowly, the ship righted herself. - -Evans, he saw, lay flat on the steep deck. The man who had been at -the wheel was huddled near the companionway. The wheel was spinning -aimlessly. - -The ship shuddered as tremendous waves lifted her high in the air. -Martin, confused and helpless, shut his eyes and wished that the huge -sound of the wind would go away. - -When he opened his eyes again he saw Evans crawling on hands and knees -across the deck. Martin watched him move closer and closer to the -wheel. A sudden lunge of the ship and Evans was thrown against it. -Quickly he caught the wheel. Martin watched as Evans fought grimly to -keep on course. - -Through the windows, Martin could see what was happening. They were -being driven toward the island. Evans was trying to hold them on any -course away from shore. - -Another jolt; a mountain of water swept over the wheelhouse. Evans was -thrown against the bulkhead on the port side. Water streamed into the -wheelhouse from new-made cracks. - -Again the ship righted herself and again Evans started his slow crawl -over the deck, only now the deck was slick with water. As the ship -reached the crest of a wave Evans got to his feet and made a dash -for the wheel. But this time he was flung against the door of the -companionway. The man who had been at the wheel lay beside him. - -Evans shouted something to Martin. The noise was too much and his -voice did not carry. Evans gestured furiously with his hands. Martin -understood him finally. Evans wanted the engines stopped. - -Martin ran to the telegraph and, before a new wave hit them, he rang -the engine room. Even in that moment he wondered what good it would do. -He got back to his railing. - -Luckily, Martin noticed, they were headed at an angle for the shore. -They would not hit for a little while. He looked at Evans and saw that -he was vomiting. He had never seen Evans sick before. - -The wind, howling more loudly than ever, pushed them almost sideways at -the island. The ship’s side was held at a forty-five-degree angle. Once -again, as Martin watched, Evans tried to get his hands on the wheel. - -He got safely across the deck. Distantly, as though he were only an -onlooker, Martin watched Evans struggle with the whirling wheel. Then -there was a crash that shook the whole ship and Martin lost his grip on -the railing. - -He felt surprised, and that was all, as he was flung lightly to the -other end of the wheelhouse. There was an explosion in his head and the -last thing he saw was the dark blue-green of the bulkhead. - - * * * * * - -Duval was sitting in the salon. Major Barkison, the Chaplain and Hodges -were playing cards. Smitty was clearing away the lunch. - -Duval was about to get up and go to his engine room when the whole ship -seemed to turn upside down. He was pinned between the bench and the -table. - -Across the salon he saw the deck of cards scatter into the air. The -Major, who had been sitting in a chair, was thrown heavily on the deck. - -Hodges had fallen against one of the bulkheads. He was trying to find -something to hold onto. - -The Chaplain, like Duval, had been pinned between the bench and the -table. His eyes were closed and his face very white. His lips were -working quickly. - -Slowly the ship righted herself. Duval thought of his engine room. He -would have to get back to it. He started to move from behind the table -but another gust of wind flattened the ship on the water. He relaxed -and waited. - -He was surprised at the force of the wind. It must be over a hundred -ten miles an hour, he thought. He tried to think calmly. They would, of -course, ride it out and then anchor somewhere. - -Major Barkison staggered to his table and grasped it firmly. In the -galley Duval could hear, even over the roar of the wind, the sound of -crashing china. He noticed Smitty in the companionway, his feet braced -against the bulkhead. - -Hodges ran across the deck and sat down on the bench behind the -Chaplain’s table. The Chaplain’s eyes were still closed, his face still -pale. - -The ship creaked and groaned and shuddered as the wind, almost -capsizing her, pressed the port side to the sea. - -Duval got to his feet. Holding the table tightly, he went toward the -companionway. Then, when he was as close as he could get without -letting go of the table, he jumped. - -For a second he wondered if he had broken anything. He had tripped over -Smitty and had fallen on the deck. He flexed his arms and legs. Nothing -seemed to be wrong. Smitty, he could hear, was praying loudly. - -Carefully the Chief worked his way down the companionway and into the -engine room. - -Each assistant was holding onto one of the engines. They were -frightened. Duval pointed to the engines and raised his eyebrows in -question: were they all right? The two men nodded. - -He worked his way, without falling, back to his cabin. Everything that -could have been broken was broken. Clothes were scattered over the -deck. He sat on his bunk. - -For the first time he noticed a pain in his knee. He felt the kneecap. -Waves of pain shook him. He wondered if it was cracked and if so what -he should do. - -A sudden lurch of the ship and he forgot about his knee. He went back -to the engine room. His assistants were still standing by. - -The oiler who had been sick lay quietly on the deck. He had passed out. - -Duval stood close to his first assistant. “No ring yet?” he yelled, -pointing to the telegraph. - -The man shook his head. - -“Stop her O.K.?” - -The man nodded. - -There was a loud crash. Duval looked around and saw water trickling -down the companionway. A porthole must have broken in the salon. - -The Chief waited for Evans to ring instructions; he wondered if this -was to be the way he would die. He had thought about it often, dying up -in the islands. Everyone had thought about it. He had never thought, -though, that he would come this close. New Orleans was a much better -place to die. - -The loud ring of the telegraph startled him. He nodded to his -assistants. They spun the mechanism which stopped the engines. This -done, the real wait began. - -“Where we heading?” the man next to him shouted. - -Duval thought a moment. He had not noticed and he did not know. He -shook his head. - -The same question was in each of their minds: were they heading for the -island and the rocks? Those sharp tall rocks, much pounded by the sea. - -He cursed himself for not having noticed. Just to know where they were -going, without being able to do anything about it, was better than -knowing nothing. - -From above there came a loud splintering and a crash. He wondered what -had happened. He wondered if he should go up on deck, but his knee was -bothering him. He might not be able to get back. - -The Chief held tightly to the engine as the ship rocked in the wind. He -and his assistants waited. That was all they could do. - - * * * * * - -Bervick had gone into the focs’le to get the fat cook. - -Smitty had complained that he could not take care of lunch alone with -the ship pitching. - -Several men were in the focs’le. The fat cook was asleep in his bunk. -Bervick shook him. “Come on and get up. You got to help out in the -galley.” - -The fat cook yawned and swore. Slowly he hoisted himself out of the -bunk. Bervick played with the dog. - -“Hey, Bervick,” said one of the men, “anything new going on? We’re -jumping around quite a bit. I thought the Skipper said there wasn’t -going to be no more storm.” - -“Looks like he’s wrong. The sea’s a lot bigger.” - -“You’re telling me.” - -The fat cook was finally ready. They climbed the ladder to the main -deck. Bervick looked out the porthole. He could not believe what he -saw. A high hill of gray-black water was sweeping down on them. - -“Get down,” he shouted to the cook who was below him on the ladder. -They were too late. Both were thrown back into the focs’le. - -The lights went out and in the darkness there were shouts from the -surprised men. Bervick reached into his pocket and lit a match. -Mattresses and blankets had been thrown against the port side. The men -were clinging to the bunks. The match went out. - -Guided by the pale gray light from the porthole above the ladder, -Bervick climbed up again and looked out at the deck. The wind had -blown the rigging loose from the mast and the ropes twisted in the air; -many of them had been blown out to sea. - -The ship was pressed close to the sea on the port side. The wheelhouse -slapped the water with each new gust of wind. Waves, higher than he had -ever seen before, swept over the decks. Water streamed over him from -cracks in the deck. - -Then Bervick saw that they were being driven toward the shore. The ship -was out of control. No one could control her now. - -Wind, almost visible in its strength, struck at the ship. One of the -booms became loose. Horrified, Bervick watched it swing back and forth. - -Quite easily the boom knocked the signal light off the top of the -wheelhouse. - -For a moment Bervick considered what his chances were of reaching the -wheelhouse in this wind. He dismissed the thought. - -There was nothing he could do. If they hit the rocks there was little -chance of any of them living. A person might last five minutes in the -cold water. But the wind and waves would dash one to pieces faster than -that. - -He wondered what Evans was doing: probably trying to get control of -the ship. When the wind was over a hundred miles an hour there was not -much anyone could do but wait. That was what Evans would do. Stop the -engines and wait. - -The wind became more powerful every minute. The big wind was at its -height. Great streams of wind-driven water battered the ship. - -A large wave hit across their bow. Bervick stumbled and fell off the -ladder. He rolled helplessly in the dark. There was a sudden snapping -sound, louder than the wind. Then there was a crash. Bervick knew what -had happened: the mast had been broken off. In the dark focs’le the dog -began to whine. - - * * * * * - -The mast was gone. - -Evans had seen it splinter as the wind-rushed waves went over the ship. - -The man on watch crouched near the wheel. He was trying to hold it, to -stop it from spinning. Martin lay unconscious on the deck. As the ship -rolled, his limp body skidded back and forth. - -Only eight minutes had passed since the williwaw struck. To Evans it -seemed as if the wind had been shouting in his ears for hours. - -His mind was working quickly, though. He tried to figure what would -be the best way to go aground if he got control of the ship. The best -thing would be to hit at an angle. - -He looked at the approaching shore. Ten minutes, perhaps a little -longer: that was all the time he had and the wind was not stopping. - -On the rocks the giant waves swirled and tumbled. A white mist rose -from the shore, a mist of sea spray hiding the mountains behind the -rocks. His stomach fluttered when he saw these rocks, black and sharp, -formed in a volcanic time. - -He wished Bervick was with him. He even wished that Martin was -conscious. His mind raced to many things. He thought of a number of -things. They came to him in quick succession, without reason. - -Evans wondered if the fire was out in the galley range. If the electric -generator was still working. What the ship’s dog, whom he hated, was -doing. Whether Duval still had his bandage on his finger and if not -what the possibilities of blood poisoning were. He wondered what blood -poisoning was like. His mother had died in childbirth; he thought of -that. - -The deckhand caught at the wheel and held it a moment. Then he had to -let go. They could not even lash it secure. The ropes would break. - -But the fact that the deckhand had managed to stop the wheel, even for -a moment, gave Evans some hope. - -Outside the sea was mountainous. Gray waves pushing steeply skyward, -made valleys so deep that he could not see sky through the windows. - -Evans hopped across the deck and grabbed the wheel. With all his -strength he struggled to hold it still. The deckhand helped him hold -the wheel. With both of them straining they managed to control the ship. - -Ahead of them the shore of Kulak came closer. A long reef of rock -curved out into the sea. Inside this curve the sea was quieter. They -were running toward the end of the reef. They would strike it on their -port bow. - -Evans decided quickly to get inside the reef. It was the only thing to -do. - -“Hard to port,” yelled Evans. The man helped push the wheel inch by -inch to the left. Evans slipped but did not fall as a wave struck -them. The deck was wet from the water which streamed in under the -bulkheads. - -Bits of rigging from the now vanished booms clattered on the wheelhouse -windows. Luckily the windows had not been broken. - -A gust of wind threw the ship into a wave. Both Evans and the deckhand -were torn loose from the wheel. - -Evans was thrown into the chart table. He gasped. He could not breathe -for several moments. - -When he had got his breath back, Evans went to the window. Controlling -the wheel was out of the question now. But they were inside the reef -and that was good. - -Evans held tightly to the railing. He watched the shore as they -approached it. - -Two tall rocks seemed to rush at him. Evans ducked quickly below the -windows. They crashed into the rocks. - -The noise was the worst thing. Breaking glass, as several windows -broke. The almost human groan of the ship as the hull scraped on the -rocks. The wind whistling into the wheelhouse and the thundering of -water on the shore. - -And then there was comparative quiet. - -The wind still whistled and the sea was loud but the ship had stopped -all motion. - -Evans walked across the angled deck, and he was surprised at what -he saw. The ship had been wedged between two rocks on the reef. The -starboard side was somewhat lower than the port. The sea was deflected -by one of the rocks and waves no longer rolled over the deck. - -Martin, pale, his nose bleeding, walked unsteadily over to where Evans -stood. - -“We hit,” he said. - -“We hit,” said Evans. - -“How long I been out?” - -“Maybe fifteen minutes.” - -“What’re you going to do?” - -“Wait till the storm stops.” - -Evans looked about him. The ship was securely wedged between the rocks. -There did not seem to be much chance of being shaken loose. Evans -shivered. He realized that he was very cold and that the wind was -blowing through the two broken starboard windows. - -He went into his cabin and put on his parka. His cabin, he noticed, was -a tangled heap of clothes and papers and furniture. - -He went back into the wheelhouse. “You stay here,” he said to the -deckhand. “Don’t do anything. I’ll be below for a while.” - -The galley was much the way he had expected it to be. Broken dishes on -the deck and food and ashes littering the table and benches. Smitty sat -silently amid the wreckage. He did not speak as Evans passed him. - -The salon was in better shape: there had been fewer movable articles -here. Still, chairs were scattered around in unlikely places and books -were heaped on the deck. - -Major Barkison sat limply on one of the benches. There were blue -bruises on his face. He was flexing his hand carefully as though it -hurt him. - -Chaplain O’Mahoney sat very stiffly behind the table. His dark hair was -in his eyes and sweat trickled down his face. He managed to smile as -Evans entered. - -Hodges, looking no worse for the storm, was peering out one of the -portholes. - -“Everyone all right?” Evans asked. - -“I believe so,” said the Chaplain. “We three aren’t very damaged.” - -“Is it going to sink?” asked the Major, looking up. - -“This ship? No, we’re not going to sink. Not today anyway.” - -“What happened?” asked Hodges. “What did we hit?” - -“We’re stuck between two rocks inside a reef. We’ve been lucky.” - -“When are you going to get us out of here?” The Major was frightened. -They were all frightened but the Major showed it more than the others. - -“Just as soon as the wind lets up.” - -“Is that long?” asked Hodges. - -“I don’t know. There’s a first aid kit in the galley locker.” Evans -went down the companionway and into the engine room. - -Everything looked normal here. The two assistant engineers were -checking their numerous gauges and the Chief was oiling a piece of -machinery. - -“What the hell did you hit?” asked the Chief. He did not seem bothered -by what had happened and this annoyed Evans. - -“We hit a rock, that’s what we hit. How are the engines?” - -“I think they’re all right. The propellers aren’t touching bottom and -you can thank God that they aren’t.” - -“Will she be able to go astern?” - -“I don’t see why not. Is that what were going to do?” - -“Yes.” - -“When do you want to push off?” - -“When the wind stops.” - -“We’ll have it ready.” - -Evans met Bervick in the salon. Bervick was wet from his dash across -the open deck. - -“What’s the focs’le doing?” asked Evans. “Leaking?” - -“No, we was lucky. We’re hung up just under the bow. We’ve lost our -guardrail and that’s about all.” - -“Good.” Evans looked through the after door. The sea crashed all around -them, the white sea spray formed a cloud about them. - -“Should be over soon,” remarked Bervick. “I think it’ll be over soon.” - -“Yes, it should be over,” said Evans and he turned and walked back -toward the wheelhouse. - - -iii - -Bervick walked on the forward deck. - -Since sundown the wind had almost died away. Water rippled about them -and the ship creaked as she moved back and forth between the two rocks. - -There was only a sharp stump where the mast had been. A few bits of -rigging were scattered on the deck; for the most part the deck was -clean of all debris. - -One of the ventilators was gone and someone had covered up the hole -where it had been with a piece of canvas. The other ventilator was -slightly bent; otherwise, it was in good shape. - -To his left rose the mountains of Kulak. They were like all the -other mountains in the islands. The closer one was to them the more -impressive they were. - -He walked to the railing and leaned over and touched the hard wet rock -that shielded them from the last gusts of the wind. - -Martin came slowly toward him. He walked unsurely. The knocking he had -taken had weakened him. - -“Here we are,” he said. - -Bervick nodded. “We got real messed up. It’s the drydock for us if we -get back.” - -“Hope we’re sent to Seward. I like Seward.” - -“Nice town for Alaska. Maybe we’ll get sent down to Seattle.” - -“My luck’s not that good.” Martin leaned over the railing and ran his -hand over the shattered guardrail. “You think we’ll get off these rocks -all right?” - -“I think so. Maybe we knocked a hole in the bottom. If that happened we -got no chance.” - -“Maybe we didn’t get a hole.” - -“That’s the right idea.” - -They walked on the deck, looking for damage. - -The cover to the anchor winch had blown away; the winch itself was not -damaged. - -“Let’s go up top,” said Martin. “Evans wants us to check the lifeboats.” - -The top of the wheelhouse was much battered. One of the two lifeboats -was splintered and useless. Martin laughed. - -“Those things aren’t any use anyway, not up here they aren’t.” - -“Sometimes you can get away.” - -“In a lifeboat like that?” - -“Sure, it’s been done.” - -“I wouldn’t like to do that.” - -“Neither would I,” Bervick tested the broken hull of the lifeboat with -his hand. The wood creaked under the pressure. - -“Let’s go below,” said Martin. “That’s no good any more.” - -“I guess you’re right.” - -They crossed the bridge and went into the wheelhouse. Evans was at the -chart table. “What did you find?” he asked. - -“One lifeboat knocked up and one ventilator on the forward deck gone,” -said Bervick. - -“I saw the ventilator go,” said Evans. “You say the lifeboat’s out of -commission?” - -“That’s right.” - -“Shipyard for us,” said Evans and that was all. He turned back to his -charts. Evans put on an act sometimes, thought Bervick. - -“We’re going below, Skipper,” said Bervick and he and Martin left the -wheelhouse. - -Duval was in the salon. His coveralls were smeared with grease and he -looked gaunt. He was sitting at the table, alone. - -“When’re we leaving this place?” he asked. - -“Pretty soon,” answered Bervick. “How’re your engines?” - -“I guess they’ll be all right. You’ll find out soon enough.” - -Bervick looked at the Chief’s grease-stained coveralls. “You have some -trouble?” - -“One of the pumps stopped working. I think we got it fixed. The boys -are testing it now.” - -“You look beat,” commented Martin. - -“You would be too. How did Evans manage to get us on the rocks, I -wonder?” - -“He didn’t,” said Bervick. “Just fool’s luck that we got out of this -thing this well.” - -“You mean so far,” said the Chief sourly. - -Bervick looked at him with dislike. Usually when they were working -together there was no enmity but now, even on the rocks, he could not -keep from disliking Duval. - -“What’s happened to the passengers?” asked Martin. - -“Damned if I know. They’ve probably gone out on deck or hit their -sacks. That Major certainly got excited.” - -“They all seemed excited,” remarked Bervick. - -“I suppose you weren’t.” The Chief stood up and sighed deeply. “I think -I’ll talk to Evans and see what’s going to happen.” He had started to -leave when Evans came into the salon. - -“When we going?” asked the Chief. - -“Right away. Say, Martin, you take some men and go on deck and stand by -while we go astern.” - -Martin left the salon. “Are you going to be able to handle the engines -all right?” asked Evans, turning to the Chief. - -“I think so. What’re you going to do, go half speed astern?” - -“Full speed, I think. Depends how tight we are. Come on, Bervick.” - -Someone had tacked pieces of canvas over the broken windows in the -wheelhouse. “Handle the telegraph for me,” said Evans. - -“O.K.” Bervick looked out the window and saw Martin with several -deckhands. They were standing on the bow, waiting. Lieutenant Hodges -was also on the forward deck. - -Evans maneuvered the wheel for several moments. “Ring Stand By,” he -said at last. Bervick set the markers on Stand By. The Chief rang back -quickly. - -“Slow Astern,” said Evans. - -Bervick rang the engine room again. The regular throbbing of the -engines began. The ship creaked and shifted slightly. - -“Half Speed Astern,” said Evans, his hands clutching the wheel tightly. - -Bervick rang for Half Speed. The ship trembled. There was a ripping -sound as they began to move from between the rocks. “There goes the -guardrail,” said Bervick. - -“Full Speed Astern,” said Evans. - -Bervick set the markers on Full Speed. “Here we go,” he said. - -The ship, with much groaning as pieces of wood were torn from the bow, -moved away from the rocks. - -Evans swung the wheel hard to port. There was a suspended instant and -then the bow splashed off the rocks. The ship rolled uncertainly for a -moment. Then they were free. - -“Cut the engines,” said Evans. - -The ship drifted away from shore. - -“So far so good,” said Evans. “Give her Slow Ahead.” As the ship moved -ahead Evans swung the bow out to sea. - -“Now we can wait,” he said. - -“For the leaks to start?” - -“For the leaks.” - -“Maybe I ought to go see the Chief, see how the pumps are working,” -suggested Bervick. - -“Sure, go below.” - -The engine room was hot. Fumes from the engines made the air almost -unbreathable. Duval was watching the gauges. His assistants stood -beside the engines. - -“Evans wants to know if the pumps are working.” - -“Tell him I think so. Got good pressure.” - -“I guess the engines weren’t bothered at all.” - -“You can be glad of that.” - -Bervick went up to the salon. Martin was looking out the porthole at -the island shore. - -“We made it,” said Bervick. - -“Yes, we got off the rocks. I was afraid for a while we weren’t going -to be able to. We were really jammed in there. Took the whole guardrail -off.” - -“Did you look in the focs’le to see if there were any leaks?” - -“No. You think we should?” - -“Yes. You take the focs’le and I’ll go down in the hold.” - -On deck the wind was brisk but not strong. The air was clearer but the -sky was still overcast. With night coming the weather might yet be good. - -Bervick slipped the covering off one end of the hatch. Carefully he -went down the narrow ladder. The hold was dark and damp and smelled of -salt and wood. When he got to the bottom he turned on a light. - -There were several crates of machinery on the deck of the hold. -They had not been given much cargo to carry on this trip. Pieces of -tarpaulin and lengths of line were strewn over the deck. Ammunition -for the ship’s gun rolled about the hold. They had dismantled most of -their gun and had stored the pieces. No one ever saw the Japanese in -these waters. - -Bervick examined the damp bulkheads carefully. They seemed to be sound. -He walked over the deck and could not find any sign of a leak. - -He turned off the light and climbed out of the hold. Martin was -standing by the railing. - -“Find anything?” Bervick asked. - -Martin shook his head. “Everything fine. You find anything?” - -“No.” They went aft to the salon. Martin went above to tell Evans about -their inspection. - -Major Barkison was in the salon when Bervick entered. He was nervous; -his fingers played constantly with his belt buckle. - -“Do you think it’s over for good?” he asked. - -“I expect so. The heart of the storm’s gone by us.” - -“I hope so. That was really dreadful, the rocks and all that wind. Does -this happen often?” - -“Occasionally it happens.” - -“It was awful. We’ll get back all right now, though. Won’t we?” - -“I hope so. Evans is good, he knows his business. I wouldn’t be too -worried.” - -“No, I suppose it’s all over.” The Major shuddered. “That wind, I’ve -never seen anything like it. It was terrible, all that wind.” The Major -sat down heavily. - -Evans came into the salon. He seemed cheerful. He was smiling. - -“Martin tells me there aren’t any leaks.” - -Bervick nodded, “That’s right.” - -“We’ll get there then. I’m hungry. Is Smitty around?” - -“I think he’s below. I’ll get him.” - -“Fine.” - -“I gather,” said the Major slowly, “that the storm is over.” - -“Well, it looks like it. Never can tell, of course. We may have some -more but the worst is over.” - -Major Barkison was relieved. “You know,” he said, “I must admire the -way you’ve handled this. I’m going to recommend you for a citation.” - -Evans laughed, “Send me back to the States, that’s what I want.” - -“I’m serious,” said the Major. “You’ve done a remarkable job and we are -all, naturally, most grateful.” - -There was an embarrassed silence. Bervick looked at Evans and saw that -Evans was at a loss to say anything. Evans did not know how to say the -right things. - -“I’ll get Smitty up,” said Bervick. - -“Fine,” said Evans. “Go get him up. I’m hungry.” - -Bervick found Smitty in his bunk. “Come on and get up,” he said. “We -want some chow.” - -Smitty swore loudly, “I seen everything now,” he said and he got out of -his bunk. - -Bervick went back to the salon. - - - - -_Chapter Six_ - - -i - -They had steak for supper. Smitty, in a mood of thanksgiving, had -cooked an unusually good meal. He served it himself, almost cheerfully. - -“Such a nice quiet evening,” exclaimed the Chaplain. - -“It’s a real relief,” said the Major. “A real relief. I thought for a -while that ... well, that that was it, if you know what I mean.” - -“It was pretty close,” said Evans, smiling. His passengers looked much -better. The Chaplain especially seemed happy. - -“Yes,” said the Major, “I think we’ve been lucky. Of course, we have -Mr Evans here to thank. If it hadn’t been for his ... his efforts, I -suppose, we’d be dead now.” - -“That’s right,” said the Chaplain, looking fondly at Evans. “You really -did a remarkable job.” - -“Pass the sugar,” said Duval and he took the sugar when it was passed -to him and put several spoonsful of it in his coffee. Evans could see -that he did not like to hear his Skipper praised. - -“By the way,” said Evans, “I think we should really compliment the -Chief. He sure did a good job. If his engine room hadn’t been operating -I don’t know where we’d be.” - -“That’s right,” said the Major, “we mustn’t forget Mr Duval.” - -“We’ve been extremely fortunate,” said the Chaplain. “Not of course -that we all weren’t quite ready to ... to meet our Maker, as it were.” - -“I wasn’t,” said Hodges abruptly. The others laughed. - -“Tell me, Mr Evans,” said the Major, “when do you expect to get to -Arunga?” - -“Tomorrow sometime, afternoon, I guess. Depends on what kind of time we -make.” - -“Excellent.” - -“By the way,” said the Chief, “that ventilator, the one over the -starboard engine; water and everything else’s been coming down it. You -get someone to fix it?” - -Evans nodded; he looked at Bervick, “You want to take care of that?” - -“Sure.” - -Evans sat down on one of the long benches that lined the bulkheads. -Martin was in the wheelhouse. They were on course and the barometer was -rising. - -He shut his eyes and relaxed. The rocking of the ship was gentle and -persistent. He had had an operation once and he had been given ether. -There were terrible dreams.... All through the dreams there had been -a ticking, a heartbeat rhythm, and a floating sensation much like the -sea. He began to recall the dream. He was happy, and when he was happy -he enjoyed torturing himself in a subtle fashion. He pretended that -he was under the ether again, that the rocking of the ship was the -dream. He recalled objects that looked like straws set in a dark green -background. Lights shone from the tops of the straws and deep deep -voices speaking in a negro manner came out of the tips of the straws. -He began to sink into the vastness of the ether dream. There was a -struggle and then a sense of being alone, of being overcome. The deep -voices kept throbbing in his ears. Then there was quiet. - - * * * * * - -“Did you have a nice nap?” asked the Chaplain. - -Evans opened his eyes and tried to look alert. “Just dozing.” He sat -up. The Chaplain and he were the only ones in the salon. He looked at -his watch: it was after ten. - -“I cannot,” said the Chaplain, “get over the great change in the -weather.” - -“In the williwaw season weather does funny things.” - -“I had what you might call a revelation of sorts, if you know what I -mean, during the storm.” - -“Is that right?” Evans wondered who was on watch. It was supposed to -be his watch until midnight. Bervick had probably taken over while he -slept. - -“I had a sort of vision, well not quite a vision, no, not a vision, a -presentiment, yes, that’s what I had, a presentiment of something.” - -“Did you?” Evans was not sure that he knew what a presentiment was. - -“This vision, presentiment I should say, was about the ship.” - -“Well, what was it?” - -“Nothing much at all. It’s really quite vague to me now. It was only -that we’d all get out of this, that no one would be hurt on the trip, -that’s all. That’s why I suppose one would call it a presentiment. It -was just a feeling of course. A kind of instinct.” - -“Is that right? I’ve had them too.” Evans wondered if the ventilator -was still leaking. - -“Have you really? I know there’s a sort of intuition, a sort of sixth -sense I would suppose you’d call it.” - -“Sure, that’s what I’d call it.” Evans wondered if there was anything -to religion. Probably not, at least he himself had gotten along without -it. He tried to recall if he’d ever been inside a church. He could not -remember. In the back of his mind there was a feeling of great space -and peacefulness which might have been the memory of a childhood visit -to a church. He had seen some movies, though, that had church interiors -in them. Churches where gray-haired men in long black robes stood in -what appeared to be upright coffins and talked interminably about large -resonant things. He had learned about religion from the movies and from -the Chaplains he had met. - -The Chaplain, his sixth sense at work, guessed what he was thinking. -“You are not particularly, ah, religious, are you, Mr Evans.” - -“Well, I wouldn’t say that,” said Evans, who would have said just that -if he had not disliked being thought different from other people. - -“Oh no, I can tell that you’re a ... a pagan.” The Chaplain chuckled to -show that this epithet was not serious. - -“I hope not.” Evans was not too sure what “pagan” meant either. He -wished that people would use simple familiar words. That was the main -thing he disliked in Martin: the long words that sounded as if they -meant something very important. - -“Well, there are many, many people like you in the world,” said -Chaplain O’Mahoney sadly, aware suddenly of the immensity of sin, the -smallness of virtue. - -“I guess there are.” Evans wondered if Martin had recorded the rising -barometer readings regularly. - -“Did you ever feel lost?” asked the Chaplain in an almost -conspiratorial tone. - -“What? Well, I don’t know.” - -“I mean did you ever feel lonely?” - -“Certainly, haven’t you?” - -The Chaplain was a little startled; then he answered quickly, “No, -never. You see I have something to fall back on.” - -“I suppose you do,” said Evans and he tried to sound thoughtful and -sincere but he managed only to sound bored. - -The Chaplain laughed. “I’m being unfair, talking to you like this when -your mind’s on the ship and ... and things.” - -“No, no, that’s all right. I’m very interested. I once wanted to be a -preacher.” Evans added this for the sake of conversation. - -“Indeed, and why didn’t you become one?” - -Evans thought a moment. Pictures of gray-haired men in black robes -and gray-haired men advertising whiskey in the magazines were jumbled -together in his inner eye. He had never become a minister for the -simple reason that he had never been interested. But the thought that -was suddenly the most shocking to him was that he had never wanted to -_become_ anything at all. He had just wanted to do what he liked. This -was a revelation to him. He had thought about himself all his life but -he had never been aware that he was different from most people. He just -wanted to sail because he liked to sail and he wanted to get married -again because it seemed like a comfortable way to live. Chaplains and -Majors wanted to become Saints and Generals respectively. - -“I guess I never really wanted to be a minister very much.” Evans ran -his hand through his hair. He noticed it was getting long. He would -have a haircut when they got to Arunga. - -“Some, I suppose,” said the Chaplain philosophically, “are chosen, -while others are not.” - -“Isn’t that the truth?” said Evans with more emphasis than was -necessary. - -The Chaplain squinted his eyes and took a deep breath and Evans could -see that he was going to be lectured. He stood up and the Chaplain, -looking surprised, opened his eyes again and exhaled, a slight look of -disappointment on his face. - -“If you’ll excuse me I’m going up top. My watch’s now.” - -“Of course, certainly.” - -Bervick was standing by the windows, looking out. Evans stood beside -him and they watched the sea together. The dark water shifted lazily -now, gusts of wind occasionally ruffling the surface of the water. The -night sky was black. - -“You been asleep?” - -Evans nodded. - -“That’s what I thought. Martin hit the sack.” - -“Barometer’s up.” - -“That’s nice. I don’t like low barometers.” - -“Nobody likes them.” - -Evans looked at the stump where the mast had been. “She really tore off -hard, didn’t she?” - -“Glad I wasn’t under it.” - -“I guess the boys’ll really talk about us now, the guys on the other -boats.” - -“Sure, they’re just like women. Talk, talk, that’s about all they do.” - -“I guess they’ll say it was my fault. Harms would say that. He’d want -to cover his own hide for sending us out.” - -“Well, you didn’t have to go if you didn’t want to. That’s sea law.” - -“That’s true.” - -“But I don’t think they’re going to say it was your fault. Worse -things’ve happened to a lot of other guys.” - -“It wasn’t my fault, this thing, was it?” - -“I don’t think so. You ain’t no weather prophet.” - -“There wasn’t any way for me to tell that there’d be a williwaw.” - -“Well, this is the season for them.” - -“But how could I know that it was going to happen? We were cleared at -the Big Harbor.” - -“It’s on their neck then.” - -“I hope so, it’d better be. I couldn’t help it if we got caught like -that, got caught in a williwaw.” - -“Sure, sure, it was no fault of yours.” - -Evans looked out of the window. He was getting a little worried. The -thought that he might be held responsible for taking a boat out and -getting it wrecked in williwaw weather was beginning to bother him. -Bervick was soothing, though. - -“You taking over now?” he said. - -Evans nodded, “Yes, I’ll take over. You got a couple of hours, why -don’t you get some sleep?” - -“I think I’ll go below and mess around. I’m not so sleepy.” - -“By the way, did you fix that ventilator, the one over the Chiefs -engine room?” - -Bervick frowned, “No, I forgot all about it. I’ll go now.” Bervick left -the wheelhouse. Evans checked the compass with the course. Then he -opened one of the windows and let the cool air into the wheelhouse. In -a few minutes he would go to his cabin and take a swallow of bourbon; -then he would come back and feel much happier as he stood his watch and -thought. - - -ii - -Major Barkison and the Chaplain were in the salon when Bervick entered. -The Chaplain was putting on his parka. - -“Hello, Sergeant,” said the Major. “We thought we might take a stroll -on deck before turning in.” - -“It’s pretty windy still.” - -“Well,” said the Chaplain, “I wouldn’t want to get a chill on top of -all this excitement.” - -“Well,” said the Major, “maybe we’d better just go to our cabins.” The -Chaplain thought that was a good idea and Bervick was glad to see them -go. - -He walked around the salon, straightening chairs and arranging the -books which were still scattered about. The salon was quiet, now that -the big wind had stopped. Even the bare electric lights seemed more -friendly than usual. - -The after door opened and Hodges came into the salon. He slammed the -door and stood shivering as the heat of the salon warmed him. - -“What were you doing out?” asked Bervick. - -“Walking around. I think we’ll be able to see stars soon. Looks like -it’s clearing up.” - -“Going to be quite a while before she clears that much.” - -“Well, it looked pretty clear to me.” - -“Clouds thinning maybe. I’ll be on deck myself soon.” - -“You’ll see nice weather, at least that’s what I saw.” Hodges sat on -the bench and scratched his leg thoughtfully. - -“Hope so.” Bervick tried to think why he had come below. He looked up -and saw that Duval was standing near him; he remembered. - -The Chief was angry, “Say, Bervick, I thought you was going to fix that -ventilator.” - -“What’s the matter with it now, we ain’t rocking much.” - -“Well, it’s leaking all over my engine, that’s what’s the matter. I -thought Evans told you to get that fixed long time ago?” - -“He certainly did. You heard him, too, I guess,” Bervick tried to -irritate Duval. - -“Damn it then, what’re you going to do, just stand there like a stupid -bastard?” - -Bervick frowned. “You watch what you say, Chief.” - -“Who do you think you are telling me what I should say, anyhow?” - -“Let’s take it easy,” said Hodges, remembering his superior rank and -deciding that things were getting out of hand. - -Bervick and the Chief ignored him. “I don’t want you calling me a -bastard,” said Bervick. He enjoyed himself, fighting with Duval like -this. Somehow Duval had begun to represent everything that he hated. - -“I’ll call you anything I like when you sound off like that. You think -you’re pretty smart, don’t you? Hanging around Evans all the time. You -and he think you’re mighty superior to everybody else.” - -“We sure in hell are to you.” - -Duval flushed a dirty red. “Shut up, you thick squarehead.” - -“_Cajun!_” Bervick snarled the word, made an oath of it. - -Duval started toward him. Hodges stood up. “By the way,” said Hodges -quickly, “where are the Major and the Chaplain?” - -“What?” Duval stopped uncertainly; then he remembered himself. “I don’t -know.” - -“They’ve gone to bed,” said Bervick. He was sorry that the Chief had -not tried to fight with him. - -Hodges, pleased that he had stopped what could have been serious -trouble, tried to think of something else to say. He asked, “Do you get -into the Big Harbor often, Mr Duval?” This was the first thing that -came into his head and it was the wrong thing to say. - -“Yeah, we go there once, twice a week,” said Duval. - -“A lot of nice people there,” said Bervick, looking at Duval. - -“All you got to have is money,” said the Chief softly, “money and -technique, that’s all you’ve got to have. Some people ain’t got either.” - -“You’re right there,” said Bervick. “Some people got just one and not -the other. Some people that I could name are just like that.” - -“Some people,” said Duval, beginning to enjoy himself, “haven’t got -nothing to offer. I pity those people, don’t you, Lieutenant?” - -Hodges, somewhat puzzled, agreed that he pitied those people. - -“Of course,” said Bervick, “there are some guys who sneak around and -get other people’s girls and give them a lot of money when they get too -old to give anything else.” - -This stung Duval but he did not show it. “Sure, sure, then there’re the -big snow artists. They talk all the time, that’s all they do is talk. -That’s what Olga said someone we know used to do all the time, talk.” - -“You must’ve made that up. Maybe she meant you. Yes, that’s who she -meant, she meant you.” - -“I don’t think so. She knows better. This guy was a squarehead, the guy -she was talking about.” - -“I think,” said Hodges, worried by the familiar pattern of the -argument, “I think maybe you better take care of that ventilator, like -you said.” - -“That’s right,” said Bervick, “we can’t let the spray get on the Chief -Engineer. That’s getting him too near the water.” - -“I been on boats before you was born.” - -“Sure, they have ferries where I come from, too.” - -There was silence. Bervick felt keen and alive and strangely excited, -as though something important was going to happen to him. He looked -at the Chief in an almost detached manner. Hodges was frowning, he -noticed. Hodges was very young and not yet able to grasp the problems -of loneliness and rivalry. - -“Someday,” said the Chief at last, “somebody’s going to teach you a -lesson.” - -“I can wait.” - -“I think it would be a good idea,” said Hodges, “if you went and fixed -whatever you have to fix. You’re not getting anywhere now.” - -“O.K.,” said Bervick, “I’ll fix it.” - -“You going to do it alone?” asked Hodges. - -“Sure, it’s too late to get anybody else to help. I couldn’t ask the -Chief because he’s too high-ranking to do any work.” - -“Shut up,” said the Chief. “I could do it alone if I wanted to.” - -“Then why don’t you?” - -“Why,” said Hodges, “don’t you do it together?” At Officers’ School -they had taught him that nothing brought men closer together than the -same work. - -“That’s a fine idea,” said Bervick, knowing that Duval would not like -it. - -“Sure,” said the Chief, “sure.” - -They walked out on deck. Hodges stayed in the salon, playing solitaire. - -There was a cold wind blowing and the ship was pitching on the short -small waves. Spray splattered the decks from time to time. The sky was -beginning to clear a little. Hodges had been right about the weather. - -The ventilator was dented and slightly out of position. When spray -came over the side of the ship it eddied around the base of the -ventilator and water trickled through to the engine room. - -Duval and Bervick looked at the ventilator and did not speak. Bervick -pushed it and felt it give slightly. Duval sat on the railing of the -ship, opposite the ventilator. - -“I suppose,” said Bervick, “we should hammer the thing in place.” - -“You go get the hammer then.” - -Bervick walked to the afterdeck. He leaned down and raised the lid of -the lazaret. A smell of tar and rope came to him from the dark hole. -He climbed down inside the lazaret and fumbled around a moment in the -dark. Then he found a hammer and some nails. - -“What took you so long?” asked the Chief. He was standing by the -ventilator, smoking. - -“You forgot about blackout rules, huh? You making your own smoking -rules now?” - -“You just mind your business.” Duval went on smoking calmly. - -“I’m going to tell Evans,” said Bervick. - -“You do just what you please. Now let’s fix that ventilator and stop -talking.” - -Bervick got down on his knees and tried to wiggle the ventilator in -place. It was too heavy. He stood up again. - -“What’s the matter? Can’t you get it in place?” - -“No, I’d like to see you try.” - -The Chief got down on his knees and pushed at the ventilator. Nothing -happened. In the darkness Bervick could see the lighted tip of the -Chief’s cigarette blinking quickly as he puffed. Duval stood up. - -“You have to move these things from the top, that’s what you have to -do.” - -“Well, why don’t you?” - -“That’s what you’re on this boat for, to take care of them things like -that. You’re a deckhand and this is deck work. This isn’t my job.” - -“You’re the one that’s complaining. It don’t make no difference to me -if your engine gets wet.” - -Duval tossed his cigarette overboard. “Take care of that.” He pointed -to the ventilator. - -Bervick slowly pushed the ventilator over the opening it was to cover. -Then he picked up the hammer and started to nail the base of the -ventilator into the deck. - -“How’s it coming?” asked a voice. Bervick looked up and recognized -Hodges. He was standing beside the Chief. - -“Don’t know yet. Trying to nail this thing down.” He was conscious that -his knees were aching from the cold damp deck. He stood up. - -“What’s the matter now?” asked Duval. - -“Knees ache.” - -“You got rheumatism, maybe?” asked Hodges with interest. - -“Everybody has a little bit of it up here,” said Bervick and he rubbed -his knees and wished the pain would go away. - -“I never had it,” said the Chief as though it were something to be -proud of. - -“Why, I thought I saw you limping around today,” said Hodges. - -“That was a bang I got in the williwaw. Just bruised my knee.” - -“Well, I’ll see you all later.” Hodges walked toward the forward deck. -The ship was pitching more than usual. The waves were becoming larger -but overhead the sky was clearing and there was no storm in sight. - -“Let’s get this done,” said Duval, “I’m getting cold.” - -“That’s too bad. Maybe if you did some work you’d warm up.” - -“Come on,” said Duval and he began to wrestle with the ventilator. It -was six feet tall, as tall as Duval. - -“That’s no way to move it,” said Bervick. He pushed the Chief away and -he grasped the ventilator by the top. Slowly he worked it into place -again. Duval watched him. - -“See how simple it is,” said Bervick. - -Duval grunted and sat down on the railing again. Overhead a few stars -began to shine very palely on the sea. Bervick hammered in the dark. -Then, working too quickly, he hit his own hand. “Christ!” he said and -dropped the hammer. - -“Now what’s wrong?” asked Duval irritably, shifting his position on the -railing. - -“Hit my hand,” said Bervick, grasping it tightly with his good hand. - -“Well, hurry up and get that thing nailed.” - -Anger flowed through Bervick in a hot stream. “Damn it, if you’re in a -hurry, do it yourself.” He picked up the hammer and threw it at Duval. - -The hammer, aimed at Duval’s stomach, curved upward and hit him in the -neck. The Chief made a grab for the hammer and then the ship descended -into a trough. - -Duval swayed uncertainly on the railing. Then Duval fell overboard. - -There was a shout and that was all. Bervick got to his feet and ran to -the railing. He could see the Chief, struggling in the cold water. He -was already over a hundred feet away. Bervick watched him, fascinated. -He could not move. - -His mind worked rapidly. He must find Evans and stop the engines. Then -they would get a lifeboat and row out and pick the Chief up. Of course, -after five, ten minutes in the water he would be dead. - -Bervick did not move, though. He watched the dark object on the water -as it slipped slowly away. The ship sank into another deep trough and -when they reached the crest of the next wave there was no dark object -on the water. - -Then he was able to move again. He walked, without thinking, to the -forward deck. A wet wind chilled his face as he looked out to sea. The -snow clouds were still thinning. In places dim stars shone in the sky. - -He walked back to the stump where the mast had been. He felt the jagged -wood splinters and was glad that he had not been under the mast when it -had fallen. - -Slowly Bervick walked to the afterdeck. He had left the lazaret open; -he closed it and then he went into the salon. - -Hodges was building a house of cards. His hands were very steady and he -was working intensely. When Bervick shut the door the house of cards -collapsed. - -“Damn,” said Hodges and smiled. “Get it fixed all right?” he asked. - -“Yeah, we got it fixed.” - -“I thought I heard a splash a minute ago. You drop anything over?” - -Bervick swallowed hard. “No, I didn’t throw nothing overboard.” - -“I guess it was just waves hitting the boat.” - -“Yeah, that was it, waves hitting the deck.” Bervick sat down on a -bench and thought of nothing. - -“Where’d the Chief go?” asked Hodges. - -Bervick wished that Hodges would shut up. “I think he went below. He -went around outside.” Once the lie was made things became clearer to -Bervick. They wouldn’t know what had happened for hours. - -Hodges began to build his house of cards again. - -Light glinted for a moment on Hodges’ gold ring. That reminded Bervick -of something. He was puzzled. It reminded him of something unpleasant -and important. Then he remembered: the Chiefs gold tooth which always -gleamed when he laughed, when he laughed at Bervick. Duval was dead -now. He realized this for the first time. - -The salon was very still. Bervick could hear the careful breathing of -Hodges as he built his house of cards. Bervick watched his fingers, -steady fingers, as he worked. - -No one would be sorry Duval was dead, thought Bervick. His wife would -be, of course, and his family, but the men wouldn’t. They’d think it -was a fine thing. They would talk about it, of course. They would try -to guess what had happened, how Duval fell overboard; they would wonder -when it had happened. - -“You and the Chief were really arguing,” commented Hodges, putting a -piece of the roof in place. - -“We’re not serious.” - -“You sounded serious to me. It’s none of my business but I think maybe -you sounded off a little too loud. He’s one of your officers.” - -“We didn’t mean nothing. He talked out of line, too.” - -“That’s right. That’s dangerous stuff to do, talk out of line. There -can be a lot of trouble.” - -“Sure, a lot of trouble. Sometimes guys kill each other up here. It’s -happened. This is a funny place. You get a little queer up here.” - -“I suppose you’re right.” Hodges added a third story to his house. - -“Me and the Chief, we don’t get along so well, but I ain’t got any hard -feelings against him, know what I mean?” - -“I think so. Started over a girl, didn’t it?” - -“There’re not many up here. The ones they’ve got there’s a lot of -competition for. We were just after the same one.” - -“He got her?” - -“Yeah, he got her.” - -Hodges began to build an annex on the left side of the house. Bervick -hoped he would build one on the right side, too. It looked lopsided the -way it was. - -“That’s too bad,” said Hodges. - -“I didn’t like it so much, either.” - -“I know how you feel.” - -Bervick doubted that, but said nothing. - -Hodges decided to build a fourth story. The house of cards collapsed -promptly. “Damn,” said Hodges and he did not rebuild. - -Bervick looked at his watch. “I’d better get some sleep,” he said. “See -you in the morning.” - -“Yeah, see you.” - -Evans was singing to himself when Bervick came into the wheelhouse. The -man at the wheel looked sleepily out to sea. - -“Fix the ventilator?” - -“Yes.” - -“Have much trouble with it?” - -“Not so much.” - -“Hammer it?” - -“We hammered it.” - -“Who helped you? Not the Chief?” - -“Well, he stood by and watched.” - -“Was he sore you hadn’t already done it?” - -“He’s always sore about something.” - -“I thought I heard you and him arguing below.” - -Bervick played with his blond hair. “We had a little argument about -fixing the ventilator.” - -“I’ll bet you sounded off right in front of the Major.” - -“No, just Hodges.” - -Evans groaned, “What the hell’s matter with you? Can’t you get along -any better than that with people?” - -“Doesn’t look much like it.” - -“He’s going to try get you off this boat, you know that?” - -“I don’t think he will,” said Bervick and he was sorry he had spoken so -quickly. - -“What do you mean?” - -“Oh, you know, I don’t think he’s that kind of guy.” - -“I never heard you say that before.” - -“Well, he’s not so bad, when you get to know him.” - -“Is that right?” Evans laughed. “You don’t make much sense.” - -Bervick laughed. It was the first time that he had really felt like -laughing in several months. The surface of his mind was serene: only -in the back of his mind, the thoughts he was not thinking about, only -there was he uneasy. - -“Martin taking over at eight bells?” - -Evans nodded. “You better get him up.” - -Bervick went into the small dark cabin. Martin was asleep and breathing -heavily. Bervick shook him. - -“Get up,” he said. - -“Sure, sure,” said Martin wearily. He rolled out of his bunk; he was -already dressed. - -“Afraid we might sink?” - -“Sure, sure,” said Martin and he moved unsteadily to the wheelhouse. - -Bervick sat down on his bunk and looked at the darkness. Duval was -dead. He imagined how it must have felt: the cold water, the numbing -sensation, desperation, and then the whole elaborate business of living -ended. - -Evans opened the door of his cabin. “You asleep?” he asked. - -“No.” - -“I’m going below now. Which ventilator did you fix? I’ve forgot.” - -“The starboard side. The one amidship.” - -“That’s what I thought.” - -“You going below now?” - -“I thought I’d look around before I turned in. Chief still up?” - -Bervick controlled his breathing very carefully. “No. He said he was -going to hit the sack.” - -“I won’t bother him then. Good night.” - -“Night.” Evans closed the door. - -Bervick lay in the darkness. He rolled from side to side in his bunk as -the ship lunged regularly on the waves. - -It was not his fault. He was sure of that. He had handed Duval the -hammer. Well, he had thrown the hammer to him. He had not thrown it -very hard, though. The Chief had lost his balance, that was all. -Perhaps the hammer had hit him and thrown him off balance, but that was -not likely. The ship had been hit by a wave and he was on the railing -and fell off. Of course, the hammer might have been thrown much harder -than he thought, but Duval had caught it all right. Well, perhaps he -had not quite caught it; the hammer had hit him in the neck, but not -hard enough to knock him overboard. - -Then Duval was in the water and Bervick had tried to get help but it -was too late. No, that was not right, he had not tried to get help: -he had only stood there. But what could he have done? Fifteen minutes -would have passed before they could have rescued him. Duval would have -been frozen by then. Of course, he should have tried to pick him up. -They couldn’t lose time, though. Not in this weather. He had tried -throwing Duval a line; no, that wasn’t true at all. He had done nothing -at all. - -They would find he was gone by morning, or sooner. Then they would -talk. Hodges would try to remember when Duval had left and he would -remember hearing a splash: the hammer falling overboard. The Chief had -gone back to the engine room or some place like that. - -Bervick slept uneasily. From time to time he would awaken with a start, -but he could not remember his dreams. That was the trouble with -dreams. The sensation could be recalled but the details were lost. -There were so many dreams. - - -iii - -“I don’t see how it happened,” said the Major. “It’s been so calm.” - -“I know, it’s been very calm,” agreed the Chaplain. - -Major Barkison, the Chaplain and Hodges were in the salon. A half-hour -before, at three-thirty in the morning, Evans had told them that Duval -was missing. - -In the galley the crew was gathered. The passengers could hear their -voices as Evans questioned them. - -Hodges sat at the galley table playing solitaire. He had been asleep -when one of the crew had come and asked him to see Evans in the salon. - -Hodges was sleepy. He hoped that Evans would finish his questioning -soon and let them go back to bed. It was exciting, of course, to have -a man disappear, and he wondered what had happened. Hodges could not -believe that Duval had fallen overboard. That was too unlikely. That -couldn’t happen to anyone he had talked to such a short time before. - -“The decks are quite slick,” commented the Major. “It’s easy to slip on -them; all you have to do is slip and that’s the end.” - -“I can’t believe it happened that way,” said the Chaplain. “He must be -somewhere around the ship. There must be a lot of places where he could -be.” The Chaplain, like Hodges, could not grasp sudden death. - -“This isn’t a big ship,” said the Major serenely. “They must’ve looked -everywhere.” - -“That water must be awfully cold,” said Hodges, beginning to feel awake. - -The Chaplain shuddered and muttered something under his breath. - -“Almost instant death,” said the Major. “Almost instant death,” he -repeated softly. The Chaplain crossed himself. Hodges wondered how the -water must have felt: the killing waves. - -Evans and Martin walked in from the galley. Evans looked worried. - -“Did any of you people see Duval tonight?” he asked. - -The Major and the Chaplain said they had not. - -“I did,” said Hodges. - -“About when?” - -“Around ten or eleven, I guess, I haven’t kept much track of time -lately.” - -“What was he doing?” - -“Well, he and Bervick were arguing about fixing the ventilator or -something.” - -“I know all about that. Did you see him around later?” - -“No. He and Bervick went outside to fix this thing. Bervick came back -in alone. He said something or other about the Chief going below.” - -Evans sat down on the bench. The lines in his face were deep now. He -seemed to Hodges to have stood about all he could. First the williwaw -and then this. - -“Go get Bervick,” said Evans, turning to Martin. - -Martin left. - -“I guess he fell off, if he did fall off, after Bervick came in,” said -Hodges. - -“Could be,” said Evans. - -“I can’t really believe this has happened,” said the Chaplain. “He must -be somewhere on the ship.” - -“I wish he were,” said Evans. “I wish he were.” - -“There will probably be an investigation,” said the Major. - -Evans nodded. “They’ll be running all over the ship.” - -Bervick and Martin joined them. Bervick looked surprised. - -“Chief’s missing. That right?” - -“Yeah, he’s gone. The Lieutenant here didn’t see the Chief after you -and him went out to fix the vent.” - -Bervick nodded. “We went out and when we finished the Chief said -something about going up forward. I went on back to the salon. I guess -he went on below later.” - -“Or else he fell overboard after you left,” commented Evans. He turned -again to Martin, “Get the assistants, will you?” - -The assistant engineers were as surprised as the rest. - -“I don’t know nothing about it,” said the heavy-set one. “Chief, he -went on up top around ten o’clock and he didn’t come back down, or at -least I didn’t see him again.” The other assistant had not seen him -either. - -“Well, there’s the story,” said Evans. “On his way back he must have -slipped.” - -“But it wasn’t rough at all,” said the Major. “I wonder how he managed -to fall over.” The Major carefully made his large-nosed profile appear -keen and hawk-like. - -“Well, he’d been sitting on the railing when I was fixing the -ventilator. He might have sat on the forward railing after I left,” -said Bervick. - -“He could lose his balance then?” - -Bervick nodded, “Easiest thing in the world.” - -“I see.” - -“We had a deckhand fall off that way once.” - -“Of course, that’s what I feel must have happened. The decks are so -slick.” - -“And you can lose your balance on a railing.” - -“I suppose so.” - -The Chaplain was calm now. He remembered his duty as a priest. “There -will have to be some sort of service,” he said, looking at Evans. - -“That’s right,” Evans agreed. “I’m supposed to give it but if you -wouldn’t mind I’d rather have you take care of it.” - -“That’s perfectly all right. I should be glad to give the service.” - -“What kind is it?” asked the Major dubiously. - -“The Burial at Sea one,” said Evans. “Masters of ships are supposed to -read it when one of the men dies at sea.” - -“Do you have a copy somewhere?” asked the Chaplain. “I’m afraid I don’t -know it. Not quite in my line, you know.” - -“Yeah, I’ve a copy up top.” Evans looked into the galley. “Hey, Jim,” -he said, “go up and get that Manual, the gray one on my desk.” - -There was loud grumbling from Jim as he obeyed. - -“Will you make a sermon?” asked the Major. - -“No, I don’t think so. Well, perhaps.” - -Hodges could see that the Chaplain was rising to the occasion with -considerable gusto. - -“Perhaps a short prayer after the service. Something very simple, -something to describe our, ah, thankfulness and so on.” - -“That will be nice,” said Major Barkison. - -“Yes, after all it’s our duty to do this thing right.” - -“I’ll bet the Chief would get a kick out of this,” commented Martin. - -Bervick, who was standing beside him, nodded. “Chief would really like -all this attention.” - -Hodges sat beside Evans on the bench. “What kind of report you going to -make, Mr Evans?” - -Evans shrugged. “The usual one, I guess. Lost at sea in line of duty, -accident.” - -“That’s the simplest, I suppose.” Hodges looked at the others. They -were very solemn. Death had a sobering effect on people: reminded them -that they were not immortal. - -The Chaplain sat muttering to himself. Hodges wondered if the Chaplain -enjoyed this sudden call on his professional services. - -Major Barkison, whom Hodges admired, was indifferent, or at least he -seemed indifferent. His face was cold and severe. Hodges tried to look -cold and severe, too. - -Martin was excited. His face was flushed and his eyes unusually bright. -He talked with Bervick who seldom answered him. - -Hodges tried to remember something. He was reminded of this thing by -the sound of waves splashing on the deck. He scowled and thought and -concentrated but the thing floated away from his conscious mind. - -Evans was talking to one of the assistant engineers. “I want you to get -the Chief’s stuff together. I’ll have to inspect it and then we’ll send -it back.” - -“I’ll get the stuff together.” The two engineers were less moved than -any of the others. - -Evans turned to Martin, “You better make out that usual notice, you -know the one about all people owed money by the Chief, that one.” - -“I’ll write it up tomorrow.” - -The deckhand named Jim returned and gave Evans a flat gray book. - -“Here’s the book,” said Evans. - -“Oh, yes.” The Chaplain stood up and Evans handed him the book. The -Chaplain thumbed through the pages muttering, “Fine, fine,” to himself. -“A very nice Burial,” he announced at last. “One of the best. I suggest -you call the men together.” - -Evans nodded at Bervick and Bervick went into the galley. The Chaplain -took his place at the head of one of the tables. Evans stood beside -him. Hodges joined Martin and the Major at the far end of the salon. - -The crew wandered in. There was a low growl of voices as they talked -among themselves. Bervick assembled them in front of the Chaplain. Then -he stood beside Evans. - -“Everybody’s here except the man on watch.” - -“O.K.,” said Evans. “You want to start, Chaplain?” - -The Chaplain nodded gravely. “I wish,” he said in a low voice, “that I -had my, ah, raiment.” - -“It’s in the hold,” said Evans. “I don’t think we could get it.” - -“Perfectly all right.” - -Hodges strained to remember the thing that hovered in the back of his -mind; the thought that made him uneasy. - -The Chaplain was speaking. He was saying how sad it was that Duval was -dead. - -Hodges watched the Chaplain. He seemed to expand, to become larger. His -voice was deeper and the words came in ordered cadences. - -He began to speak: - -“Unto Thy Mercy, most Merciful Father, we commend the soul of our -brother departed, and we commit his body to the deep; in sure and -certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus -Christ. - -“I heard a voice from Heaven saying....” - -Hodges looked at Bervick. His face was tired. A wave hit over the ship; -there was a splashing sound. - -The Chaplain began to speak Latin and Hodges looked at Bervick again. - - - - -_Chapter Seven_ - - -i - -“Snow’s starting to clear,” said Martin. - -Evans looked up from the chart table. “We’ll see Arunga when the snow -clears.” - -A high wind had sprung up during the afternoon and snow flurries swept -by them constantly. For a while Martin had been afraid there would be -another williwaw, but now that they were so near to Arunga it made no -difference. A williwaw near port was much different from one at sea. - -Martin watched Evans as he measured distances on the chart with a pair -of dividers. Already he was relaxed. He was whistling to himself. - -“Looks like we’re going to make it,” said Martin. - -“I guess so.” Evans did not look up from his chart. - -“That williwaw, that was pretty close, wasn’t it? I mean we were almost -knocked out.” - -“I’ll say.” Evans stood up straight and stretched himself. He looked at -the barometer and smiled. “We’ll have sunshine soon,” he said. - -“That’ll be the day.” - -“It could happen.” - -Evans walked over and looked at the compass. “Five degrees to port,” he -said. - -The man at the wheel began to swing the ship over. - -Martin looked out the window at the whiteness. He thought of Duval. His -name had not been mentioned since the service early that morning. - -“What’s the procedure when somebody dies aboard ship, when somebody -disappears?” - -“An investigation.” - -“Just a routine one?” - -“Usually. It’s different if they disappear and nobody sees them.” - -“What happens then?” - -“Still an investigation; a little more so, maybe.” - -“What are you going to tell them?” - -“Just what I know. Last anybody heard the Chief was out on deck. Then -he fell overboard.” - -“I wonder what they’re going to think happened.” - -“Nothing happened except that. What makes you think anything else -happened?” Evans spoke sharply. - -“I don’t think anything different happened,” said Martin. “It’s what -they’ll think, that’s all.” - -“This thing’s happened before. They know what to do. They’ll be -routine.” - -“I hope so.” - -Evans looked at him a moment. Then he looked out the window. - -Martin yawned and watched the small gray waves splatter against the -bow. Then the snow was suddenly gone. Weather was like that here. A -snowstorm would stop in several minutes. A gale could blow up and be -gone in five minutes. - -“There it is,” said Evans. - -“What?” - -“Arunga, off the port bow.” - -Martin looked and saw, for the first time, the black bulky coastline of -Arunga. - -“See that cape?” asked Evans. - -“Yes. That the port?” - -“That’s the port,” Evans said happily. “Go down and see what shape the -lines are in.” - -“How long before we’ll dock?” - -“Couple of hours.” - -“Fine.” Martin went below. Outside on deck the wind was cool and -direct. The air was clear and he could make out details of the island -mountains. - -One of the deckhands came out of the focs’le, the ship’s dog with him. -The dog sniffed the air suspiciously and then, satisfied, headed for -the galley. - -“Is that Arunga, Mate?” asked the deckhand. - -“That’s Arunga.” - -“I guess we really made it. I guess it was pretty close some of the -time.” - -“I’ll say. We had luck.” - -“That’s no lie.” The deckhand walked back to the galley. Martin -examined the lines. They seemed to be in good shape. He walked to the -afterdeck and checked the stern line: undamaged. He walked into the -salon. - -The passengers were talking loudly. Their baggage was piled on the deck -of the salon and they were ready to go ashore. - -“Somebody would think you people wanted to get off this boat,” said -Martin. - -The others laughed. “We’ve enjoyed it, of course,” said the Chaplain -charitably. “But, we are, ah, land creatures, if you know what I mean.” - -“I thought it was pretty interesting,” said Hodges. “Not everybody sees -a wind like that.” - -“At least not many people get a chance to tell about it,” agreed Martin. - -Hodges and the Chaplain began to talk about the trip. Major Barkison, -looking almost as young as he actually was, turned to Martin. “I hope -there’ll be no trouble about the accident.” - -“You mean Duval?” - -“Yes. If I can be of any help at all just let me know. Tell Evans that, -will you? I feel sure that nothing happened for which any of you could -be held responsible.” Having said this, the Major joined the Chaplain -and Hodges. - -Martin sat down. He knew what the Major thought. He knew what some -of the crew thought, too: that Bervick had had something to do with -Duval’s death. No one would say anything about it, of course. The crew -would be loyal to Bervick. Evans would pretend that the thought had -never occurred to him. Of the passengers only the Major appeared to -suspect anything. The Chaplain would never think of it. Hodges might. - -“When are we docking?” asked Hodges. - -“Around an hour or so.” - -“Isn’t that marvellous,” exclaimed Chaplain O’Mahoney. “I’m sorry,” he -added quickly. “We’ve all appreciated what you’ve done.” - -“I know how you feel,” said Martin. “It’s too bad we had to have so -much excitement.” - -“That,” said the Chaplain, “is life.” There was no answer to this. -Martin went into the galley and watched Smitty fixing supper. - -“We going to Seward next, Mate?” asked Smitty. - -“Some place like that. We’ll have to go to drydock somewhere.” - -“Well, I want to get off somewheres. I don’t like this stuff.” - -“That’s too bad.” Martin was getting tired of Smitty’s complaints. He -went slowly up the companionway to the wheelhouse. - -Bervick and Evans were talking. They stopped abruptly when Martin -entered. - -“How’re the lines?” asked Evans. - -“Good shape.” - -“We’ll be docking soon.” - -Martin looked out the window. Ahead of them he saw the string of -tombstone-like rocks that marked the entrance. They were a little over -five miles from the rocks. - -Bervick opened one of the windows and the wind cooled the hot -wheelhouse. - -“Look,” said Bervick, pointing at the sky. - -“What do you see?” Martin asked. - -“Gulls, lots of gulls. Can’t you see them?” - -Martin strained his eyes and with much effort he was able to see dark -specks moving in the cloudy sky. - -Evans looked at the sky, too. “Well, here we are,” he said, almost to -himself. - -They drew closer and closer to the rocks of the entrance. - -“We’ll dock in about fifteen minutes,” said Evans. “We’ll be inside -the harbor then anyway. You two go below and get the crew together. -Remember we haven’t got a guardrail.” - -“O.K., Skipper,” said Martin. He and Bervick went below to the galley. -The crew was gathered about the galley table. They were talking -casually of the williwaw and somewhat less casually of Duval. - -“Let’s hit the deck,” said Martin. “We going to tie up soon. Stand by -on the lines.” - -The deckhands went out on deck; Martin and Bervick followed them. - -Bervick took a deep breath. “When the weather’s good it’s really good -here.” - -“It’s appreciated anyway.” They watched the men move about the deck, -uncoiling lines, arranging the lines for the landing. - -They entered the bay of Arunga. - -The bay was several miles long. Mountains sloped down to the water. -On the steep slopes were the buildings of the port and the army post. -They were spaced far apart along the water edge. There were many brown, -rounded huts and large olive-drab warehouses. There were cranes on the -shore for unloading ships and there were many docks. - -“Looks good,” said Martin, “looks good. I never thought I’d be glad....” - -“Neither did I,” said Bervick. - -The ship glided at half speed through the nets. They were still over -two miles from the docks. - -“Is the radio out?” asked Martin. - -“What? No, I don’t think so. I don’t think it is. No, I heard Evans -tell the signalman to contact the shore.” - -“I’ll bet they’re plenty curious on shore.” - -“Because we haven’t got a mast?” - -“Sure, what did you think I meant?” - -“I don’t know. We’re pretty late arriving.” - -“They know there was a williwaw. They probably knew it here all along.” - -The windows of the wheelhouse were opened. Evans leaned out of one. - -“All ready to land?” he yelled. - -Martin nodded. - -“We’re going to the East dock. Tie up on this end. Port landing.” - -Martin nodded. Evans disappeared from the window. - -Bervick went aft to handle the stern lines. Martin walked forward to -the bow. He turned on the anchor winch. - -“We’ll put the bow line on the winch,” he said to the deckhand who was -handling that line. - -The man tossed one end of his line over the revolving winch. When they -docked he would draw the bow into shore with the winch. - -A crowd was gathered on the dock. They were pointing at the ship and -talking. Martin felt suddenly important. He always did when he was at -the center of things. Every eye was on their ship. What had happened to -them would become one of the many repeated stories of the islands. They -were part of a legend now. The ship that had been smashed in a williwaw -and had lost her Chief Engineer in a mysterious fashion. - -Evans slanted the ship hard to port. They were headed for the dock. -Martin saw that he was going to do one of his impressive landings. -For a moment he hoped that Evans would foul up the landing. He didn’t, -though. - -Just as they seemed about to hit the dock Evans swung the ship hard to -starboard. Easily, gracefully she glided along parallel to the dock. - -One of the crew threw the heaving line onto the dock. A man caught -it and pulled their bow line out of the sea. Then he threw it over a -piling. - -Evans cut the engines off. - -“Pull the bow in,” Martin shouted to the deckhand beside the winch. -Quickly the man obeyed. The ship stopped moving. Several officers who -had been standing on the dock climbed aboard. Martin walked slowly -toward the afterdeck. The sea gulls began to circle about the ship. - - -ii - -“Handle that carefully, please.” The Chaplain was worried about his -baggage and he did not like the looks of the man who was placing it on -the dock. - -“O.K., O.K., Chaplain. I got it all right. Nothing’s going to get -broke.” - -“Thank you.” Chaplain O’Mahoney shuddered as his duffel bag fell wetly -into a puddle on the dock. Undisturbed, the man began to load the other -passengers’ baggage on top of his duffel bag. - -The Chaplain buttoned his parka tightly at the throat. It was not -particularly cold but he did not like the thought of being chilled. - -He walked up and down the forward deck while the longshoremen began to -unload cargo. Men were walking all over the ship, examining the stump -of the mast and the other scars of the storm. Up in the wheelhouse he -could see Evans talking with a group of officers. - -He looked up at the dock from time to time. Chaplain Kerrigan was -supposed to meet him at the dock. In the morning there was to be a -meeting of all Chaplains; they were to discuss something or other, -O’Mahoney was not sure what. He wished that Kerrigan would arrive soon. - -Hodges and Major Barkison came out on deck. - -“All ready to go ashore?” asked the Major. - -“Just as soon as they get unloaded,” said the Chaplain. “This is the -first time I’ve been on Arunga.” - -“Is that right? Would you like me to give you a lift? My staff car’ll -be here soon.” - -“No thank you. Someone’s supposed to meet me.” - -“Fine.” The Major climbed up on the dock and Hodges followed him. - -O’Mahoney watched them take their baggage off his now-soaked duffel bag. - -“Chaplain O’Mahoney?” a voice asked. - -He looked to his left and saw a long thin person coming toward him. - -“Hello, Kerrigan,” O’Mahoney said, and with great care he pulled -himself up on the dock. He tried not to strain himself because of his -heart. - -“We were almost afraid we weren’t going to have you for our meeting,” -said Kerrigan as they shook hands. - -O’Mahoney laughed. “Well, I almost didn’t get here.” - -Kerrigan looked at the ship. “No mast, I see. We were told that one of -the nastiest williwaws they’ve ever had hit you people.” - -“Is that right? It was really terrifying, if you know what I mean. -Wind all the time. Waves so big you couldn’t see over them. Oh, it was -dreadful.” - -“How long did the storm last?” - -“Two days at least. It was bad most of the time, of course.” - -“Well, we had a prayer meeting of sorts for you.” - -“With good results, even from a Protestant like yourself.” They laughed. - -“You all ready to go?” asked Kerrigan. - -“Well....” O’Mahoney stood undecided. He looked at his duffel bag, -blotched with water. “I’d better check with the Master of the ship -before I go.” - -He looked around for Evans. Finally he saw him standing with a group -of officers near the edge of the dock. They were talking seriously. -O’Mahoney walked over to Evans. - -“I’m about to go,” he said. “I wondered if....” Evans looked at him -blankly. Then he seemed to remember. - -“That’s O.K., Chaplain. Go right ahead. They may get hold of you for -this investigation tomorrow, but that’s all.” - -“They know where to get me.” - -“I don’t suppose you’ll be travelling back with us?” - -The Chaplain shook his head. “I think I’ll fly,” he said. - -Evans smiled. He was really a pleasant young man, thought the Chaplain -suddenly. He appeared a little abrupt at times but then he had many -responsibilities. They shook hands and said goodbye and murmured that -they would see each other again at Andrefski. - -Some twenty or thirty people were on the dock now, examining the ship. -Officers and enlisted men and sailors from the navy boats crowded about -the ship. - -The Chaplain found Major Barkison talking to a gray-haired Colonel. - -“On your way, Chaplain?” - -“Yes. My friend just met me. I’m going to be out near Chapel Number -One, I think.” - -“Well, you know where I am, Adjutant’s Office. Drop by and see me.” The -Major was cordial and distant. - -“I certainly will. Good luck.” - -“Good luck, Chaplain.” They shook hands. Then the Chaplain shook hands -with young Hodges who had been standing near by. The Chaplain walked -back to where Kerrigan stood waiting. - -“Come on,” said Kerrigan. “It’s getting cold, standing around like -this.” - -“Be right with you.” The Chaplain picked his duffel bag up out of the -puddle. He looked at the black water marks. - -“What a shame,” said Kerrigan. “I’ll help you.” Together they put the -duffel bag in the back of Kerrigan’s jeep. - -O’Mahoney climbed into the front seat of the jeep and Kerrigan got in -beside him, carefully shutting the plywood door. Kerrigan started the -engine and slowly they drove down the dock. - -The Chaplain took a last look at the ship as they drove by her. The -crew was hosing down the decks and the longshoremen were closing the -hatch. - -“I’ll bet you’re glad to be off that boat.” - -O’Mahoney nodded. “You know, that trip took years, literally years off -my life. I don’t think that I’m the same person now that I was when I -left Andrefski.” - -“How come?” - -“Oh, the wind and all that. Fear, I suppose you’d call it. Somehow all -the little things that used to bother me don’t seem important now, if -you know what I mean.” - -“That right?” Kerrigan looked at him with interest. “There must be -something purging about being so near to death.” - -“I think so.” The Chaplain sighed. “Jealousy and things like that. -Being afraid to die and things like that. They seem unimportant now.” -The Chaplain said these things and meant them. - -“It must have been a great experience. I understand one of the men was -lost.” - -“That’s right. Poor fellow fell overboard. He was a Catholic.” - -“That doesn’t follow, does it?” - -“What? Oh, no,” the Chaplain laughed. “Just an accident.” - -“You know Worthenstein, the rabbi who was up here?” - -O’Mahoney nodded, “Fine chap.” - -“Well, he got himself stationed in Anchorage.” - -“No!” The Chaplain was indignant. “I wonder how he arranged that. I -don’t like to be unkind but....” - -Kerrigan nodded, “I know what you mean.” A truck came suddenly around a -corner. Quickly Kerrigan pulled the jeep out of its way. - -“My gracious!” exclaimed Chaplain O’Mahoney. “Watch where you’re going.” - - * * * * * - -Major Barkison went out on deck just before the ship docked. He did not -like to admit it but he could barely wait to get off. He stood watching -as they drew near to shore. - -He felt slightly sick when he saw the bow of the ship heading straight -into the dock. He saw a group of men standing on shore. If the one on -the left moved within the count of three they would smash into the -dock.... - -He was forced to admire the way in which Evans swung the ship over. - -Hodges joined him with the baggage. “I got everything here, Major.” - -“Good, good. You might toss it up on shore.” A deckhand came, though, -and took the baggage for them. - -“Looks like everybody’s down to see us.” - -The Major nodded. Several officers were waving to him. His friend, the -Chief of Staff, an old army Colonel, was waiting for him on the dock. - -Impatiently Major Barkison watched the deckhands as they made the ship -fast. When they were at last securely moored to the dock, he looked up -at the wheelhouse and asked, “Is it all right to go ashore, Mr Evans?” - -“Yes, sir,” said Evans, who was standing by one of the windows. - -The Major and Hodges climbed onto the dock. They were immediately -surrounded by a group of officers. - -Major Barkison was quite moved at the concern they showed. It seemed -that the ship had been reported missing and that they had given up all -hope of seeing him again. It was only an hour before that they had -heard the ship had been sighted off the coast of Arunga. - -The Colonel was especially glad to see him. “We were pretty bothered. -You know how it is. I hadn’t any idea who we could make Adjutant if -anything happened to you. Joe, here, he applied for the job.” The -Colonel pointed to a short, stout Captain and everyone laughed except -Joe. Major Barkison smiled to himself: Joe probably _had_ asked for his -job. - -“You get seasick?” asked the Colonel. - -“Certainly not,” said the Major. “You know my iron stomach.” The junior -officers laughed at this bit of esoterica, and Major Barkison began to -feel more normal. - -“They tell me they lost one of the men.” - -“Chief Engineer. He fell overboard.” - -“What a shame. We heard a garbled report about it. I suppose it was too -late to do any good when they picked him up.” - -“Well, they never did find out when he fell over.” - -“Really?” The Colonel was surprised. “That’s a new one. Those things -happen, of course.” - -“They certainly do.” All the officers began to ask questions about the -trip. - -“I don’t see how you had the nerve to take a boat out at this time of -year,” commented Joe admiringly. - -“Well.” The Major frowned and made his profile look like Wellington. -“There were no planes flying,” he said. “I had to get back. The General -wanted my report and this was the only way I could come. It could have -been worse,” he added and he knew as he said it that he was sounding -foolish to Hodges, if not to himself. - -“We certainly appreciate that, Barkison. Not many people would have -done it,” said the Colonel. - -Major Barkison was about to say something further when the Chaplain -walked up to him to say goodbye. The Major spoke with the Chaplain -for a few minutes. He liked O’Mahoney but Chaplains generally did not -appeal to him. They exchanged goodbyes. - -“Got some good news for you, Barkison,” said the Colonel when the -Chaplain had left. - -“What is it?” - -“You’ve been promoted, Colonel.” - -Major Barkison was very happy. The congratulations which flowed in -around him made up for the fear in which he had spent the past few days. - -“When did it come through?” he asked finally. - -“Day before yesterday. I got something for you.” The Colonel searched -in one of his pockets and brought forth two silver Lt Colonel’s leaves. -“I’ll pin them on,” he said. He managed to get the Major’s insignia off -but his hands got cold before he could pin the new insignia on. - -“Oh, hell,” said the Colonel, handing the leaves to Barkison. “Put them -on later.” - -“Thank you,” said Barkison. - -“Let’s get out of here,” said the Colonel. “We got two cars.” He waved -to two staff cars which were parked on the other end of the dock. Their -drivers got into them and in a moment the cars were beside the ship. - -“Here’s Evans,” said Hodges as Barkison was about to get into one of -the cars. - -“Oh yes, Mr Evans. Do you think you can come to my office sometime -tomorrow? We’ll talk over that investigation business.” - -“I certainly will, sir.” - -“And thank you for everything, Mr Evans. You did a fine job.” - -“Thank you, sir.” - -Barkison nodded and Evans walked away. - -Barkison sat between the Colonel and Hodges in the back seat. For the -first time he noticed the difference between being on land and on the -sea. The steadiness of the land soothed him. He felt safe. - -“You’re giving us a party, aren’t you, brother Barkison?” - -“Certainly, Colonel. I’ve been saving up some liquor for a moment like -this.” - -The Colonel laughed. “You dog, you knew all along you were going to get -this. I bet you were counting the days.” - -“Oh, not quite,” said Barkison. He was thankful now that he was still -alive. He felt like making a dramatic speech. He began to think of -General Gordon and this made him think of his own immediate General. - -“I hope the old man doesn’t think I’m too late in getting back.” - -The Colonel shook his head. “Don’t give it a second thought. He was -glad to hear that you’re still with us. The report could have waited.” - -“That’s a relief,” said Lt Colonel Barkison and he relaxed in his -seat as the staff car took them quickly over the black roads to the -Headquarters. - - * * * * * - -Hodges helped put the baggage on the dock. Then he stood with the Major -while the other officers asked questions. Hodges, as much as he admired -the Major, could not help thinking that he was a bit of a poseur. He -watched the Major as he talked of the storm. The Major was much too -assured. From the way he talked one would have thought that he had -brought the ship in. - -Evans came over to say goodbye and Major Barkison was rather -patronizing. Hodges wondered if he should be patronizing, too. He -decided not. - -“Goodbye, Mr Evans,” he said. “We really appreciate what you did for -us.” - -“Thanks. I’ll probably see you around tomorrow.” - -“I hope so.” - -Evans walked back to the ship and Hodges joined the Major in the staff -car. - -“Well, Lieutenant,” said the Colonel, “what do you think of your boss -here getting promoted?” - -“I’m certainly glad, sir.” - -“That’s the spirit. Maybe you’ll be, too.” The Colonel chuckled. - -Barkison was quiet, Hodges noticed. He seemed to be dreaming about -something. Hodges could always tell when Barkison was daydreaming -because his mouth would become very stern and he would look straight -ahead, his lips occasionally moving. - -“How was this guy,” the Colonel nodded at Barkison, “how was he on the -trip? I’ll bet he was sick all the time.” - -“Oh, no, sir. I don’t think he was sick at all.” Hodges disliked higher -ranking officers being playful. - -The Colonel and Barkison began to talk about various things and Hodges -looked out the window. - -It was several miles to the Headquarters. It was several miles to -everything around here. - -The countryside, if it could be called that, was bleak and brown. There -was no vegetation, only the spongy turf. Low hills sloped down into the -water and beyond them the white mountains disappeared into the clouds. - -Ravens and gulls were everywhere. Some of the younger officers had -caught ravens, slit their tongues, and occasionally had taught them how -to talk. Ravens made good pets. - -“I wonder how the Chaplain’s going to get back to Andrefski?” asked -Hodges. - -“I haven’t any idea,” said Barkison. “He’ll probably fly. Are planes -flying out of here now, Colonel?” - -“Certainly. They have all along. Well, except for a few days last week.” - -Barkison smiled tightly. “Just when we wanted one, they stopped flying.” - -“It must have been a great experience for you,” said the Colonel. “I’d -give anything to have been in your shoes. That ship was really busted -up.” - -“Yes, we took quite a knocking.” Barkison looked away dreamily as -though he were reliving those daring hours when he had stood on the -bridge shouting orders to the men. Hodges thought this was very funny. - -“I know the General thinks a lot of you for this. I heard him say so -this morning at a staff meeting, which reminds me we’ve got a new -Colonel in the Headquarters.” - -“Who is it?” - -“Jerry Clayton. He was at the Point before your time.” - -“The name’s familiar. What’s he going to do here?” - -“Well, this is just between us, Barkison, but I suspect....” The -Colonel lowered his voice and Hodges looked out the window. - -The staff car drove up to a long building, rather complicated-looking -because of its many wings. Hodges opened the door and they got out. - -“I’ll see you later, Hodges,” said Barkison. “I’ve got to go in and see -the old man. You’ll be over at the club for supper, won’t you?” - -“Yes, sir. I’m going over there right now.” - -“I’ll see you then.” Barkison and the Colonel walked down a long dimly -lit corridor to a door marked Commanding General. - -Hodges went to his own office. This was a large room which he shared -with three clerks and two Lieutenants. Only one of the Lieutenants was -in the room when Hodges entered. - -“Well, what do you know, here’s the boy again,” said the Lieutenant, -grinning and shaking hands. “You don’t look so bad. A little pale, but -nothing that a dose of raisin jack won’t cure.” - -“Well, you look plenty lazy.” They insulted each other good-naturedly -for several minutes. The other Lieutenant was in his middle twenties -and a close friend of Hodges. They had gone to Officers’ School -together. The other Lieutenant was dark and handsome and constantly -shocked at Hodges’ desire for a military career. A desire which he -usually referred to as “crass” or “gross.” - -“How’s the office been?” - -“Just about the same. I think our friend the Chief of Staff is going to -get moved out.” - -“How come?” - -“Well, they sent a new Colonel in and it looks like our politician -friend is on his way out.” - -“I guess that’s why he was down to meet us.” - -“Sure, he’s winning friends all the time.” - -“Say, I’m hungry. Let’s go over to the club.” - -“O.K., wait till I take care of this.” The Lieutenant put some papers -in his desk. “I wonder where that damn CQ is? Well, we’ll go anyway.” - -They went outside and Hodges saw that his baggage was gone. The driver -had probably taken it over to his quarters. He was glad that he -wouldn’t have to carry it. - -They walked silently along the black roads. Jeeps and trucks clattered -by them. Men on their way to the theaters or cafeterias or recreation -halls walked along the road. The twilight was almost as dark as the -night. - -The club was another long low complicated building. - -Inside, it was warm and comfortable. There was a large living room with -a fireplace and comfortable chairs. In here it was almost possible to -forget that one was in the Aleutians. - -Next to the living room was a bar and beyond that a dining room. Hodges -and the Lieutenant went to the bar. - -“Beer.” - -“Beer.” - -They got beer. - -“Those little ships are pretty light, aren’t they? I mean even in good -weather they jump all over the place.” - -Hodges took a swallow of the bitter liquid. “I wouldn’t know,” he said -at last. “I’ve never been in a boat like that in good weather.” - -“I guess that’s right. Say, did you stop off at the Big Harbor?” - -“We were there for a night.” - -“How was it? I never been there but I’ve heard a lot about the girls -there. Got a lot of Canadians there.” - -“Well, they’re all over fifty.” - -“That’s not what I heard.” - -“That’s what I saw anyway.” - -They drank their beer. “Come on,” said Hodges when they had finished, -“let’s go in the dining room. I’m starved.” - -“Didn’t they have food on that boat?” - -“They had it but it was pretty hard to get down when you were jumping -about like we were.” - -The dining room smelt of steak. They took a table in a corner, and a -man took their order. - -Barkison, wearing his new silver leaves, entered the dining room with -the Colonel. They nodded to the Lieutenants who nodded back. - -“Is that what you want to be? A guy like Barkison: more brass than -brains?” - -“Oh, he’s not so bad. You just have to get to know him. He’s done -pretty well. He might even be a General before this is over.” - -“No war could last that long.” - -The waiter brought them their dinner. Hodges ate hungrily. - -“By the way,” said the Lieutenant, “I heard that a guy got killed on -your boat. Mast hit him or something?” - -“That’s not quite right. He fell overboard.” - -“How did that happen?” - -“I don’t know. Nobody knows. He went out on deck to fix something and -he never came back.” - -“You think he got the old push, maybe?” - -“No, I don’t,” said Hodges and he spoke more sharply than was necessary. - -“Well, don’t get so excited. It wouldn’t have been the first time. Was -he a popular guy?” - -“No, I don’t suppose he was.” - -“That sounds mighty familiar to me.” - -“I think it was an accident, though,” said Hodges and he said the words -lightly, not making the mistake of sounding too interested as he had -before. - -“This is the toughest steak I ever ate,” complained the dark Lieutenant. - -“That’s one of the horrors of war.” - -“It sure is.” They finished their dinner. - -Hodges thought of the night that the Chief had disappeared. He could -remember himself building a house of cards. He could hear the Chief and -Bervick arguing. Then they went out together and he had stayed inside -building his house of cards. He had gone out on deck once. Duval had -been sitting on the railing and Bervick was fixing the ventilator. Then -he had gone back inside. - -“Want some water?” asked the waiter, filling his glass and Hodges -thought of the splashing sound and of Bervick coming back into the -salon alone. - -“What’s the matter with you?” asked the dark Lieutenant. - -“Nothing’s the matter with me. What’s on at the show tonight?” - - -iii - -Bervick came into Evans’ cabin. It was seven o’clock and Evans was -still asleep. - -“Hey,” said Bervick, and he shook him. - -“What’s the matter?” Evans sat up in bed. - -“Nothing’s the matter. Just thought I’d see if you were up.” - -“Well, I’m not up.” Evans stretched out again in his bunk. For a moment -he lay there quietly, his eyes half shut. He enjoyed the gentle rocking -of the ship. - -“Get me a cigarette,” he said finally. Bervick felt in his pocket and -brought out a crumpled pack. He took out a cigarette, lit it, and -handed it to Evans. - -“Thanks,” grunted Evans. He inhaled the smoke comfortably. Then he -began to think. When he awakened in the morning he always knew if -something pleasant or unpleasant was supposed to happen to him. Today -he felt would be a pleasant day. - -“What you got on your mind?” Evans asked. - -“Nothing, nothing at all.” - -“That’s what I thought. What’re you doing up so early?” - -“Just messing around, that’s all. I couldn’t sleep.” - -“You never do sleep in the morning. You’ve probably got a guilty -conscience.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“Well,” Evans looked at him a little surprised, “well, I don’t know -what I mean, do you?” - -“How should I?” - -“This isn’t making much sense.” - -Bervick agreed. Evans looked at him thoughtfully. He had been acting -strangely lately, ever since the Chief had disappeared. Evans wondered -absently if Bervick might not have had something to do with Duval’s -death. He examined the idea with interest. Bervick might have hit him -on the head with a hammer and then he might have dropped him overboard. -That was not at all unlikely. Evans smiled. - -“What’s so funny?” - -“Nothing, nothing at all. I was just thinking.” - -“What about?” - -“I was thinking what a funny thing it would be if you’d knocked the -Chief on the head and tossed him overboard.” - -“Well, I didn’t,” said Bervick. His voice was even. “Don’t know that I -wouldn’t have liked to.” - -“It doesn’t make much difference one way or the other,” said Evans, -quite sure now that Bervick had killed Duval. “It doesn’t make no -difference at all. He was better off out of the way. Guys’ve been -knocked off before. Nicer people than the Chief have been knocked off.” - -“I thought about doing it a lot, but I didn’t do anything to him. He -just lost his balance.” - -“You saw it then?” - -Bervick nodded slowly. “Yeah, I saw him fall off.” - -“Well, don’t tell me any more about it. I don’t want to know.” - -“What’re you going to tell the investigating people?” - -“That I don’t know nothing about what happened, and that’s what you’re -going to tell them, too.” - -“You think I should?” - -“I sure do.” Evans made smoke-rings. He was surprised at how easily -he was able to take all this. He felt certain that Bervick had been -responsible for the Chief’s death. He should report what he knew but he -would not. He would rather protect Bervick. Duval was dead now and he -saw no reason why anyone else should be hurt. - -“You know I didn’t push him,” said Bervick. He looked strained, Evans -thought. - -“O.K., then you didn’t. I don’t care.” - -“I just want you to get that clear. I didn’t push him or do anything -else. He just lost his balance.” - -“I believe you,” said Evans, and he almost did. - -“I don’t want to talk about this any more. Is that all right with you?” - -“Sure it is. You know what my report’s going to be. Let’s forget about -it.” - -“Fine.” Bervick looked better already, and Evans wondered if perhaps -Bervick was telling the truth. Evans puffed on his cigarette. He was -not curious to know what had happened and he would probably never know. -It was Bervick’s business, not his. - -“Going to see the Major this morning?” - -Evans groaned. “I suppose I have to.” He got out of bed and shivered -in the cold room. He always slept naked, even in winter. Quickly he -dressed himself. Then he looked at himself in the mirror. He looked -scrofulous. Evans was not sure what the word meant, but it had been -going through his mind for several days and the sound of it was most -descriptive. From time to time he would mutter the word to himself. -Evans combed his hair and reminded himself again that he would have to -get a haircut soon. - -“Are you ready?” asked Bervick, who had been watching him impatiently. - -“All ready.” Evans put on his cap and they left the cabin and the -wheelhouse. - -One of the deckhands was out on deck trying to tack another piece of -canvas over the hole where one of the forward ventilators had been. As -Evans and Bervick went by him, he asked, “Say, Skipper, do you know -what happened to the hammer? The one we keep in the lazaret.” - -“No, I don’t. It was in there last I heard. You know anything about it, -Bervick?” - -“I used a hammer to fix the ventilator the other night. I stuck it back -in the lazaret.” - -“Well, it ain’t there now.” - -“You better look again,” said Evans. - -“It ain’t there.” The man turned back to his work and Evans and Bervick -climbed up on the dock. - -Evans chuckled and Bervick said nothing. - -They walked past the warehouses and the docks. Bervick was very quiet -and Evans did not bother him. - -He looked at the sky and saw that the gray clouds were beginning to -thin. Perhaps they would have a good day, one of those days when the -sky was blue and the sun shone clearly. He watched the sea gulls dart -and glide in the windless air. - -Evans wondered what the Major would have to say about the -investigation. He hoped there would not be too many questions. He was -afraid Bervick would say the wrong thing. - -A truck stopped for them and they got into the back. - -“I don’t think Barkison’s going to be too much bother,” said Evans. “I -think he’ll help us out.” - -“I hope so. Not that we’ve got anything to hide from him, much.” - -“Sure, that’s right. We haven’t got anything to hide.” - -The truck stopped at the Headquarters and they jumped out. - -They entered a large well-lighted room, full of clerks and typewriters -and file cases and all the necessary impedimenta of waging war. - -Evans asked an effeminate-looking Corporal where he might find the -Adjutant’s office. - -“Right down the hall, sir. First door on the left, sir.” The man -emphasized the “sir” in an irritating manner. - -Evans and Bervick walked down the corridor. The anteroom to the -Adjutant’s office was smaller than the room they had just left. Several -clerks and several Lieutenants had desks here. On the walls were charts -of as many things as it was possible to chart or graph. - -Evans noticed that one of the empty desks had the sign “Lt Hodges” on -it. - -“Can I help you, sir?” asked a clerk. - -“Yes, I’d like to see Major Barkison.” - -“You mean _Colonel_ Barkison.” - -“When was he promoted?” - -“Well, he got it yesterday. You’re the Master of the boat he was on, -aren’t you?” - -“That’s right.” - -“I think he’s expecting you. Wait here please.” The man went into the -adjoining office and came out a moment later. “Colonel Barkison is busy -right now. He’ll see you in a few minutes. Why don’t you sit down?” - -“O.K.” Evans sat in Hodges’ chair and Bervick sat on the desk. - -“Quite an office Barkison’s got here,” commented Bervick. - -“Yeah, I’d go crazy in a job like this, though. He sits on his butt all -day long.” - -“I’d sure like to make the money he makes.” - -“You could make more fishing.” - -“Could be.” They waited for fifteen minutes. Then Lt Hodges came out of -Barkison’s office. - -“How are you?” he greeted them. “You can go in now.” - -“Thanks.” - -Lt Colonel Barkison was sitting behind his desk, his mouth firm and -his jaw set as he shuffled some papers. He looked up as they came in. -Evans and Bervick did not salute and Evans was not quite sure whether -Barkison was disappointed or not. - -“Good morning, Evans, Bervick. How’s your boat today?” - -“Just fine, Colonel.” - -“Good.” Barkison did not invite them to sit down and that irritated -Evans. - -“About this investigation....” Barkison began. He paused and seemed to -be thinking. Then he said, “I’ve been appointed Investigating Officer.” - -“Is that right, sir? I thought they would hold the investigation at -Andrefski.” - -“Normally they would, but you’re not going back there. We just got -word from Andrefski that you’re to proceed straight to Seward for -repairs.” Barkison smiled. “Maybe you’ll even get to Seattle.” - -“That’s the best news I’ve heard,” said Evans, delighted. Bervick -agreed with him. - -“So,” Barkison frowned, “I’ve been made Investigating Officer.” He -paused again, then he confided, “I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. -I’ll take statements from you two and some others who might have seen -Duval. We’ll do all that tomorrow. From what I’ve already gathered I -feel that nothing new will turn up. So I can tell you _now_ that I’m -going to report plain accident in line of duty.” - -“I’m glad it’ll be as simple as that,” said Evans, not knowing what -else to say. - -“I feel you’ve had enough trouble without an unpleasant investigation,” -said Barkison and Evans noticed that he was careful not to look at -Bervick. - -“Thank you, sir.” - -“Don’t mention it. I’m quite appreciative of what you, ah, did. I’m not -quite sure in my mind, however, that it was a wise thing to do, to take -a ship out in such bad weather.” - -Evans was surprised and a little angry. “What do you mean, Major, I -mean Colonel?” - -“Nothing at all, except that some might say, now mind you I don’t, but -some might say you showed bad judgment.” - -“I don’t know what you’re talking about, sir. You insisted on the trip. -I said that we were taking a chance, that was all.” Evans tried to keep -the anger out of his voice. - -“I quite understand, Mr Evans,” said Barkison coldly, beginning to -shuffle his papers again. “I shall see you tomorrow.” - -“Yes, sir.” Bervick saluted and Evans did not as they left Barkison’s -office. - -“Well,” said Bervick when they were outside the Adjutant’s office, -“there goes that medal of yours.” - -“I’d like to knock that little bastard’s head in,” said Evans with -feeling. “Did you hear him say I showed bad judgment?” - -“Well, he had to pass the buck; I mean, it would look bad if people -heard he insisted on taking this trip in such bad weather. He just -wants to cover himself.” - -“That man sure changed from what he was on the boat.” - -“He’s just acting natural.” - -Hodges came into the outer office as they were about to leave. - -“What’s new?” he asked. - -“Not a thing,” said Evans. - -“How long you going to be around?” - -“A few more days, maybe. Were going to Seward.” - -“So I heard. That’s a good deal.” - -“I’ll say.” - -“Well, I’ll be seeing you around,” said Hodges. He looked at Bervick a -moment and he seemed about to say something. Then he decided not to. -“See you,” he said. - -They said goodbye and went outside. - -“What’s the matter with Junior?” asked Evans. “He looked at you sort of -queerly.” - -“He’s got too much imagination, I guess.” - -“Is that it?” - -“That’s it.” Bervick smiled. - -The sky was blue and clear now and the sun shone on the white -mountains. They walked back to the ship. - - -THE END - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: - - - Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. - - Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILLIWAW *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Williwaw</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>A Novel</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Gore Vidal</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: November 7, 2021 [eBook #66691]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Tim Lindell, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILLIWAW ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/cover.jpg" width="40%" alt="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<h1>WILLIWAW</h1> - -<p class="ph1"><i>A Novel</i></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_title.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -<div class="titlepage"> - -<p class="ph1">WILLIWAW</p> -<p>A NOVEL</p> - -<p>By<br /> - -GORE VIDAL</p> - -<p>1946<br /> - -E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY, INC.<br /> - -NEW YORK</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center"><i>Copyright, 1946, by E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc.</i></p> - - -<p class="center"><i>All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.</i></p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_copyright.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<p class="center">FIRST EDITION</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p><span class="allsmcap">NO PART</span> <i>of this book may be reproduced -in any form without permission in writing -from the publisher, except by a reviewer -who wishes to quote brief passages in connection -with a review written for inclusion in -magazine or newspaper or radio broadcast</i>.</p> -</div> - -<p class="center"><i>American Book—Stratford Press, Inc., New York</i></p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center"><i>For Nina</i></p> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="blockquot"> -<p><span class="smcap">Note</span>: <i>Williwaw is the Indian word for a big wind peculiar -to the Aleutian islands and the Alaskan coast. -It is a strong wind that sweeps suddenly down from -the mountains toward the sea. The word williwaw, -however, is now generally used to describe any big -and sudden wind. It is in this last and more colloquial -sense that I have used the term.</i></p> - - -<p class="right">G.V.</p> -</div></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center">All of the characters, all of the events and -most of the places in this book are fictitious.</p> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="ph1">WILLIWAW<br /> - -<i>A Novel</i></p> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>Chapter One</i></h2> -</div> - - -<h3>i</h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">Someone</span> turned on the radio in the wheelhouse. A loud -and sentimental song awakened him. He lay there for a -moment in his bunk and stared at the square window in -the wall opposite him. A sea gull flew lazily by the window. -He watched it glide back and forth until it was out -of sight.</p> - -<p>He yawned and became conscious of an ache behind -his eyes. There had been a party, he remembered. He felt -sick. The radio became louder as the door to his cabin -opened. A brown Indian face looked in at him.</p> - -<p>“Hey, Skipper, chow’s ready below.” The face vanished.</p> - -<p>Slowly he got out of his bunk and onto the deck. He -stood in front of the mirror. Cautiously he pressed his -fingers against his eyelids and morbidly enjoyed the pain -it gave him. He noticed his eyes were bloodshot and his -face was grimy. He scowled at himself in the mirror. From -the wheelhouse the sound of Negro music thudded painfully -in his ears.</p> - -<p>“Turn that damn thing off!” he shouted.</p> - -<p>“O.K., Skipper,” his second mate’s voice answered. The -music faded away and he began to dress. The second mate -came into the cabin. “Quite a party, wasn’t it, Mr Evans?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span>Evans grunted. “Some party. What time is it?”</p> - -<p>The mate looked at his watch. “Six-twenty.”</p> - -<p>Evans closed his eyes and began to count to himself: -one, two—he had had four hours and thirty minutes of -sleep. That was too little sleep. The mate was watching -him. “You don’t look so good,” he said finally.</p> - -<p>“I know it.” He picked up his tie. “Anything new? -Weather look all right?”</p> - -<p>The mate sat down on the bunk and ran his hands -through his hair. It was an irritating habit. His hair was -long and the color of mouldering straw; when he relaxed -he fingered it. On board a ship one noticed such things.</p> - -<p>“Weather looks fine. A little wind from the south but -not enough to hurt. We scraped some paint off the bow -last night. I guess we were too close to that piling.” He -pushed back his hair and left it alone. Evans was glad of -that.</p> - -<p>“We’ll have to paint the whole ship this month anyway.” -Evans buttoned the pockets of his olive-drab shirt. -High-ranking officers were apt to criticize, even in the -Aleutians. He pinned the Warrant Officer insignia on his -collar. His hands shook.</p> - -<p>Bervick watched him. “You really had some party, I -guess.”</p> - -<p>“That’s right. Joe’s going back to the States on rotation. -We were celebrating. It was some party all right.” Evans -rubbed his eyes. “Have you had chow yet, Bervick?”</p> - -<p>The mate, Bervick, nodded. “I had it with the cooks. -I’ve been around since five.” He stood up. He was shorter -than Evans and Evans was not tall. Bervick was lightly -built; he had large gray Norwegian eyes, and there were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> -many fine lines about his eyes. He was an old seaman at -thirty.</p> - -<p>“I think I’ll go below now,” said Evans. He stepped out -of his cabin and into the wheelhouse, glancing automatically -at the barometer. The needle pointed between Fair -and Change; this was usual. He went below. At the end -of the companionway, the doors to the engine room were -open and the generator was going. The twin Diesel engines -were silent. He went into the galley.</p> - -<p>John Smith, the Indian cook, was kneading dough. He -was a bad cook from southeastern Alaska. Cooks of any -kind were scarce, though, and Evans was glad to have -even this bad one.</p> - -<p>“What’s new?” asked Evans, preparing to listen to -Smitty’s many troubles.</p> - -<p>“The new cook.” Smitty pointed to a fat man in a white -apron gathering dishes in the dining salon.</p> - -<p>“What’s wrong now?”</p> - -<p>“I ask him to wash dishes last night. It was his turn, -but he won’t do nothing like that. So I tell him what I -think. I tell him off good, but he no listen. I seen everything -now....” Smitty’s black eyes glittered as he talked. -Evans stopped him.</p> - -<p>“O.K. I’ll talk to him.” He went into the dining salon. -Here two tables ran parallel to the bulkheads. One table -was for the crew; the other for the ship’s officers and the -engineers. The crew’s table was empty; only the Chief -Engineer, Duval, sat at the other table.</p> - -<p>“Morning, Skipper,” he said. He was an older man. His -hair was gray and black in streaks. It was clipped very -short. His nose was long and hooked and his mouth was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> -wide but not pleasant. Duval was a New Orleans Frenchman.</p> - -<p>“Good morning, Chief. Looks like everybody’s up early -today.”</p> - -<p>“Yeah, I guess they are at that.” The Chief cleared his -throat. He waited for a comment. There was none. Then -he remarked casually, “I guess it’s because they all heard -we was going to Arunga. I guess that’s just a rumor.” He -looked at his fork. Evans could see that he was anxious -to know if they were leaving. The Chief would never ask -a direct question, though.</p> - -<p>The fat cook put a plate of eggs in front of Evans and -poured him some black coffee. The cook’s hand was unsteady -and the coffee spilled on the table. The cook -ignored the puddle of coffee, and went back into the -galley.</p> - -<p>Evans watched the brown liquid drip slowly off onto -the deck. Dreamily he made patterns with his forefinger. -He thought of Arunga island. Finally he said, “I wonder -where they pick up rumors like that?”</p> - -<p>“Just about anywhere,” said the Chief. “They probably -figured we was going there because that’s our port’s headquarters -and the General’s Adjutant is here and they say -he’s breaking his back to get back fast and that there -aren’t no planes flying out for a week. We’re the only ship -in the harbor that could take him to Arunga.”</p> - -<p>“That sounds pretty interesting,” said Evans and he began -to eat. Duval scowled and pushed back his chair from -the table. He stood up and stretched himself. “Arunga’s a -nice trip anyway.” He waited for a remark. Again there -was none. “Think I’ll go look at the engines.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span>Evans smiled as he left. Duval did not think highly of -him. Evans was easily half the Chief Engineer’s age and -that meant trouble. The Chief thought that age was a substitute -for both brains and experience; Evans could not -like that idea. He knew, however, that he would eventually -have to tell the Chief that they were leaving for -Arunga.</p> - -<p>Evans ate quickly. He noticed that the first mate’s place -was untouched. He would have to speak to him again -about getting up earlier.</p> - -<p>Breakfast over, he left the salon by the after door. He -stood on the stern and breathed deeply. The sky was gray. -A filmy haze hung over the harbor and there was no wind. -The water of the harbor was like a dark glass. Overhead -the sea gulls darted about, looking for scraps on the water. -A quiet day for winter in these islands.</p> - -<p>Evans climbed over the starboard side and stepped -down on the dock. There were two large warehouses on -the dock. They were military and impermanent. Several -power barges were moored near his ship and he would -have to let his bow swing far out when they left; mechanically, -he figured time and distance.</p> - -<p>Longshoremen in soiled blue coveralls were loading the -barges, and the various crews, civilians and soldiers mixed, -were preparing to cast off for their day’s work in the -harbor.</p> - -<p>A large wooden-faced Indian skipper shouted at Evans -from the wheelhouse of one of the barges. Evans shouted -back a jovial curse; then he turned and walked across the -dock to the shore.</p> - -<p>Andrefski Bay was the main harbor for this Aleutian<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> -island. The bay was well protected, and, though not large, -there were no reefs or shallow places in the main part of -the harbor. No trees grew on the island. The only vegetation -was a coarse brown turf which furred the low hills -that edged the bay. Beyond these low hills were high, -sharp and pyramidal mountains, blotched with snow.</p> - -<p>Evans looked at the mountains but did not see them. -He had seen them many times before and they were of -no interest to him now. He never noticed them. He -thought of the trip to Arunga. A good trip to make, a long -one, three days, that was the best thing about going. He -had found that when they were too much in port everyone -got a little bored and irritable. A change would be good -now.</p> - -<p>Someone called his name. He looked behind him. The -second mate, Bervick, was hurrying toward him.</p> - -<p>“Going over to the office, Skipper?” he asked, when he -had caught up.</p> - -<p>“That’s right. Going to pick up our orders.”</p> - -<p>“Arunga?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.” They walked on together.</p> - -<p>The second mate was not wearing his Technical Sergeant’s -stripes. Evans hoped the Adjutant would not mind. -One could never tell about these Headquarters people. -He would warn Bervick later.</p> - -<p>They walked slowly along the black volcanic ash roadway. -At various intervals there were wooden huts and -warehouses. Between many of the buildings equipment -was piled, waiting to be shipped out.</p> - -<p>“It’s been almost a year since we was to Arunga,” remarked -Bervick.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span>“That’s right.”</p> - -<p>“Have we got some new charts?”</p> - -<p>“We got them last fall, remember?”</p> - -<p>“I guess I forgot.” A large truck went by them and they -stood in the shallow gutter until it had passed.</p> - -<p>“You seen the sheep woman lately?” asked Evans.</p> - -<p>The sheep woman was the only woman on the island. -She was a Canadian who helped run the sheep ranch in -the interior. She had been on the island for several years, -and, though middle-aged, stout, and reasonably virtuous, -the rumors about her were damning. It was said that she -charged fifty dollars for her services and everyone thought -that that was too much.</p> - -<p>Bervick shook his head. “I don’t know how she’s doing. -O.K., I suppose. I’m saving up for when we hit the Big -Harbor next. I don’t want nothing to do with her.”</p> - -<p>Evans was interested. “Who’ve you got in mind at Big -Harbor?”</p> - -<p>“Olga.”</p> - -<p>“I thought she was the Chief’s property.”</p> - -<p>Bervick shrugged. “That’s what he says. She’s a good -girl.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose so.”</p> - -<p>“I like her. The Chief’s just blowing.”</p> - -<p>“None of them are worth much trouble.”</p> - -<p>A light rain began to fall. The office was still a half a -mile ahead of them. All the buildings of the port were, for -the sake of protection, far apart.</p> - -<p>“Damn it,” muttered Evans, as the rain splattered in his -face. A truck came up behind them. It stopped and they -climbed into the back. Evans told the driver where they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span> -were going, then he turned to Bervick. “You better pick -up the weather forecast today.”</p> - -<p>“I will. I think it’ll be pretty good.”</p> - -<p>“Hard to say. This is funny weather.”</p> - -<p>The truck let them off at the Army Transport Service -Office. The office was housed in a long, one-storied, gray -building.</p> - -<p>The outer room was large, and here four or five enlisted -men were doing clerical work beneath fluorescent lights. -The walls were decorated with posters warning against -poison gas, faulty camouflage, and venereal disease.</p> - -<p>One of the clerks spoke to Evans. “The Captain’s waiting -for you,” he said.</p> - -<p>“I think I’ll go check with Weather,” said Bervick. “I’ll -see you back to the boat.”</p> - -<p>“Fine.” Evans walked down a corridor to the Captain’s -office.</p> - -<p>A desk and three neat uncomfortable chairs furnished -the room. On the walls were pictures of the President, several -Generals, and several nudes. The nudes usually came -down during inspections.</p> - -<p>The Captain was sitting hunched over his desk. He was -a heavy man with large features. He was smoking a pipe -and talking at the same time to a Major who sat in one of -the three uncomfortable chairs. They looked up as Evans -entered.</p> - -<p>“Hello there, Skipper,” said the Captain and he took his -pipe out of his mouth. “I want you to meet an old friend -of mine, Major Barkison.”</p> - -<p>The Major stood up and shook hands with Evans. “Glad -to know you, Mister....”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span>“Evans.”</p> - -<p>“Mister Evans. It looks as if you’ll be pressed into service.”</p> - -<p>“Yes it does ... sir.” He added the “sir” just in case.</p> - -<p>“I hope the trip will be a calm one,” remarked the -Major with a smile.</p> - -<p>“It should be.” Evans relaxed. The Major seemed to be -human.</p> - -<p>Major Barkison was a West Pointer and quietly proud -of the fact. Though not much over thirty he was already -bald. He had a Roman nose, pale blue eyes, and a firm -but small chin. He looked like the Duke of Wellington. -Knowing this, he hoped that someone might someday -mention the resemblance; no one ever did, though.</p> - -<p>“Sit down here, Evans,” said the Captain, pointing to -one of the chairs. The Major and Evans both sat down. -“We’re sending you out on a little trip to Arunga. Out -west where the deer and submarines play.” He laughed -heartily at his joke. Evans also laughed. The Major did -not.</p> - -<p>The Major said, “How long will the trip take you?”</p> - -<p>“That’s hard to say.” Evans figured for a moment in his -head. “Seventy hours is about average. We can’t tell until -we know the weather.”</p> - -<p>Barkison nodded and said nothing.</p> - -<p>The Captain blew a smoke ring and watched it float -ceilingward, his little eyes almost shut. “The weather reports -are liable to be pretty lousy,” he said at last.</p> - -<p>Barkison nodded again. “Yes, that’s right. That’s why I -can’t fly out of here for at least a week. Everything’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> -grounded. That’s why I can’t get out of here. It is imperative -that I get back to Headquarters.”</p> - -<p>“The war would stop if you didn’t get back, wouldn’t -it, Major?” The Captain said this jovially but Evans -thought there was malice in what he said.</p> - -<p>“What do you mean, Captain?” said the Major stiffly.</p> - -<p>“Nothing at all, sir. I was just joking. A bad habit of -ours here.” Evans smiled to himself. He knew that the -Captain did not like regular army men. The Captain had -been in the grain business and he was proud that he made -more money than the men in the regular army. They did -not understand business and the Captain did. This made -a difference. The Major frowned.</p> - -<p>“I have to get my reports in, you know. You understand -that, of course. You know I would never have a boat -sent out in weather like this unless it were important. This -weather precludes air travel,” he added somewhat pompously, -enjoying the word “preclude.” It had an official -sound.</p> - -<p>“Certainly, Major.” The Captain turned to Evans. “From -what I gather the trip shouldn’t be too bad, a little rough -perhaps, but then it usually is. You had better put into the -Big Harbor tomorrow and get a weather briefing there. I -got some cargo for them, too. I told the boys to load you -up today.” He paused to chew on his pipe. “By the way,” -he said in a different voice, “how do you feel after our -little party last night?”</p> - -<p>Evans grimaced. “Not very good. The stuff tasted like -raisin jack.”</p> - -<p>“You should know.” The Captain laughed loudly and -winked. Barkison looked pained. He cleared his throat.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span>“I guess you people have a hard time getting liquor up -here.” He tried to sound like one of the boys and failed.</p> - -<p>“We manage.” The Captain chuckled.</p> - -<p>The door opened. A young and pink-faced Lieutenant -looked doubtfully about the room until he saw the Major.</p> - -<p>“Come in, Lieutenant,” said the Major.</p> - -<p>“Lieutenant Hodges, this is Mr Evans.” The two shook -hands and sat down. The young Lieutenant was very -solemn.</p> - -<p>“Is there anything new on our leaving, sir?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Barkison. “Weather permitting, we’ll leave -tomorrow morning. We should be back ... how long did -you say?”</p> - -<p>“Maybe three days, maybe less,” Evans answered.</p> - -<p>“Isn’t that awfully long, sir? I mean we have to be back -day after tomorrow.”</p> - -<p>The Major shrugged. “Nothing we can do about it. -There are no planes going out for an indefinite period.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” the Captain stood up and Evans did the same, -“you had better check on the weather and take water and -do whatever else you have to do. You’ll definitely leave -tomorrow morning and you’ll stop off at the Big Harbor. -See you later today.” He turned to the Major. “If you’d -like to move aboard tonight....”</p> - -<p>“Oh no, never mind. We’ll move on tomorrow.”</p> - -<p>“O.K., be seeing you, Evans.”</p> - -<p>Evans muttered that he had been pleased to meet them -and left the room. As he walked down the corridor he -wondered if Bervick would be able to understand the -weather chart. He decided not.</p> - -<p>Outside, the rain had stopped. The wind was cooler and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span> -more brisk. Evans walked toward a half-barrel-shaped -hut: the weather office. Ravens glided heavily around -him, their black feathers glistening bluely in the pale -light. High above him he could make out an eagle flying -northward.</p> - -<p>Inside the weather office a Master Sergeant was handling -the maps and charts. The weather officer had not -come in yet.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Mr Evans.”</p> - -<p>“Hello, has Bervick been here?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, he just now left. I think he’s gone to get some -paint over to Supply.”</p> - -<p>“I see. What’s the deal on the weather?”</p> - -<p>The Sergeant shuffled his papers. “It’s hard to say. If -the wind shifts around to the north, and it looks like it -will, you’ll be fine.”</p> - -<p>“Is there much wind outside the harbor?”</p> - -<p>“There’s some.”</p> - -<p>“Much wind? Thirty mile an hour? Is it more?”</p> - -<p>“Damned if I can tell. You’re leaving tomorrow, aren’t -you?”</p> - -<p>“That’s right.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’ll check with the Navy boys and get in touch -with you later. This isn’t a good month for travelling the -Chain.”</p> - -<p>“I know. Is that the weather chart you got there?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.” The Sergeant pushed the chart at him. Evans -pretended to study it. Actually he knew very little about -reading these charts. He knew from practical experience, -though, that they were often wrong.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span>“It’ll probably be rough, Mr Evans.”</p> - -<p>“That’s nothing new. You say Bervick’s at Supply?”</p> - -<p>“I think so.”</p> - -<p>“O.K., and thanks a lot. I’ll see you when you have -some more dope.” Evans went out. He stood for a while -watching the power barges, blunt-nosed and slab-like, -move back and forth across the harbor. There were -rumors that the port of Andrefski was to be closed soon -and only the inland air base would be kept going. Many -men had already been moved out, only a few hundred -were left now. On the rocky, moonstone and agate littered -beach, lumber was piled, waiting to be loaded on the -Liberty ship, edged grayly against the main dock. This -ship was the largest in the harbor and it made the other -boats look like toys in a bathtub.</p> - -<p>A jeep, with an awkward plywood body tacked onto it, -rode by and splashed him with mud from the side of the -road. Evans swore at the driver. Then he walked along -the road, keeping close to the pebbled embankment. -There was quite a lot of traffic at this time of day.</p> - -<p>The Supply warehouse was large and gloomy and -empty-looking. He walked around to the side of the building -and went inside. He could hear Bervick’s voice. “Come -on, you can give us six gallons. Christ, you have the stuff -piled up all around.”</p> - -<p>Another voice answered, “Sorry, three’s all you get.”</p> - -<p>“Why that’s....” Evans walked up to them. Bervick -was holding three gallon cans of paint.</p> - -<p>Evans grinned, “That’ll do us fine, Bervick. Are you -through here?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span>“I guess so.”</p> - -<p>“Well, let’s get on back to the ship.” Bervick picked up -two of the cans and Evans took the other.</p> - -<p>A thin drizzle was beginning to cloud the air.</p> - -<p>“Nice day,” said Bervick.</p> - -<p>“Yes, nice day. All days are nice here. We go to the Big -Harbor tomorrow.”</p> - -<p>“And from there to Arunga?”</p> - -<p>“That’s right. We got some rank to carry.”</p> - -<p>“Who? I heard the Chaplain might come.”</p> - -<p>“That’s a new one. I hadn’t heard about him. We’ve got -a Major who is the Adjutant at Arunga, and a Lieutenant.”</p> - -<p>“Any cargo?”</p> - -<p>“Some for the Big Harbor. That’s all.”</p> - -<p>They walked along the road, their feet grinding the wet -cinder-like surface. Sea gulls circled high above them, a -sign of bad weather according to the Indians. Among the -sharp rocks the ravens croaked drearily. Silently they -walked back to the ship.</p> - -<p>Two of the men were hosing down the deck. The sea -water from their hoses made a drumming sound as it shot -across the decks.</p> - -<p>Evans was surprised. “The first time they’ve ever done -this without being told.”</p> - -<p>Bervick laughed, “The crew knew we were going before -you did.”</p> - -<p>“They usually do.”</p> - -<p>They climbed aboard. Bervick went aft with the -paint. Evans opened the door to the dining salon and -stepped inside.</p> - -<p>The Chief, sitting on one of the tables, was smoking a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> -cigar. Down the companionway, Evans could see the two -assistant engineers working on the auxiliary.</p> - -<p>“What’s new, Skipper?” asked Duval.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Chief. Your boys pretty busy?”</p> - -<p>“Yeah, getting ready for the big trip. Lucky we took -fuel last week.”</p> - -<p>“It was.”</p> - -<p>“When we leaving?” The Chief asked one of his few -direct questions.</p> - -<p>“Tomorrow morning.”</p> - -<p>“Straight to Arunga, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>“No, we’re going to the Big Harbor first. We go on from -there.”</p> - -<p>“I guess I’ll be able to see Olga then.” The Chief -grinned.</p> - -<p>Evans looked at him. “What about Bervick?”</p> - -<p>“What about him?” The Chief was not interested and -they said nothing for a few moments. Then he said, “I -hear the Chaplain’ll be with us.”</p> - -<p>“So I’ve heard. I guess the Captain will tell me about it -later.”</p> - -<p>“Probably. I got to get to work.” The Chief slid off the -table and walked toward the engine room. Evans could -hear the sound of his voice as he talked with his assistants. -Evans knew he was telling them that they were going west -to Arunga as he had said they would. Evans walked into -the galley. The cook, John Smith, was scrubbing pans. He -was alone in the galley.</p> - -<p>“How’s it going, Smitty? Where’s your helper?”</p> - -<p>Smitty put down the kettle he was scrubbing. “Gone,” -he said with suppressed drama. “I seen everything now.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span> -What does this guy do? Does this guy help in here? No. -He go down and lay on his fat butt. I’m going to get off -this boat. I seen everything. He won’t work, won’t do -nothing....”</p> - -<p>“I’ll talk to him, Smitty.” That was always a good promise -to make. Smitty would be mad at something else the -next day anyway. “By the way,” he added, “have you got -enough rations to get us to Arunga? We’re going to have -three passengers.”</p> - -<p>Smitty gasped. His lean ugly brown face was contorted -with grief. “I seen <i>everything</i> now.” He spoke softly as if -he were praying. “I got no bread. I got no meat. I got -no nothing now. How,” his voice rose to a wail, “how am I -going to feed the crew? I make no bread on the water. -They eat out of cans, that’s all.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you work it out and get what you need. We’ll -leave tomorrow at eight.”</p> - -<p>Smitty muttered to himself. Evans went up to the -wheelhouse.</p> - -<p>Bervick was standing over the chart table: a chart of -all the islands in the Aleutian Chain before him. He was -squinting thoughtfully and carefully measuring out a -course.</p> - -<p>“Think you can get us there?” asked Evans.</p> - -<p>“What? Oh sure, I was just checking the old course. -Last time we ran too close to shore off Kulak.”</p> - -<p>“I remember. We’ll work out a course over at the Big -Harbor.” The salt spray from the hoses splattered the -wheelhouse windows. “That reminds me, you better get -some water. We’re pretty low.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span>“O.K.” Bervick put the chart in a drawer under the -table and left the wheelhouse.</p> - -<p>Evans looked out the window. He could think of nothing -very important to be done before they sailed. They -had fuel. Smitty would get rations. The charts were up to -date. He rubbed his face to see if he needed a shave. He -did.</p> - -<p>Evans went into his cabin and turned on the water in -his basin. He noticed that his eyes looked a little better, -though they still hurt him. He sighed and tried to look at -his profile in the glass. This he knew would exercise his -eyes, also in the back of his mind he wondered if he -might not be able to see his profile. He had seen it once -in a tailor’s three-way mirror. He had been greatly interested, -and he hoped vaguely that he might see it again -sometime. Strange things like that obsessed people who -had been to sea for a long time.</p> - -<p>Someone turned on the radio. A deep sterile radio voice -staccatoed in the air for a moment and was gone. The air -was filled with static, and then the voice came back again. -Evans could not make out what the voice was saying but -he could guess from the tone that our “forces were smashing -ahead on all fronts”: the usual thing. He was bored -by the war.</p> - -<p>Methodically he shaved himself. He wondered who had -turned on the radio. Probably Martin, his first mate.</p> - -<p>A light wisp of fog came into the room through the -half-open window; quickly Evans shut it. He shivered. -The cold was penetrating.</p> - -<p>“I’m cold as gold is old,” he muttered to himself. It was -a jingle that went occasionally through his mind. For several<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> -years he had known it. Queer phrases and jingles -often came to him when he had been too much alone. -Sometimes they worried him. Evans often wondered if he -might not be a little crazy. They say, though, that when -you are crazy you never know it, he thought. There was -consolation in that and he murmured again to himself, -“I’m cold as gold is old.” Then he finished shaving.</p> - -<p>He looked much older than twenty-five, he noticed, -looking at himself intently in the mirror. When he was -eighteen he had worked alone in a lighthouse. He used -often to look at himself in the mirror then. He felt less -alone when he did that and the habit had stayed with -him. He yawned and turned away from the mirror. Neatly -he put his shaving equipment away, then he sat down at -his desk and looked at the papers on it. Most of the papers -were memorandums from the Headquarters. He pushed -them to one side.</p> - -<p>In his desk drawer was a quart of bourbon. He wondered -if he should take a swallow, a small one, enough to -take away the ache behind his eyes. Evans reached for -the drawer. Before he could open it, Martin walked into -the cabin. Martin never knocked.</p> - -<p>“Good morning,” said Evans and he tried to sound sarcastic.</p> - -<p>“Hail to the Chief,” said Martin, eying Evans’ hand on -the liquor drawer. “Starting in early, aren’t you?”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean? Oh, this,” Evans withdrew his -hand quickly. “I was just looking for something.”</p> - -<p>“So I see.” The first mate smiled, showing all his teeth. -He was a year younger than Evans, but looked even -younger than he was. He had a carefully studied collegiate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span> -manner though he had never been to a college. John Martin -had been one of the numerous unpromising young -actors in a New England stock company. He was dark -and nearly handsome. His voice was deep, interesting and -mocking. He knew nothing about being a mate.</p> - -<p>“Did you just get up?” Evans asked, knowing that he -had.</p> - -<p>“Why yes—the party, you know. I felt I should sleep. -The ravell’d sleave, you know.” He spoke with a pseudo-British -accent which he knew irritated Evans.</p> - -<p>“Well, go get on down below and make sure they take -water,” Evans snapped.</p> - -<p>“Right you are, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Can the funny stuff. We’re going to the Big Harbor -tomorrow.”</p> - -<p>“Any passengers?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, the Adjutant at Arunga, a Lieutenant and the -Chaplain.”</p> - -<p>“That sounds gay. When’re we going to haul another -group of USO girls?” Martin winked in what he would -have called a roguish manner. Evans had once become too -interested in a USO girl on tour.</p> - -<p>Evans murmured, “Not for a while.” He turned away -and played with the papers on his desk. He tried to think -of something for Martin to do. “You might,” he finally -said, “go see the Chaplain and find out when he’s coming -aboard. Also, you’d better get hold of a copy of the special -orders with his name on them. The Captain forgot to tell -me he was going.”</p> - -<p>“Fine.” Martin started to go. “By the way,” he said, and -Evans knew and dreaded what he was going to say, “how<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span> -do you feel after the party last night? You don’t look so -good.”</p> - -<p>“I feel awful. Now go get to work.”</p> - -<p>Martin left and Evans rested his head on his arm. He -felt tired. The ship was unusually still. Far away he could -hear the rasping croak of a raven. He opened the desk -drawer.</p> - - -<h3>ii</h3> - -<p>John Martin walked into the galley.</p> - -<p>“What’s on your mind, Smitty?” he asked. Martin was -always polite with the men and Evans was not. The men -liked Martin better and that was the main reason why -Evans did not like him, or so Martin thought.</p> - -<p>“Nothing on my mind. You want to eat something?”</p> - -<p>“No thanks. I’ll just take a little of this.” He poured himself -some pineapple juice from a large can. Smitty watched -him drink it.</p> - -<p>“What’s on for chow tonight?”</p> - -<p>The Indian’s eyes gleamed. “Vienna sausage and that’s -all I got. I have to go get rations for a whole week now. -I haven’t got no time to make bread or nothing. That -guy,” he pointed upward, “he tell me just today to get this -stuff.”</p> - -<p>“Well, that’s O.K., Smitty,” Martin murmured soothingly, -as he left, “it’ll be all right.”</p> - -<p>On deck he found two of the crew coiling the long -black water hose.</p> - -<p>“Pretty empty, wasn’t she?”</p> - -<p>One of them nodded. He was a heavy blond fellow, a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span> -professional seaman. “Are we going out west?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“That’s right. Leaving tomorrow.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what Bervick said. We didn’t know what he was -bulling or not. Weather don’t look bad.”</p> - -<p>Martin looked at the pale sky. “You can’t ever tell,” he -said.</p> - -<p>“No, you can’t.” They went on coiling the hose.</p> - -<p>Martin walked across the dock. He watched lumber being -loaded onto the Liberty ship by sailors with heavy fantastic -beards. The port was slowly closing down and he, -for one, was not sorry. For a year now he had been at -Andrefski as a first mate. He had fought constantly with -Evans and he had known all the time that Evans was -right: that he was no seaman. Martin had drifted into boat -work in the army. After two years he had been made a -Warrant Officer and assigned to this Freight-Passenger -ship. The whole thing was unreal to him, the Bering Sea, -these boats, the desolate stone islands. He wished he were -in New England and the thought that he would be at least -another year in these islands was maddening.</p> - -<p>Thinking of these things, he walked to the warehouse -where the mail was delivered. A door in the warehouse -opened and Bervick came out. He carried a bundle of letters -in his hand. “Hello, Johnny,” he said. “You up so -soon?”</p> - -<p>Martin smiled. There was no formality between them. -Living together in the same small stateroom they understood -each other well. “I thought a run in the fog would -be just what I needed. Got something for me?”</p> - -<p>Bervick thumbed through the bundle and handed Martin -a letter. “How does it smell?” he asked.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span>Martin inhaled the perfume that had been sprinkled on -the envelope. “Like magnolias,” he said.</p> - -<p>Bervick sniffed. “Smells like a Ketchikan whore to me.”</p> - -<p>“Careful,” said Martin, “speak softly when you speak of -love. Which reminds me, when are they going to load -cargo?”</p> - -<p>“Right after lunch, I suppose. That’s if the longshoremen -can get together long enough to do some work.”</p> - -<p>“Then you’d better move the boom over.”</p> - -<p>“O.K.” Bervick walked away.</p> - -<p>Martin stepped inside the warehouse. Standing close to -the door—there was almost no light in the building—he -read the perfumed letter. She thought a lot about him. -She wondered how he was. She did not go out much. She -wished he were back. She did not go out much, she repeated -that. She wondered if he remembered when.... -Martin folded the letter and put it in his pocket. Her letters -were always the same but she was a nice girl and he -would probably marry her and be bored. He felt sorry for -himself. He looked at the bleak sky and saw that it suited -his mood.</p> - -<p>A blast of damp air came through the door and he buttoned -his parka at the throat. Then, remembering his -errand with the Chaplain, he walked out into the gray -light.</p> - -<p>A mile away on a slight mound was the post chapel. It -was like all other army chapels: box-shaped, with a short -square tower and spire. The building was brown and -looked dingy from camouflage. He walked toward it.</p> - -<p>The wind blew at his back. The wind was rising and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span> -there were whitecaps in the bay. Gulls flew worriedly in -the bedrizzled air.</p> - -<p>A jeep went by him on the road. It stopped and he -climbed in. The Captain was sitting at the wheel, his pipe -firmly between his teeth.</p> - -<p>“How’s the boat business, Martin?” he asked cheerfully.</p> - -<p>“Fine as ever.”</p> - -<p>“Good.” He started the jeep. “Where are you headed?”</p> - -<p>“Over to see the Chaplain. I hear he’s coming with us.”</p> - -<p>“Damn! I knew I forgot to tell Evans something. The -Chaplain’s going with you people. They’re having a meeting -at Arunga and he’s already on orders. Does Evans -know?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, he heard about it.”</p> - -<p>“Grapevine,” the Captain muttered. “I’m going as far as -the Post Exchange. You want out there?”</p> - -<p>“That’ll be fine.”</p> - -<p>The Captain drove deliberately and in silence over the -road. After a few minutes he stopped in front of a long -low building and they both got out. They walked into the -Post Exchange.</p> - -<p>“You getting on all right with Evans?” the Captain -asked.</p> - -<p>“Sure, we’re coming along fine,” Martin said, trying to -sound sincere and succeeding.</p> - -<p>“That’s the way things should be. I’m glad to hear it.”</p> - -<p>The Post Exchange was not yet crowded. A long counter -ran the length of the building and behind the counter -there were shelves of candy, stationery, toilet articles,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> -magazines.... At one end of the building was a barber’s -chair and a soldier barber, and at the other end was a -Coca-Cola machine. Everything was neatly arranged beneath -hard bare electric lights.</p> - -<p>Martin bought a lurid Love magazine. Nothing else -caught his eye and he left.</p> - -<p>He was out of breath when he reached the top of the -mound where the chapel was. A few enlisted men were -wandering about near by, getting up enough nerve to go -in and see the Chaplain and ask for help. This Chaplain -had a reputation for being able to get things done for the -men. The religious aura, however, was unmanning to most -of them.</p> - -<p>The inside of the chapel was quiet and dim and warm. -There was little ornament here, only an altar and plain, -large-windowed walls without color or design. In a small -office to the right of the door, Martin found O’Mahoney, -the Chaplain.</p> - -<p>He was a short squat Irishman with a red-veined nose, -plump cheeks and nearsighted blue eyes. His hair was -thick and dark and looked like a neat wig. His manner was -awkward and friendly. He had been a monk in a Maryland -monastery, and now, in the army, he acted as if he -were playing a part in a bad dream, which perhaps he was.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Father,” said Martin respectfully.</p> - -<p>“How do you do....” O’Mahoney paused with embarrassment. -Martin was not a churchgoer and he did not -recognize him.</p> - -<p>“John Martin, sir,” he said quickly. “I’m the first mate -on the boat that’s taking you to Arunga.”</p> - -<p>O’Mahoney smiled. “Do sit down, Mr Martin,” he invited.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span> -Martin arranged himself with a sigh in a large arm-chair. -He was tired from his walk. For a moment he -breathed the musty leather smell which all churches -seemed to have. O’Mahoney offered him a cigarette. He -refused and said that he did not smoke.</p> - -<p>“A good habit not to have,” said the Chaplain in his -light Irish voice. There was a pause.</p> - -<p>“I wanted to know,” began Martin in a loud voice -which he quickly lowered. He was always conscious of -wrong tones. A loud voice was wrong in a church. “I was -wondering,” he said softly, “when you were planning to -move aboard, tonight or in the morning.”</p> - -<p>“Tomorrow, if that’s convenient.”</p> - -<p>“It will be.” Martin smiled. “You’ll be ready for bad -weather, won’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Bad weather? Is that the report?”</p> - -<p>“Well, yes, but it’s also a joke of ours that whenever we -haul a Chaplain we have bad weather.”</p> - -<p>O’Mahoney chuckled uneasily. “Well, that’s the way -those things go, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, it’s probably just an invitation for you to walk on -the water.”</p> - -<p>“What? Oh, yes.” O’Mahoney was not quite sure if this -was blasphemy or not. He decided it was not. “Are you -Catholic, Mr Martin?” he asked. He usually asked that -question.</p> - -<p>Martin shook his head. “I’m not much of anything,” he -said. He could see that the Chaplain was tempted to inquire -further. He did not, though. Instead he changed the -subject.</p> - -<p>“The Captain at the Transport Office did tell me that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> -the weather might be unreliable at this time of year.”</p> - -<p>“That’s right, but it shouldn’t be bad.” Martin spoke as -if the sea and the weather had no secrets from him. Often -he marveled at how professional he sounded.</p> - -<p>“I’m certainly glad to hear that. I suffer terribly from -<i>mal de mer</i>.” He spoke the French self-consciously and -Martin wondered if he was going to translate it or not. He -decided to save him the trouble.</p> - -<p>“I’m sure you won’t be sick, Father.” Martin got to his -feet. “If you want to send any stuff down tonight, we’ll -stow it for you.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you, but I’ll bring my gear down with me in -the morning.”</p> - -<p>Martin turned to go, then he remembered the orders he -had come to get. “Do you think I could have an extra copy -of your orders? We have to have one, you know.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly.” O’Mahoney handed him a paper from his -desk.</p> - -<p>“Thank you. See you tomorrow.”</p> - -<p>“Aren’t you going to the Captain’s party tonight, Mr -Martin? He’s giving one in his quarters for the Major.”</p> - -<p>“Why, yes, I suppose I will.”</p> - -<p>“See you then.” The Chaplain walked with him to the -door.</p> - - -<h3>iii</h3> - -<p>Bervick and Duval were arguing again. Supper had -been finished and Evans had gone to the wheelhouse. Martin -sat quietly in a corner while the Chief and Bervick -insulted each other. Their arguments were thought very -funny by the rest of the crew. No one took them seriously<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span> -except Martin, and he was not sure if they were serious -or not.</p> - -<p>Olga, a Norwegian girl at the Big Harbor, was the cause -of their trouble. The year before she had come to work in -a restaurant. Because she had let Bervick sleep with her -for nothing, he had decided that it must be love and he -had almost decided to marry her. Then one day he discovered -that she was also seeing Duval and accepting his -money and a great many other people’s money, too. He -had asked her to stop but she was a thrifty girl, supporting -her mother in Canada. She had told him that it was none -of his business. Duval had laughed at him because of this -and he had come to hate Duval and feel that it was his -fault that Olga had changed.</p> - -<p>Somewhat drowsily Martin listened to them talk. This -time they were arguing whether the knife should be set -on the table edge of blade toward the plate or away from -it. Duval claimed the edge should be away from the plate -and Bervick claimed it was toward the plate.</p> - -<p>“I don’t suppose you’d know where it went anyway,” -said Duval bitingly. “You probably always ate with your -hands.”</p> - -<p>This was a hard blow and Bervick countered, “I don’t -guess you ever used anything but a knife to eat with. I’ve -seen <i>cajuns</i> like you before.”</p> - -<p>Duval was proud of his pure French ancestry. He came -from a long-settled New Orleans family and he was sensitive -about being thought a <i>cajun</i>.</p> - -<p>“<i>Cajun</i>, hell,” he said, trying not to sound irritated. -“You wouldn’t know one if you saw one.”</p> - -<p>“I guess I’m talking to one.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span>This was too much. The Chief Engineer remembered his -rank. He stood up. “That’s enough, Sergeant,” he said with -dignity.</p> - -<p>Bervick stood up also. Martin could see he was pleased. -It was always a victory when the Chief fell back on his -rank. “Yes, Warrant Officer Junior Grade Duval,” he said.</p> - -<p>“Better not get so fresh, Sergeant.” The Chief turned to -Martin and said, “Just a little squabble.” Bervick left the -salon, laughing. “Fresh bastard,” muttered the Chief.</p> - -<p>“Oh, he’s all right,” said Martin smoothly. “Just a little -hot-tempered at times.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe that’s it.” Duval sat down on the bench beside -Martin. They looked out the window at the pale gray of -evening. The day was over and the wind had died down.</p> - -<p>“Probably be a strong southwest wind tomorrow,” remarked -Duval.</p> - -<p>“Can’t tell, really.”</p> - -<p>“Thank God we’ve only a few passengers. Every time -it’s rough we have at least forty.”</p> - -<p>“That’s the way it goes.”</p> - -<p>At the other table five deckhands were playing Hearts. -Martin watched them. His thoughts drifted and he saw -stages and heard speeches and listened to the sea. The -sea was becoming a part of himself, and whenever he -relaxed, his mind seemed to be caught up in the restless -tempo of the water and he would become uneasy: at sea -he was always uneasy. He yawned abruptly and cleared -his mind.</p> - -<p>Evans came into the salon. “Say, Mate,” he said, “the -Captain’s giving a party over at his quarters. You and the -Chief want to come?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span>Martin nodded. “I always like free beer.”</p> - -<p>“So do I.” The Chief got to his feet. “I hope he’s got -some bourbon. I haven’t had any good stuff for quite a -while. It gets used up so fast because I always share it.” -The Chief knew of Evans’ liquor and he also knew that -Evans never shared it. Evans looked away.</p> - -<p>“We’d better get started then. The dispatcher’s waiting -outside. He’s going to take us over in his jeep.”</p> - -<p>The Captain’s quarters consisted of two huts knocked -together. Normally three officers lived there, but at the -moment he was alone and had the whole place to himself.</p> - -<p>Several men were already in the room when they entered. -The Captain was fixing drinks behind a bar made -out of a packing case. He grunted at them, his pipe moving -slightly as he greeted them.</p> - -<p>Evans and Duval were jovial in their greetings. Martin -merely smiled. The Chief was on particularly good terms -with the Captain. They were of the same age and had had -many parties together.</p> - -<p>“How does it go, Old Chief?” inquired the Captain, -speaking out of the side of his mouth.</p> - -<p>“Great. We keep the army on the waves.”</p> - -<p>“That’s something. What’ll it be, gentlemen?” While -the others told what they wanted, Martin looked about -him. He had not been in the Captain’s quarters for a long -time. He never liked to seem too close to higher ranking -officers. He was always afraid someone would think he -wanted something.</p> - -<p>The walls were decorated with large paintings of nudes. -They had been done for the Captain by a soldier. A lamp,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> -several chairs, and a bookcase with a few books and a -great many rocks in it furnished this end of the room.</p> - -<p>A Major and a Lieutenant were standing before one of -the paintings. Martin, who did not recognize them, decided -that they must be the passengers for Arunga. In one -corner beside a radio the Chaplain sat, a pale bourbon and -water beside him. He was turning the dial of the radio. -Three officers from the Harbor Craft Detachment made up -the rest of the party.</p> - -<p>“What’ll it be, Martin?” asked the Captain.</p> - -<p>“Beer, if you have it.”</p> - -<p>“Beer! O.K., suit yourself. I’m always glad to save the -real stuff.” He handed Martin a bottle of beer.</p> - -<p>Loud music startled them. The Chaplain looked about -him apologetically and quickly lowered the volume. “Finally -got some music,” he announced. “The static isn’t so -bad tonight.”</p> - -<p>The Major agreed, “Yes, the static’s not bad at all tonight.”</p> - -<p>The Lieutenant remarked that the static had been bad -the night before.</p> - -<p>That, thought Martin, takes care of the static. He often -wondered why people spoke so inanely.</p> - -<p>“These are very interesting works of ... of art, you -have here,” remarked the Major somewhat archly. Martin -could see that he was trying to be a good fellow.</p> - -<p>“Like them?” The Captain came out from behind the -bar. “Had a soldier do them for me. Very talented fellow -he was, too. Quite lifelike, aren’t they?” He winked at the -young Lieutenant, who blushed and looked away. Martin -chuckled and noticed that the Major was smiling, too.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span>The Major said, “Lieutenant Hodges doesn’t care for -modern art.”</p> - -<p>The Captain laughed, “Oh, to be young! Wouldn’t it be -nice, Major, if we were young again.”</p> - -<p>The Major winced slightly. He was not old and did not -like to be thought old, but because he was bald and his -face was lined, people took him to be older than he was. -He did not like that.</p> - -<p>“Youth is very important,” he murmured, paying no attention -to what he was saying.</p> - -<p>“Most important for the future,” agreed the Chaplain.</p> - -<p>Martin was bored by this. He took his beer and sat -down in an easy chair. He drank the beer slowly. It was -green and tasted bitter. He watched Evans and Duval -draw near to the Major. Both were good politicians.</p> - -<p>“It looks as if the war will be over soon,” remarked -Evans, a half-question in his voice.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said the Major. He always said “yes” first, even -when he meant “no.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, it should be over soon, but of course we have no -effective way of gauging the enemy’s rate of attrition. The -attrition rate is important. Attrition can decide wars.” -Martin wondered if he would repeat this last: it sounded -like a maxim. He did not. He continued. “There are only a -few good strategists in the enemy’s army. They could be -named on the fingers of one hand. Most of them know -nothing but frontal attacks.”</p> - -<p>“I guess bombings are messing them up,” suggested -Evans.</p> - -<p>“Wars,” said the Major, “cannot be won by aviation. No -matter what the Air Corps says.” He sounded bitter. Martin<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> -wondered if the Major might not be jealous of the -quick promotions in the Air Corps.</p> - -<p>“I guess that’s right,” Evans agreed.</p> - -<p>Everyone began to talk at once. Evans and the Major -discussed the latest movies. The Chief, who was Catholic, -discussed moral issues with the Chaplain. One always -seemed to discuss such things with Chaplains. The Captain -talked about women and the Lieutenant listened to -him gravely.</p> - -<p>Cigarette smoke was becoming thick in the room. Blue -veils of it floated upward from each smoker. Martin’s eyes -watered. He finished his beer. The radio played on. Music -of every sort swelled in the room. The room was too hot. -The oil-stove in the center was giving off heavy waves of -heat. Martin felt a little drowsy. He wondered if they -would notice it if he shut his eyes for a moment.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Hodges was standing beside his chair, when -he opened his eyes again.</p> - -<p>“Must have been asleep,” Martin mumbled. His eyes -felt heavy. He looked around and saw that the others -obviously had not noticed he had gone to sleep. They -were talking and singing and drinking. There was a strong -barroom odor in the hut. The Chaplain, he noticed, had -gone.</p> - -<p>“Sorry to bother you,” said the Lieutenant. “I didn’t -mean to wake you.”</p> - -<p>“That’s all right. I don’t know what happened to me. I -was just tired, I guess. I’ve had a pretty hard day,” he lied.</p> - -<p>“You’re on the boat that’s taking us west, aren’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. I’m the mate. Martin’s the name.”</p> - -<p>“My name is Hodges. I’m the Major’s assistant.” They<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> -shook hands in the self-conscious manner of people who -have already met.</p> - -<p>There was not much to say. They stood there watching -the others move about. Almost everyone was drunk. Martin -got slowly to his feet. “What time you got?” he asked.</p> - -<p>Hodges looked at his watch carefully. “Eleven fifty-seven.”</p> - -<p>“That’s pretty late for me to be up. I guess I better get -a move on. See you in the morning.”</p> - -<p>“Sure thing. Good night.”</p> - -<p>Martin went over to the corner where Evans, the Major, -and the Captain were singing.</p> - -<p>“I think we’d better head back,” he said, catching Evans -between songs. Evans shook his head. He was drunk.</p> - -<p>“Hell no,” he said. “You go back if you want to. You go -back.”</p> - -<p>Martin shrugged and turned away. The Chief was in a -crap game with an Indian skipper.</p> - -<p>“Can’t leave now,” the Chief said, his eyes on the dice.</p> - -<p>Martin picked up his parka and put it on.</p> - -<p>“I think I’ll walk back,” he announced. Hodges was the -only one who heard and he nodded as Martin turned to -go.</p> - -<p>The Major was talking of strategy when he left.</p> - -<p>“Wellington, of course, was the perfect general. Wellington -understood attrition. Attrition....” The Major -talked on.</p> - -<p>Outside Martin breathed the deep night air gratefully. -It was good after the heat and smoke. There were no stars -out yet and that was not good. With a shiver he turned -and walked quickly toward the docks.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>Chapter Two</i></h2> -</div> - - -<h3>i</h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">“It’s</span> seven o’clock, Mr Evans.” The man on watch looked -into his room.</p> - -<p>“O.K., be right down,” Evans mumbled. The door was -slammed shut and he opened his eyes. It was another -morning. His bed was warm and the room, lit grayly by -the morning sun, was cold. He closed his eyes and imagined -that he was out of bed and already dressed. He -imagined this clearly; so clearly that he began to fall -asleep again. The sound of dishes being dropped startled -him awake. He sat up in bed and put on his shirt. Then, -quickly, so as not to feel the cold, he sprang out of bed -and finished dressing. He was brushing his teeth when -Bervick came in the room.</p> - -<p>“Morning, Skipper, nice party? I heard you come in this -morning.” Evans wondered why his second mate always -seemed pleased when he had a hangover.</p> - -<p>“It was pretty good. Is the Mate up yet?”</p> - -<p>“He’s getting up. What time we sailing?”</p> - -<p>“Eight o’clock if everyone’s aboard. They won’t be, of -course.”</p> - -<p>Bervick disappeared. Evans straightened his tie. Then<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span> -he went below. The Chief and his assistants were at the -table when he came into the salon. The Chief seemed -cheerful.</p> - -<p>“Looks like smooth sailing weather,” he observed. He -pointed at the window and at the still harbor beyond.</p> - -<p>“I hope so.” Evans was noncommital. He had seen too -many days when the sea was calm in the harbor and -rough outside. They would know the weather soon enough.</p> - -<p>Martin and Bervick walked in together.</p> - -<p>“Did you get home all right?” Martin asked.</p> - -<p>“It looks like it, doesn’t it?” Evans spoke sharply. He -did not like to be thought a heavy drinker. He noticed -Martin was scowling. Evans, deciding that he had spoken -too roughly, added, “Yes, the Captain took the Chief and -me home. It was some fracas.”</p> - -<p>Duval laughed loudly. “It sure was! We almost ended -up in the ditch a couple times.”</p> - -<p>“The perils of drink,” murmured Martin, his mouth full.</p> - -<p>“Not much else to do in these islands,” said Evans. He -did not really hate the islands, though. They had been -home to him before the war when he had fished in these -waters. He could not admit to the others, however, that he -liked the Aleutians.</p> - -<p>“I’ve got a bad egg,” said Bervick. “I guess this was a -pre-war egg.” He pushed the plate away from him. “I -think I’ll go get the eight o’clock watch up.” He left.</p> - -<p>“It takes one to know one,” said the Chief, referring -back to the eggs.</p> - -<p>They ate in silence. The two men on watch entered -yawning. They sat down at the other table and started -their breakfast. Evans finished his own quickly.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span>A few minutes before eight, a jeep drove down the dock -and stopped at the ship. The three passengers and the -Captain climbed out and unloaded their baggage on the -dock.</p> - -<p>Evans went out on deck. “Good morning,” he said.</p> - -<p>“It’s a hell of a morning,” said the Captain. The passengers -stood about sheep-like, waiting for guidance. -Evans shouted to one of the deckhands inside. Together -they got the baggage aboard. Then the passengers and -the Captain climbed onto the deck.</p> - -<p>The Chaplain hoped that he would not be sick. They all -said they hoped they would not be sick. The Major remarked -that he had never been seasick in his life; he -added, however, that there was a first time for everything. -Evans guided them to the dining salon and Martin volunteered -to show them to their staterooms. Evans and the -Captain went back on deck.</p> - -<p>“What’s the new report on the outside?” Evans asked.</p> - -<p>“According to the man over at Weather and the Navy -people, you’ll have a ten-foot sea and a thirty-mile wind -in gusts from the southwest. That’s as far as the Big Harbor. -From there you’ll have to get another forecast.”</p> - -<p>“Pretty good news. No planes flying yet?”</p> - -<p>“No, no planes. Bad weather beyond the Big Harbor, -too.” The Captain reached in the coat of his parka and -brought out a brown envelope. “Here’s your clearance. -You can take her away now. Don’t spend too much time at -Arunga. I don’t go for none of that, you know.”</p> - -<p>Evans smiled, “I know,” he said. “We’ll be back in a -week.”</p> - -<p>“Fine. Give my love to the Big Harbor girls.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span>“I sure will.”</p> - -<p>“Good sailing then.” The Captain climbed back on the -dock. He stood beside his jeep and waited for them to cast -off. Several longshoremen stood by their lines on the dock. -The Major and the Chaplain came out to watch and Evans -went to the wheelhouse. Martin and Bervick were waiting -for him there.</p> - -<p>“Cast the bow and spring lines off first. We’ll drift out, -then let go the stern.” He rang the telegraph to the engine -room, setting the markers at Stand By. A minute later -the engine room rang back. Rather quick for the Chief, he -thought. Martin and Bervick went below. Evans could see -them, with two deckhands, moving about on deck.</p> - -<p>He opened one of the wheelhouse windows. “Let her -go,” he shouted. Quickly they began to pull in the lines. -The bow swung out from the dock.</p> - -<p>“Let the stern go, Bervick,” he shouted again from the -window. A second later they were free of the dock. Evans -rang both engines Slow Ahead. Cautiously he maneuvered -the ship away from the dock. Then he rang Full Ahead. -He could feel the engines vibrate as the ship shot ahead. -She would do twelve knots easily.</p> - -<p>Martin came up to the wheelhouse. His face was flushed -from the wind and cold and his nose was running. He -sniffed as he spoke.</p> - -<p>“All squared away. Anything you want done?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing I can think of.” Evans kept his eyes fixed on -the nets that guarded the narrow neck of the harbor a mile -away. He steered with the small electrical steering gear. -He preferred it to the larger wooden wheel which he insisted -that his crew use: it was more seaman-like.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span>“Guess I’ll go to bed then,” said Martin, and he went -into his cabin. His watch did not begin until noon.</p> - -<p>The door opened again and one of the men on Evans’ -watch entered. He took the wheel and Evans gave him the -course from memory. He knew the courses to the Big -Harbor by heart.</p> - -<p>Ahead he could see the entrance to the nets. He rang -Slow Speed as they went through them. The Navy detachment -on the near-by point always watched the boats as -they passed through, making sure that they were at least -at half speed.</p> - -<p>Five minutes later they were abeam Andrefski point. -The sky was still gray and he could feel the swell of the -waves increase beneath them. In a few minutes he would -be able to tell how rough the trip would be. He rang Full -Speed again.</p> - -<p>Bervick came into the wheelhouse. “How’s it look to -you?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Fair so far,” answered Evans. They both looked through -the windows at the waves crashing whitely on the black -rocks of the point. A haze hung in the air and the wind -was not strong or direct. Then they swung around the -point and into the open sea. The ship rocked back and -forth as she dipped between the swells.</p> - -<p>“Just about a ten-foot sea,” remarked Bervick.</p> - -<p>Evans nodded. “Looks like the forecast is going to be -right. Sea striking on the port bow but it doesn’t seem so -bad. In fact it’s pretty good.”</p> - -<p>“It’ll be a good trip.” Bervick went into his cabin. Evans -stood by the window and watched the bare sharp mountains -of the island move slowly by.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span>“Rather rough, isn’t it?”</p> - -<p>Evans looked around and saw the Major standing beside -him. The Major was holding onto the wooden railing -beneath the window.</p> - -<p>“A little bit. We’ll make good time, though.”</p> - -<p>“That’s important.” The Major looked old this morning, -Evans thought. His sallow face showed the signs of heavy -drinking. He would probably be sick and say that he had -indigestion.</p> - -<p>The Major squinted at the mountains. “How far off -shore are we?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“About two miles. That’s our usual running distance.”</p> - -<p>“It looks closer than that.” He contemplated the shifting -water and the stone hills and the steel color of the birdless -sky. “It looks very close.”</p> - -<p>“It does,” said Evans. The ship was dipping now from -sea-valley to sea-mountain with monotonous regularity. -Evans was exhilarated by the ship’s motion. He felt at -home now. This was where he belonged. He began to -whistle.</p> - -<p>The Major laughed. “I thought that was bad luck—for -old mariners to whistle in the wheelhouse.”</p> - -<p>Evans smiled. “I’m not superstitious.”</p> - -<p>“Just an old custom, I suppose. Let’s hope there’s nothing -to it.”</p> - -<p>“There isn’t.”</p> - -<p>They were approaching another cape and Evans gave -the man at the wheel a new course.</p> - -<p>“Have you been in this business long, Mr Evans?”</p> - -<p>“Been at sea long? Well, most of my life, since I was -sixteen.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span>“Really? It must be fascinating.” The Major spoke without -conviction.</p> - -<p>“Yes, it’s been a pretty good deal. Sometimes, though, -I wish I’d gone to West Point.” On an impulse he added -this, knowing that it would interest the older man. It did.</p> - -<p>“Did you have the opportunity?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“In a way. You see the Congressman from our district -was a good friend of my uncle who was married to my -mother’s sister, and I think he could have swung it. I know -I used to think about it, but I went to sea instead.”</p> - -<p>“You made a great mistake,” said the Major sadly, “a -very great mistake.” He looked out the window as if to -behold the proof of the mistake in the rolling sea. Mechanically -he made his profile appear hawk-like and military -... like Wellington. Evans smiled to himself. He had -seen a little of the regular army people and he thought -them all alike. To parade around in uniform and live on an -uncomfortable army post, to play poker and gossip; that -was all of the world to them, he thought. The life wasn’t -bad, of course, but one was not one’s own boss and there -was not, naturally, the sea. The life seemed dull to him.</p> - -<p>“I suppose it was a mistake,” said Evans, knowing it was -not.</p> - -<p>The Major sighed, “I can’t say that I care very much -for the water.” His face was drawn and tired and there -were grayish pouches under his eyes.</p> - -<p>“It’s something you have to have in you, I guess. With -me it was being a sailor or a farmer. Farming was hard -work and so I got to be a sailor.”</p> - -<p>“Sometimes one shouldn’t run away from the hard<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span> -things,” said Major Barkison tightly. “The easy way is not -always the best way,” he added with infinite wisdom.</p> - -<p>“I guess you’re right at that.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I think I shall go downstairs now.” The Major -walked unsteadily across the rocking wheelhouse deck. -He opened the door and went below.</p> - -<p>“Quite a guy, the Major,” the man at the wheel remarked.</p> - -<p>“Yes, he seems to be O.K. At least he’s not chicken like -some of the ones we’ve carried.”</p> - -<p>“No, he seems to be a good guy.”</p> - -<p>Evans looked out the window. The weather was consistent. -The wind was blowing around twenty miles an -hour. There was a thick snow flurry a few miles ahead. He -would go by the clock through the snow.</p> - -<p>The wheelhouse was quiet. From other parts of the -ship he could hear voices, and from the galley came the -occasional sounds of breaking china.</p> - -<p>The clock struck three bells. Snow began to splatter -on the window glass and whiten the decks. He could see -only a few yards ahead. The sea had gotten no rougher, -though, and the wind was dying down. He looked out into -the whiteness and thought of nothing.</p> - -<p>Martin came out of his cabin. “How’s it going?” he -asked.</p> - -<p>“Pretty good. Some snow just came up. We’ll be off -Point Kada in five minutes.”</p> - -<p>“That’s good time. Want me to take over for a while?”</p> - -<p>Evans was surprised. Martin usually slept until his -watch began at noon. It was unusual for him to be helpful. -“Sure. Fine. Thanks,” he said, and he went below.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span>The cook was swearing at the stove. The pots slid dangerously -back and forth over the stove. Evans passed -quickly through the galley.</p> - -<p>In the salon the Chaplain and the young Lieutenant -sat. There was an open book on the Chaplain’s lap, but -he did not seem to have been reading. He appeared ill. -Lieutenant Hodges on the other hand was enjoying himself. -He was watching the waves hit against the stern.</p> - -<p>The salon was lighted by one electric bulb. Everything -looked shapeless in the sickly light: the rack where the -tattered library of the ship was kept, the wooden chairs -piled on the two tables, the two men sitting in one corner, -all this looked gloomy and strange to him. He flipped on -another light and the place became cheerful.</p> - -<p>“Quite unpleasant, isn’t this?” Chaplain O’Mahoney remarked. -He closed the book on his lap.</p> - -<p>“Beginning to feel it?”</p> - -<p>“Oh my no, certainly not. I’ve been sitting here reading. -I feel very well.”</p> - -<p>“Where’s the Major?”</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Hodges answered, “He’s asleep in his stateroom. -I think he’s pretty tired after last night.”</p> - -<p>“So I gather. You went home early, didn’t you, Chaplain?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes, I had to get my eight hours, you know,” he -said lightly. “I had so many things to do before our departure.”</p> - -<p>Evans turned toward the galley. “Hey, Smitty!” he -shouted. “When you going to have chow?”</p> - -<p>“In about a hour.”</p> - -<p>“See you then.” Evans nodded to the two men and went<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> -back to the wheelhouse. Martin was looking out the window -and singing softly to himself. Evans stood beside him. -They watched the snow swirling over the water; they -watched for signs of change. That’s all this business was, -thought Evans. Watching the sea and guessing what it -might do next. The mist was thinning, he noticed. He -could make out a familiar cape ahead of them. They -were on course.</p> - -<p>“How’s your buddy, the Major?” asked Martin.</p> - -<p>“He’s in his sack.”</p> - -<p>“I thought he was up here for a while.”</p> - -<p>“He was.”</p> - -<p>“I guess you’ll make Chief Warrant now.”</p> - -<p>Evans flushed, “That’s your department, polishing the -brass.”</p> - -<p>“You do it so much better.” Martin chuckled. Evans bit -his lip. He knew that Martin often tried to irritate him -and he did not like it when he succeeded. He turned away -from him. The man at the wheel had been listening and -was grinning.</p> - -<p>Evans looked at the compass without seeing the numbers. -“Keep to your course.”</p> - -<p>“But I am on course,” the man said righteously.</p> - -<p>Evans grunted. Martin walked away from the window -and back into his cabin. Evans cursed slightly. Then, relieved, -he stood, looking out the port window, his arms -and legs braced as the ship plunged from wave to wave, -slanting the wheelhouse deck.</p> - -<p>At five bells Smitty shouted that chow was ready.</p> - -<p>Evans went into the mates’ cabin. Both were asleep. -He shook Bervick, who was in the top bunk.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span>“Lunch. You’d better get up.” Bervick groaned and -Martin rolled out of the lower bunk.</p> - -<p>“You take over,” Evans said, speaking to Martin. “You -can eat when I get back. I’ll take part of your watch for -you.” He went below.</p> - -<p>The crew was using the galley table. The officers and -passengers used one of the salon tables. The three passengers -were walking about aimlessly.</p> - -<p>“All ready for some of our wonderful hash?” Evans -spoke the words gaily, but even to his own ears they -sounded flat. He did not have Martin’s light touch with -words.</p> - -<p>“I feel quite hungry,” said the Major, rubbing his hands -together briskly.</p> - -<p>“I seem to have no appetite,” said the Chaplain sadly. -They sat down at the table. The Major on Evans’ right, -the Chaplain on his left. Hodges sat next to Duval, who -had come up from the engine room.</p> - -<p>“Engines running smoothly, Chief?” Evans asked.</p> - -<p>Duval beamed, “They’ve never been better. Were making -good time.”</p> - -<p>“Good.” Evans helped himself to the hash. It looked -pale and unnourishing. The Major frowned.</p> - -<p>“This is that new canned ration, isn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. We have this when were traveling. It’s usually -too rough to have anything else fixed.”</p> - -<p>“I see.” The Major took some. The Chaplain decided -that he was not hungry at all.</p> - -<p>“You had better have some crackers,” Evans remarked. -The Chaplain refused with a weary smile.</p> - -<p>There was little conversation. Bervick and the Chief disagreed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span> -on the expected time of arrival. For a moment -Evans was afraid they would begin an involved argument. -Luckily they had enough sense not to. Evans wondered -why people could never get along with each other. Of -course living in too close quarters for a long time had a -lot to do with it. On these boats people saw too much of -one another.</p> - -<p>After lunch Evans went back to the wheelhouse. Silently -he relieved Martin who went below. There was -another snow flurry ahead. It looked as if the rest of the -trip would be by the clock. Evans watched the water and -waited for the snow to come.</p> - -<p>At noon Martin returned.</p> - -<p>“Where are we?” he asked.</p> - -<p>Evans studied the pale snow-blurred coast. “Almost -abeam Crown rock. We’ll be in the Big Harbor in about -two hours. Don’t get any closer to shore than we are and -wake me up when you think you’re near the nets.”</p> - -<p>“O.K.” Martin checked the compass and the logbook -and then he stood by the window and looked out. Evans -went into his cabin and stretched out on his bunk. The -rocking of the boat he found soothing. He slept.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>“We’re about two miles from the nets,” said Martin, -when Evans came back into the wheelhouse. Outside the -snow was thick and they could see nothing but a blinding -whiteness. The outline of the shore was gone. Evans -checked the time and the chart. He figured that they were -less than two miles from the entrance buoy. In another -ten minutes they should be able to see the nets. He rang<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span> -Stand By. Martin went below and Evans waited for a -thinning of the snow.</p> - -<p>At last it came. Dimly he could see the great black mass -of mountain that marked the entrance to the Big Harbor. -He felt much better seeing this. He had never lost a ship -in the fog or snow, but he knew that far better sailors -than he had gone on the rocks in similar weather.</p> - -<p>He directed the man at the wheel to pull in closer to -shore. Just ahead of him, only somewhat hazed by the -thinning snow, he could make out a red buoy off his starboard -bow. Beyond this buoy were the nets. He rang for -Half Speed. On the deck below he could see the Major -standing in the wind. The Major thought Evans looked -quite nautical, as he gazed sternly into the snow. Spray -splashing over the bow sent him quickly to cover.</p> - -<p>At Slow Speed, Evans glided the ship between the nets. -For five minutes they vibrated slowly ahead. Then, in the -near distance, he suddenly saw the spires of the old Russian -church, rising above the native village.</p> - -<p>To the right of the village were the docks. Evans took -the wheel himself and the ship moved slowly around the -harbor’s only reef. With a quick spin of the wheel Evans -took the ship in closer to shore. The water was deep up to -within a few feet of the black abbreviated beach. A hundred -yards ahead of them were the docks.</p> - -<p>Two deckhands stood on the bow and attached heaving -lines to the bow and spring lines. Martin stood by the -anchor winch, his eyes on the dock where they would tie -up. No other ships were on the face of this dock. They -would have it to themselves.</p> - -<p>Evans stopped both engines. They drifted ahead. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span> -wind was off their port bow, which was good. He pointed -the bow toward the center of the dock and then he waited.</p> - -<p>Ten feet from the dock he began to swing the bow away -from shore. He swore loudly as the ship turned too slowly. -He had mistimed the speed. Quickly he gave the off shore -engine Slow Astern. The bow pulled out more quickly, -while the stern swung in. They hit lightly against the -pilings. A man on shore had already taken their spring -line. Evans stopped the off shore engine and waited to see -if the lines were under control. They were and he rang off -the engine room. The landing had been good. His heart -was fluttering, he noticed, and the sweat trickled down his -left side. These landings were a strain.</p> - - -<h3>ii</h3> - -<p>Martin was in his bunk; handling the lines had tired -him. His eyes were shut but he was not asleep. He listened -to Bervick moving about the cabin. “Going up town?” he -asked.</p> - -<p>“That’s right.” Bervick adjusted his cap.</p> - -<p>“You going to see Olga?”</p> - -<p>“I might. Haven’t had much to do with her lately.”</p> - -<p>“That’s right, you haven’t.”</p> - -<p>Bervick pulled on his parka. Thinking of Olga excited -him. He still liked her, and the thought of the Chief with -her, bothered him. The Chief would not be with her tonight; -for some reason he was sure of that. Tonight was -his night.</p> - -<p>“I’ll be seeing you,” he said to Martin, and he went out -onto the forward deck.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span>The tide was going out and the wheelhouse was now -level with the dock. With an effort he pulled himself up -to the dock. To his left was the native village and to his -right were more docks and warehouses. Men from the -various boats walked about on shore, dim figures in the -twilight. Pale blue smoke circled up from the galley -smokestacks. There was a smell of cooking, of supper, -in the cool air. Bervick turned and walked into the -village.</p> - -<p>The main street of the settlement curved parallel with -the beach for half a mile. Most of the houses were on this -street. Bars and restaurants and one theater, all wooden, -also lined the street. The buildings had been painted -white originally; they were many weathered shades of -gray, now. On a small hill, behind two bars and a former -brothel, the old Russian Orthodox church rose straightly -against the evening. Its two onion-shaped cupolas were -painted green; the rest of the church was an almost new -white.</p> - -<p>On several lanes, running inland from the main street, -were the homes of the two hundred odd pre-war residents. -Most of the houses had been vacated at the beginning of -the war. The windows were boarded up and the privies -leaned crazily in the back yards. Seven trees, which had -been imported, were withered now, and their limbs had -been made grotesque by the constant wind.</p> - -<p>A mile inland from the shore and the village was the -army camp. It had been erected early in the war and its -many barracks and offices duplicated the military life of -the distant United States.</p> - -<p>Soldiers from the post and sailors from the Navy ships<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span> -in the harbor wandered about the crooked lanes and along -the main street. They were looking for liquor and women. -There was much of one and little of the other in the Big -Harbor. Prices were high for both.</p> - -<p>Bervick walked very slowly down the main street, proving -to himself that he was in no hurry to see Olga. He -would see her later in the evening.</p> - -<p>He stopped at a building somewhat larger than the -rest. It was the Arctic Commercial Store, the main store -in the village. Almost anything could be bought here. It -was said that the store had made over a million dollars -since the war.</p> - -<p>Bervick went inside. It was warm and crowded and -cheerful. Sailors with beards in various stages of development -walked about. Some wore gold earrings in their ears. -Bervick grimaced. Earrings were an old sea custom recently -revived. He did not like them.</p> - -<p>The shelves of the store were stocked with canned goods -and souvenirs; upstairs was a clothing store. Bervick -looked around at the counters. In the corner where souvenirs -were sold, he saw several bright pink and blue silk -pillow covers. On them were printed, in gay colors, maps -of Alaska and various endearments.</p> - -<p>“How much is that one there?” Bervick asked the -bearded man behind the counter.</p> - -<p>“What one?”</p> - -<p>“That one over there.” Bervick flushed and pointed to a -pink one, inscribed <i>To My Sweetheart</i>.</p> - -<p>“You mean the Sweetheart one?” Bervick wondered if -the man were deaf. For some reason he felt a little foolish. -He nodded and said, “Yes, that’s the one.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span>The bearded man chuckled and handed it to him. Bervick -paid him. The price was too high but that was not -unusual here.</p> - -<p>He stuffed the fake silk cover in his pocket. When he -saw Olga he would give it to her casually. The Chief had -more money, but sometimes sentiment was much more -important. His breath came shorter when he thought of -Olga. He controlled himself. He would not go to her yet. -She had probably already heard that his ship was in. He -would make her wait for him. Bervick hoped the Chief -would not try to see her tonight. The Chief had said that -he planned to work on the engines. Bervick hoped that he -would. The Chief wasn’t really much competition, though, -thought Bervick.</p> - -<p>He walked down the street. Drunken sailors in groups -went grimly from bar to bar. The Shore Patrol men stood -warily on the wooden sidewalk, waiting for trouble. Fights -would begin later in the evening.</p> - -<p>The Anchorage Inn was a popular bar. It rambled for a -hundred feet or less on the main street, a few buildings -from the Arctic Commercial Store. Bervick decided to -have a drink.</p> - -<p>A blast of heat and light engulfed him as he entered. -The smell of liquor, food, and too many people was strong -in the room. It took him several minutes to get used to -the light and heat.</p> - -<p>A long counter extended across one end of the building. -Through the open kitchen door, behind the counter, he -could see a fat woman cooking at a greasy stove; clouds of -smoke and steam sizzled up from the stove. Two women -and one man were serving at the counter and tables. Soldiers<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span> -and sailors crowded the place. A half-dozen women -were unevenly distributed. They worked in the shops and -restaurants and bars. They made a lot of money.</p> - -<p>Sitting at a table with two sailors was a large woman -who immediately recognized Bervick. “Hey, Joe,” she -yelled. “You come over here.”</p> - -<p>“Hello, Angela. How’re you doing?” Bervick sat down -at the table. The two sailors were young and seemed -frightened by Angela. They looked relieved to see him.</p> - -<p>Angela was a huge and heavy breasted woman. She -wore a green dress of thick cloth. Her eyes were narrow -puffy slits and her face was painted carelessly. There was -no reason for her to take pains up here, thought Bervick. -Any woman was a beauty to men who had been without -women for many months and occasionally years. Her hair -was a bright brass red, dark at the roots. Angela was several -years older than the forty she claimed to be.</p> - -<p>“What’s new, Joe?” she asked when he had made himself -comfortable.</p> - -<p>“Not a thing. We just got in a little while ago.”</p> - -<p>“Yeah. I heard.”</p> - -<p>“News travels fast, I guess.”</p> - -<p>“It sure does.”</p> - -<p>The two young sailors mumbled something and moved -away. Angela winked, “There they go ... my admirers.”</p> - -<p>“I guess you still got a lot of them.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I don’t do so bad. When you going to visit me? I -live over the store now, you know.”</p> - -<p>“So I heard.”</p> - -<p>“News travels fast.” They laughed.</p> - -<p>“How’s little Olga?” Angela asked.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span>“I suppose she’s O.K. I don’t see her so much any -more.”</p> - -<p>“That’s just as well. I don’t like to talk much about the -other girls, you know I don’t, but that Olga is just plain -loose. I’m not saying the rest of us are any the better, I -mean I know I’m not such a pure ... well, you know, -but after all I don’t take on more than one....”</p> - -<p>“For Christ’s sake!” Bervick snapped at her. He was disgusted -by this corrupt mass of a woman saying such a -thing of Olga. “That’s hard to believe,” he added more -calmly.</p> - -<p>“What? That I don’t go with more than one? Why you -know perfectly well I don’t. My only fault is that I’m just -too affectionate.” She purred this last, and under the table -her knee was pushed against his.</p> - -<p>“I guess that’s right.” You couldn’t be angry with Angela, -he thought. He wondered if Olga would be waiting -for him.</p> - -<p>“Then of course you know about her ... Olga, I mean -... two-timing that Frenchman off your boat. What’s his -name?”</p> - -<p>“I know about that. That’s old.” Bervick spoke with -authority, and Angela was impressed as he intended her -to be.</p> - -<p>“Well, maybe she’s through with him.” She sighed and -her great breasts rippled. Bervick wondered if Olga might -marry him if he asked her. That would certainly cut the -Chief out, he thought viciously. He frowned.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter, darling?” asked Angela, leaning -over the table, her face close to his. Cheap perfume floated<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span> -up from her in heavy waves; it made him want to cough.</p> - -<p>“Not a thing, Angela, not a thing.” He moved back in -his chair.</p> - -<p>“Well, don’t frown so,” she said peevishly, and then -more brightly, “What about a drink? They’ve got some -good stuff here. Hey, Joe,” she yelled at the waiter. He -came over to their table.</p> - -<p>“Two shots, Joe.”</p> - -<p>The man went behind the counter and returned a moment -later with two jiggers of whiskey. Bervick started to -pay.</p> - -<p>“Never mind.” Angela pushed his money aside. “This is -on the house, isn’t it, Joe?”</p> - -<p>“Sure.” Joe walked away.</p> - -<p>“I know so many things about Joe, you see.” Angela -giggled. They gulped the whiskey. A tall blond sailor -across the room caught her eye. She smiled and winked at -him. The sailor came over to their table.</p> - -<p>“Hello, beautiful,” he said.</p> - -<p>“Hello, handsome.” Angela made fluttering feminine -movements. Bervick stood up.</p> - -<p>“I think I’ll go now,” he said. He noticed the sailor wore -a gold earring in one of his ears.</p> - -<p>“Bad luck, soldier,” said the sailor, leering and putting -his arm around Angela. Bervick turned away.</p> - -<p>“Give my best to Olga,” said Angela. He did not answer. -He walked outside into the cold air of the Arctic -night. The whiskey had warmed him and he did not feel -the cold. He was glad he had taken it.</p> - -<p>The street was crowded with sailors. They were becoming -more noisy. Bervick walked on the extreme edge of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span> -the road in the shadow of the buildings. He wanted no -trouble tonight.</p> - -<p>The restaurant where Olga worked was called the Fall -Inn. It was owned by a man named Fall who had a great -sense of humor. Olga used to laugh a lot with Bervick -when she thought of the funny name Mr Fall had thought -of. She liked to explain to customers why the name of the -restaurant was so funny.</p> - -<p>The Fall Inn was a large, well-lighted frame house on -one of the lanes that went back from the main street. Near -it was a withered evergreen tree surrounded by a picket -fence. This had been Mrs Fall’s idea.</p> - -<p>Bervick stepped inside. He stood in the doorway, accustoming -his eyes to the light. Behind the counter, stood -Olga. She was waiting on a dozen or so customers. Olga -was a tall girl with a slim figure. Her features were rather -flat and without distinction, but her eyes were a beautiful -shiny china blue. Her hair was silver-gold, long and untidy, -and her complexion was white and smooth. She had -thick legs and graceful hands.</p> - -<p>She saw Bervick when he came in. She looked away -quickly and busied herself with the cash register.</p> - -<p>He went over to her and sat down at the counter. “How -are you?” he asked, not knowing anything else to say.</p> - -<p>“What do you want?” She spoke nervously.</p> - -<p>“I just wanted to see you,” he said. “I guess it’s O.K. -for me to sit here.”</p> - -<p>“Go ahead, it’s a public place.” Still she did not go -away. A man across the room shouted for some coffee. -Slowly she went back into the kitchen. She seemed -frightened.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span>“Not making any headway with her, are you?” Bervick -looked behind him. Duval was standing there. He had -been there for some time.</p> - -<p>Bervick felt sick to his stomach. For a moment he said -nothing. Then he asked easily, “What are you doing -here?” He was careful to control his voice.</p> - -<p>“Just what do you think, Sergeant?” Duval grinned. “I’m -just here having some coffee and maybe having Olga later -on. I haven’t made up my mind yet.” Duval sat down beside -him.</p> - -<p>“I thought,” Bervick spoke slowly, “that you weren’t -going to see her tonight.”</p> - -<p>“I never said I wasn’t. Besides it’s her and my business. -She don’t want nothing to do with you anyway.”</p> - -<p>“That’s where you’re wrong.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you just go ask her, sucker.” Duval played with -the sugar container.</p> - -<p>Olga came back from the kitchen. She was frowning. -Her light brows almost met.</p> - -<p>“What are you doing tonight? Are you going to see this -guy?” Bervick asked. Olga flushed and thought a moment. -Bervick knew already what she would answer. Olga liked -money too well. But, knowing this, he still wanted her.</p> - -<p>Olga decided to be angry. “What makes you two think -you’re so good you can tell me what to do? I think you’re -both conceited. Maybe I ain’t interested in neither of you.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe you’re right,” said Duval. “I guess I’ll just pay -for some coffee and get on out.” Then he opened his wallet -and let her see the thick sheaf of bills. Her eyes narrowed.</p> - -<p>“What you in such a hurry to go for? My gracious,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span> -you’d think I was poison or something.” A customer yelled -for food and she went back into the kitchen.</p> - -<p>“I’d like to break your back,” said Bervick very deliberately, -making each word a curse.</p> - -<p>“Don’t get upset, Sergeant. I just got more than you. I -been keeping Olga ever since she got tired of you. You -know that, so why do you keep hanging around? What -you want to do? Marry her?”</p> - -<p>Bervick felt sick. He watched the Chief’s wide mouth -move as he spoke. He noticed the Chief had a bright gold -upper tooth. It gleamed cheerfully as he spoke.</p> - -<p>Duval went on talking. “There’re some other girls -around here. What about that fat girl who’s so stuck on -you? What’s her name? Angela?”</p> - -<p>“Angela!” exclaimed Olga. She came back from the -kitchen in time to hear the name “Angela.” “Why she’s -just a big fat you-know-what. So you been seeing her.” -She turned on Bervick, glad at last of an excuse to be rid -of him. “Well, you got your nerve to want to do anything -with me after you been with her. Why I bet she’s got -everything wrong with her.” A customer wanted to pay for -his meal. She went to the cash register.</p> - -<p>“Too bad,” said Duval. “You aren’t much of a lover, are -you? You go see Angela. She’s just your speed.”</p> - -<p>Unsteadily Bervick got to his feet. He buttoned his -parka. Olga did not look at him; she pretended to be busy -figuring change. The Chief absently twirled the sugar -container between his broad hands.</p> - -<p>Bervick walked out of the Fall Inn. He did not shiver -when the cold hit him. Some men from the boats were -urinating beside one of the buildings. They did it all the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span> -time, all over the place. It was unpleasant, he thought. -Someone should put a stop to it. Thinking of this and not -of Olga, he walked back to the Anchorage Inn.</p> - -<p>Angela was not surprised to see him. The blond sailor -with the gold earring was sound asleep in the chair beside -her. On the table was a half empty bottle of whiskey. -Wearily Bervick walked over to her.</p> - -<p>“Hello, darling,” she said brightly. “Was Olga mean to -you?”</p> - -<p>“That’s right,” he said. He sat down beside her. The -sailor stirred sleepily. His long hair fell in his face.</p> - -<p>“Nice, isn’t he?” commented Angela, with a motherly -air.</p> - -<p>“Yeah. What are you doing tonight?”</p> - -<p>She looked at him. The playfulness left her face. She -was strictly business now. “Sure, darling, sure,” she said. -“But you know how it is.”</p> - -<p>“I know just how it is. I only got ten dollars,” he lied.</p> - -<p>Angela sighed. Then she smiled, her fat face creased -with kindness. “I’ll lose my reputation for this,” she said -with a chuckle, “but for an old pal, that’s a deal.” Bervick -thanked her. He wondered to himself how these wrecks -of women would ever be able to adjust themselves to -peacetime when no man would look at them. “Of course -you might take me to the show first,” she added coquettishly: -a female elephant trembling at the thought of love.</p> - -<p>“I suppose I could. What’s on tonight?”</p> - -<p>“<i>Saturday Magic.</i> I hear it’s real good. I saw it advertised -when I was in Frisco ten years ago.”</p> - -<p>“That sounds good to me.” Bervick helped her up. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span> -sailor was still asleep. Angela took the bottle of whiskey -and slipped it in her coat pocket.</p> - -<p>“He’ll never miss it. Besides we might want some in the -movie,” she said cozily. They pushed their way through -the crowd of soldiers and sailors. Standing outside the door -were two Shore Patrol men waiting gloomily for the -eventual riot.</p> - -<p>“Nasty bunch them SP’s,” remarked Angela, and then, -“Jesus but it’s cold.” She pulled her coat tight about her -neck. Quickly they walked to the small theatre at the end -of the street.</p> - -<p>The theatre held about two hundred people. It was almost -filled now and the show had begun. They found seats -at the back. A shot was being fired on the screen and -Angela, hearing it, squealed with gay terror. Two rows in -front of them a man vomited. Bervick shuddered.</p> - -<p>“That’s all right, dear. You’ll be warm in a minute,” -whispered Angela. He put his arm around her thick shoulders. -She giggled and let her hand rest on his knee. Together -they watched the figures on the screen and thought -of each other.</p> - - -<h3>iii</h3> - -<p>Morning came whitely over the harbor. The water was -oily calm. A small Navy boat went through the channel -and the crews of the different boats began to stir about -on the docks.</p> - -<p>Bervick walked down the deserted street of the village. -The houses looked unlived in. There was no sign of life -away from the docks. His footsteps sounded sharp and -clear in the emptiness of the morning.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span>He thought of Angela and felt sick at the memory of -her making love in a torn silk dressing gown, her frizzled -red hair hanging stiffly down her back. Olga was so much -cleaner. He would not think of Olga, though.</p> - -<p>The ship was already awake. The crew was straggling -up out of the focs’le. He could see Evans moving around -in the wheelhouse. Martin was out on the forward deck.</p> - -<p>“Have a good time?” yelled Martin when he saw him.</p> - -<p>“Sure. Don’t I always?”</p> - -<p>“Sure.”</p> - -<p>Bervick climbed aboard and stood beside Martin who -was adjusting the hatch cover.</p> - -<p>“Who were you with last night? Olga?”</p> - -<p>“No. I was with Angela.”</p> - -<p>“That pig?”</p> - -<p>“I know it.” Bervick sighed and began, for the first time, -to recall Angela’s large torso. “She’s got a nice personality,” -he said absently.</p> - -<p>“Don’t they all?” said Martin. He kicked the edge of -the canvas into place. “Let’s have chow.”</p> - -<p>Evans was sitting alone at the table when they came in. -He muttered a good morning. They sat down.</p> - -<p>Bervick was hungry. He ate even the cold-storage eggs, -which Smitty invariably served them and which they -seldom ate.</p> - -<p>Martin looked up. “Say, Evans,” he said, “what’s this -story I hear about John Jones? You know, the Indian guy -from Seldovia.”</p> - -<p>“He killed himself.” Evans pushed himself back from -the table and teetered his chair on the deck.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span>“What went wrong?” Bervick was interested. He had -been on a power barge with Jones.</p> - -<p>“He drank a bottle of methyl alcohol last night.” Evans -made himself appear bored. He always did when anyone -they knew died.</p> - -<p>“Well, what did he do that for?” Evans irritated Bervick -sometimes. Evans always wanted to be asked things, as if -he were an authority.</p> - -<p>“The girl he had back in Seldovia, an Indian girl, she -left him and gets married. She writes him about it and he -locks himself up in the head and drinks this stuff. They -found him around midnight. He looked pretty awful they -said. I guess he took the girl too seriously.” Bervick knew -the last remark was intended for him and he did not like -it. He would not kill himself for a woman, not himself, -that was certain.</p> - -<p>“That’s life,” said Martin helpfully. The Chaplain and -the Major entered the salon. Both were cheerful and both -looked rested. They announced that young Hodges was -still asleep.</p> - -<p>“We played poker for a little while last night. Where -were you, Sergeant? We needed an extra man.” The -Major spoke genially to show that aboard ship he was not -conscious of rank.</p> - -<p>“I was visiting friends in the village, sir.” Bervick shifted -uneasily in his chair.</p> - -<p>“They have a fine old Russian church there, don’t they?” -asked the Chaplain.</p> - -<p>“Yes, they do.”</p> - -<p>“Very interesting, these old churches. I suppose one -can’t go in the church here.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span>“I think it’s locked until the war’s over,” said Evans. -“The priest was evacuated.”</p> - -<p>“Such a pity,” the Chaplain complained. “I should like -to have seen it.”</p> - -<p>Duval and his assistants came up from the engine room. -The first assistant, a short heavy man, was splattered with -grease.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter?” Evans asked.</p> - -<p>“Just a little trouble with the auxiliary again. It’ll be -O.K. I think. Just go easy on them winches. I been up -since five working on this damned thing.” Duval gestured -with his hands. Bervick wondered when he had left Olga.</p> - -<p>“Good morning, Bervick,” said Duval genially. “Did you -sleep well last night?”</p> - -<p>Without answering Bervick left the salon and went in -the galley. He could hear the Major murmur words of -surprise and he could hear Evans change the subject.</p> - -<p>Martin joined Bervick in the wheelhouse. “What’s bothering -you?” He asked. “You aren’t still sore at the Chief -because of that Norwegian animal?”</p> - -<p>“Maybe I am. That’s my business.”</p> - -<p>“You’re acting like a half-wit. Before you know it, the -Chief’ll get Evans to throw you off the boat.”</p> - -<p>“That’s fine by me. I don’t know if I want to be around -that guy.” Bervick gave the bulkhead a vicious poke.</p> - -<p>“You’re getting a little crazy in the head.”</p> - -<p>Bervick shrugged. “I’m not the only one, I guess.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you better not bother the Chief very much or -there’ll be some real trouble one of these days. Anyway -I can’t see how you managed to get so hot and bothered -over Olga.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span>“That’s my business.”</p> - -<p>Martin looked at Bervick and saw that there were harsh -lines about his mouth. He was fingering his long hair.</p> - -<p>“I guess it is,” said Martin finally.</p> - -<p>Evans came whistling into the wheelhouse. He was followed -by a Captain, the Assistant Superintendent of the -harbor.</p> - -<p>“Are we sailing?” asked Martin.</p> - -<p>Evans nodded. “Just as soon as the Captain here gives -us clearance.”</p> - -<p>“The weather...?”</p> - -<p>“According to the Navy,” said the Captain, examining -some papers in his hand, “according to the Navy you will -encounter heavy weather near the Agan cape. Twenty-foot -sea at the worst. Fair visibility and not too much -wind. Of course you realize at this time of year anything -can happen.”</p> - -<p>“There are no planes leaving, are there?” asked Evans.</p> - -<p>The Captain shook his head. “Not for a week anyway. -This is about the quickest trip for the Major.” He handed -Evans an envelope. “Here’s your clearance and the weather -report in detail. See you on your way back.” The Captain -left.</p> - -<p>“Were off,” said Martin. He looked out over the still -harbor. “I guess it will be a good trip. Hope so, anyway.”</p> - -<p>Evans looked at the gray sky. “There’s a lot of snow -up there. Go tell the Major that he can’t fly. He wanted to -know.”</p> - -<p>Martin and Bervick went below together. They found -the Major in the salon, filing his nails. He looked inquiringly -at them.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span>“No planes leaving, sir,” said Martin. “They’re still -weathered in.”</p> - -<p>“Well, that <i>is</i> too bad.” The Major seemed cheerful. -Bervick decided that Major Barkison liked the idea of a -three-day trip. “Will we leave soon?”</p> - -<p>“Right away.”</p> - -<p>“Good.”</p> - -<p>Bervick and Martin met the Chaplain in the companionway. -The Chaplain was not particularly pleased at the -idea of a boat trip, but he decided to be hearty and take -it like a good sport. “Well, that will be nice. I have always -wanted to do this sort of thing. We never were near the -ocean in Maryland. That is, Maryland was near, or rather -on, the ocean, but we weren’t. This’ll be quite an experience -for a landsman.”</p> - -<p>“It will,” said Martin.</p> - -<p>“I hope I shan’t have a repeat performance....”</p> - -<p>“Not if you eat plenty of crackers. Will you excuse us, -Chaplain?”</p> - -<p>“Of course.”</p> - -<p>They could hear Evans ringing Stand By. Together they -went out on deck. The men on watch were already there.</p> - -<p>“How do you want to go?” Martin shouted to Evans in -the wheelhouse. Evans put his head out the window.</p> - -<p>“Let everything go at once!”</p> - -<p>Two seamen from one of the power barges stood by -their lines on the dock.</p> - -<p>“O.K.,” said Martin. “Cast off.” The crew began to pull -in the lines. Bervick went aft and helped handle the stern. -Martin waited while the men coiled the lines. Then he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span> -yelled to Evans, “All free!” He could see Evans nod and -go to the telegraph.</p> - -<p>The ship swung slowly away from the dock. The wind -blew damply and gently in their faces. The sea gulls circled -high overhead.</p> - -<p>Bervick joined Martin on the forward deck. They -watched the bow of the ship cut with increasing speed -through the dark and rippled water.</p> - -<p>“It looks awful quiet, don’t it, Martin?”</p> - -<p>“Does look quiet. I hope it stays that way. The weather -didn’t look too good in the report.”</p> - -<p>“Didn’t look bad?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“I wish to hell I’d stayed in the Merchant Marine.”</p> - -<p>“It’s tough all over.”</p> - -<p>“Yeah.”</p> - -<p>“We better see what Evans wants. He’ll probably want -to hose down the decks.”</p> - -<p>“Yeah.”</p> - -<p>As they turned to go, Bervick reached in his pocket and -brought out a bundle which he tossed quickly overboard.</p> - -<p>“What was that?” asked Martin curiously.</p> - -<p>“Some old rags.”</p> - -<p>“Oh.” They went below.</p> - -<p>The bow of the ship cut more and more swiftly through -the harbor and toward the nets. The gulls wheeled higher -and higher in the sky, and on the crest of one wave floated -a pink piece of cloth, decorated with the words <i>To My -Sweetheart</i> ... and a map of Alaska.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>Chapter Three</i></h2> -</div> - - -<h3>i</h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">Major Barkison</span> contemplated the sea and was pleased -by it. Today the water was smooth and only occasionally -disturbed by gusts of wind. The Major stood alone on the -forward deck. A few miles to his left was the vanishing -entrance to the Big Harbor; before him was the Bering -Sea.</p> - -<p>Dreamily the Major thought of the sea: of the great -masses of moon-guided water, constantly shifting: of -sunken ships; of all the centuries that people had gone -out on the water, and of all those, like Evans, to whom -the sea was a part of living. He enjoyed thinking of these -large vague things as the ship moved steadily ahead, -causing sharp small waves of its own, waves which shattered -themselves into the larger ones.</p> - -<p>The water of the Bering Sea was a deep blue-black, -thought the Major, and he watched carefully the ship-made -waves: black when with the sea mass, then varying -shades of clear blue as they swept up into the large waves, -exploding at last in sudden whiteness. When he had the -time, Major Barkison appreciated beauty. He had three -days now in which to be appreciative.</p> - -<p>Several sea lions wallowed fearlessly near the ship. -Their black coats glistened in the pale morning light. For<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> -a moment they dove and splashed near the ship, and then, -quickly they went away.</p> - -<p>He heard the sound of wings behind him. He turned -and saw the Indian cook throwing garbage overboard. -The air was filled with sea gulls, fighting for scraps on the -water. He watched them as they glided in the air, their -wings motionless, their heads rigidly pointed. They seemed -reptilian to him. For the first time, noticing their unblinking -black beady eyes, he saw the snake in these smooth -gray birds. The Major did not like snakes.</p> - -<p>Visibility was good. They seemed even closer than two -miles to shore. In the distance, toward the end of the -island, he could see one of the active volcanos. At regular -intervals a column of smoke and fire came up out of it. -The island was a cluster of volcanos, tall and sharp, their -peaks covered with snow. Clouds hung over the peaks and -the stone of the mountains was black and gray.</p> - -<p>Overhead the sun made an effort to shine through the -clouded sky; the sun seldom did, though. This was the -place where the bad weather was made, according to -the Indians, and the Major agreed. He yawned and was -glad that he had not flown. He did not like flying over -hidden peaks. He hoped this trip would be uneventful.</p> - -<p>Major Barkison had a sure method of foretelling -weather, or anything else for that matter. He would, for -instance, select a certain patch of sky and then count -slowly to three; if, during that time, no sea gull crossed -the patch of sky, the thing he wanted would come true. -This method could be applied to everything and the Major -had great faith in it.</p> - -<p>He looked at a section of sky above a distant volcano.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span> -Slowly he counted. At the count of two a gull flew across -his patch of sky. The Major frowned. He had a way, however, -of dealing with this sort of thing. He would use the -best two counts out of three. Quickly he counted. No gull -appeared. The trip would not be bad. In his mind, though, -he wondered if it might not be cheating to take the best -two out of three. One had to play fair. Not that he was -superstitious, of course.</p> - -<p>The Major began to feel the cold of the wind. The cold -came gradually. He did not realize it until he found himself -shivering. Carefully, holding onto the railing, he -walked aft to the galley.</p> - -<p>Inside he stood by the range and warmed himself. He -shivered as the cold left. Steam came up from his hands.</p> - -<p>Hodges and the Chaplain were sitting at the galley -table drinking coffee. The Indian cook was arranging some -canned rations in a cupboard. Major Barkison took off his -parka and sat down at the galley table.</p> - -<p>“Pretty cold, isn’t it?” remarked the Chaplain.</p> - -<p>“Yes, it is. Very penetrating, this cold. Goes right -through to the bone.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose so. Actually this isn’t half so cold as Anchorage -or Nome. The Chain isn’t much worse than Seattle.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll take Seattle,” said Hodges. “Who was it who said -this place was the chamber pot of the gods?” The Major -laughed.</p> - -<p>“I hear,” said the Chaplain, “that you are going to be -promoted, Major.”</p> - -<p>“How did you hear that?”</p> - -<p>The Chaplain giggled. “Through the grapevine. You -hear all sorts of things that way, you know.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span>Barkison nodded. “It looks like it’ll be coming through -any time now.”</p> - -<p>“That’ll be nice for you. Your career and all that.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, it will be nice.” The Major poured himself a cup -of coffee from the pot on the stove. Then he sat down -again. He poured some canned milk into the coffee.</p> - -<p>“They say that the natives think that’s where milk comes -from, out of a can,” Hodges remarked.</p> - -<p>“You can get to like condensed milk,” said the Major. “I -never used to like it before I came up here.” He stirred -his coffee and thought of Fort Lewis where he had been -stationed for many years before the war. As he remembered, -he missed the trees and green fields the most; large -leafy trees and green smooth clover pastures. He wondered -how long it would be before he went back.</p> - -<p>“Where is your home?” asked the Chaplain, turning to -Hodges.</p> - -<p>“Virginia, the northern part.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, really. That’s quite near to me. You know the -monastery of Saint Oliver?” Hodges shook his head. “Well -that’s where I was, near Baltimore, you know. When I was -a child I used to visit relatives in Pikefield County. You -didn’t know anyone in Pikefield, did you?”</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid I never did. I was never in the southern -part of the state much. I was mostly in Fairfax.”</p> - -<p>“Great country,” commented the Major. “I’ve been in -many horse shows around there, around Warrenton. Beautiful -country, I’ve always liked it.”</p> - -<p>“I never knew you rode, sir,” said Hodges.</p> - -<p>“Why yes. I was in the cavalry when I first got out of -the Point. Changed over later. Cavalry was a little bit too<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span> -much wear and tear for me. You see,” and he lowered his -voice and spoke rather wearily, “you see, I have a heart -murmur.”</p> - -<p>“Really?” The Chaplain became interested. “Isn’t that -odd, but you know I’ve got the same thing. As a matter -of fact the doctor up at Anchorage told me I might drop -dead at any moment. You can imagine how surprised I -was to hear that.”</p> - -<p>“I can imagine.” The Major spoke drily. The Chaplain’s -heart did not interest him. He was a little annoyed that -the Chaplain should have mentioned it.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I might drop dead at any moment.” Chaplain -O’Mahoney seemed to enjoy saying those words.</p> - -<p>The Major looked out the porthole and watched the -gray water shifting under the still sunless sky.</p> - -<p>“I like Anchorage,” said the Chaplain absently.</p> - -<p>“The best place in Alaska,” agreed Hodges. “You can get -real steak there. You got to pay high for it, though.”</p> - -<p>“Sure, but they’re a lot more civilized than some places -I could mention. It certainly does get cold up there.” The -Chaplain shuddered at the thought.</p> - -<p>“That’s why war is hell,” said the Major. He wondered -how long it would be before his promotion came through. -Almost without thinking he used his method. If the Chaplain -blinked his eyes within the count of three, he would -not get his promotion for at least six months. He looked -at the Chaplain’s eyes and he counted to himself. The -Chaplain did not blink. Major Barkison felt much better. -He would be a Lt Colonel in less than six months. O’Mahoney -was watching him, he noticed.</p> - -<p>“Do you feel well, Major?” the Chaplain asked.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span>“Never better. Why?”</p> - -<p>“I thought you looked odd. You were staring so. It must -be my imagination.”</p> - -<p>“It must be. I was just staring, daydreaming, you know.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I do it often myself. Once I had an unusual revelation -that way.”</p> - -<p>The Major changed the subject. He spoke to Hodges. -“Are you going to stay with the Adjutant General’s department -after the war?” Lieutenant Hodges was regular -army like the Major.</p> - -<p>Hodges shook his head. “I don’t think so. I’m going to -try to get in Operations.”</p> - -<p>“It’s quite interesting, these revelations; I suppose one -would call them that....” O’Mahoney began again.</p> - -<p>Major Barkison interrupted hurriedly. “I am certain -they are.” He turned to the Lieutenant. “Of course, -Hodges, the work’s quite different from what you’ve -been doing.”</p> - -<p>“I know. I think I’d like it though.”</p> - -<p>Barkison could see that O’Mahoney was trying to decide -whether to tell of his revelation or not. He decided not to. -They sat without speaking, and the Major listened to the -sounds of the ship. Distant voices from the salon and the -wheelhouse and, nearer them, the soft curses of Smitty, -the Indian cook, as he prepared lunch. The ship, Barkison -noticed, was rocking more than usual. Evans was probably -changing course.</p> - -<p>The Major excused himself and walked into the almost -dark salon and stood by the after door, looking out. In -shallow ridges the wake of the ship foamed on the sky-gray -water: gray when you looked at its surface but obsidian-dark<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> -beneath. A slight wind blew, troubling only the -gulls, who floated uneasily on it.</p> - -<p>Martin came and stood beside him in the doorway.</p> - -<p>“Ah, Mr Martin. Smooth sailing, isn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, very.”</p> - -<p>“I’m certainly glad it is. Certainly glad it’s calm. I had -thought we might have rough weather according to the -report, but it doesn’t seem so.”</p> - -<p>“Might be bad yet, Major. This is pretty unusual. In fact -this isn’t at all what we expected.”</p> - -<p>“Weather’s incalculable here, I suppose. That’s true of -all the Aleutians, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>“You’re right there. You can’t tell much till it’s almost -too late.”</p> - -<p>“What sort of work did you do before you came in the -army, if I may ask?”</p> - -<p>“I was an actor.”</p> - -<p>“Is that so?” At one time the Major had been interested -in the theater. He was still fascinated by the business. -“Were you in the pictures?”</p> - -<p>“No, on the stage. Up around New England.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed? This,” the Major pointed at the water, “this -seems quite different from that sort of work.”</p> - -<p>“In a way I suppose so. That’s what the army does. It’s -just one of those things, I guess.”</p> - -<p>“Just one of those things,” echoed the Major. He thought -of himself on a stage. In his mind he could see himself -playing Wellington. The uniforms would be flattering. He -would look martial in them. Major Barkison was a romantic, -a frustrated romantic perhaps, but still a romantic. -Before the war, when the army could wear civilian clothes,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span> -Major Barkison had worn very bright ties. “Must be interesting -work.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I guess I’ll do it again if I can.”</p> - -<p>“You must certainly. One should always do the thing -one does best.” The Major spoke with the firmness of the -master of the platitude.</p> - -<p>“That’s right, sir.”</p> - -<p>Major Barkison toyed with the thought of himself as -Wellington. The thought was pleasant and he examined -it from all angles. He dreamed for several moments.</p> - -<p>“I understand,” said Martin at last, “that they are going -to rotate to the States all men who’ve been here two years -or more.”</p> - -<p>“What? Oh, yes, that’s our policy. It’s a little hard to do, -naturally. There aren’t many replacements so far. How -long have you been here?”</p> - -<p>“Fourteen months. I’ve got another ten months to go.”</p> - -<p>“I know how you feel. How long has Mr Evans been -here?”</p> - -<p>“Over three years, but then he’s practically a native. -He lived in Seward. He probably likes Alaska.”</p> - -<p>“He must, to stay here that long. For some people, it’s a -good place.”</p> - -<p>“He used to fish in these waters.”</p> - -<p>“Really? He seems to want to go back now. I can’t say -I blame him.”</p> - -<p>“Neither do I.”</p> - -<p>Major Barkison wondered if his own request to join a -certain General in another theater would be granted. He -hoped it would be. There were times when he felt his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span> -whole career was being blocked in this, now inactive, -theater of war.</p> - -<p>“Arunga’s getting to be quite big, isn’t it, Major?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, it’s about the best developed island here. Probably -be quite a post-war base. Key to the northern defense.”</p> - -<p>“So I hear.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, the General was wise to build up Arunga.”</p> - -<p>“I hear he’s got a big house there with a grand piano -and all that sort of stuff.”</p> - -<p>Barkison laughed. “He lives in a shack.”</p> - -<p>“I guess somebody just started talking too much once.” -Martin looked about him. “I got to go up top now,” he -said. “Will you excuse me?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly.” Martin left through the galley.</p> - -<p>Major Barkison sat down on a bench in the salon. He -looked at the books in the rack. Most of them looked dull.</p> - -<p>He sat quietly and studied the linoleum of the deck. -The cracks in the linoleum formed interesting patterns, -rather like lines on a battle map. He wondered just what -battle these lines looked the most like. Probably Gettysburg. -All maps looked like Gettysburg.</p> - -<p>Bored, he examined the books again. One of them -caught his eye: a book of short biographies. He picked it -up and thumbed through the pages. The last biography -was about General Chinese Gordon. Interested, he began -to read. In his subconscious Wellington, for the time being, -began to fade. A stage appeared in the mind of the -Major, and he saw himself, the frustrated romantic, surrounded -by Mandarins; dressed as General Gordon, he -was receiving a large gold medal for his defeat of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span> -Wangs. Major Barkison could almost hear the offstage -cheers of a crowd. He began to frame a speech of thanks -in his mind. He could hear his own inner voice speaking -brilliantly and at length of attrition. As Chinese Gordon he -thought of these things.</p> - - -<h3>ii</h3> - -<p>At ten o’clock, two hours after they had left the Big -Harbor, Evans noticed that the barometer had dropped -alarmingly.</p> - -<p>He called Bervick over. Together they figured how -much the barometer had fallen in the last two hours. -Evans was worried; Bervick was not.</p> - -<p>“I seen this sort of thing before,” said Bervick. “Sometimes -it’s just the chain inside the barometer skipping a -little, or maybe it’s just for the time being. I seen this sort -of thing before.”</p> - -<p>“Sure, so have I.” Evans lowered his voice, he was afraid -the man at the wheel might hear them. “I seen it blow all -to hell, too, when the barometer dropped like this.” Evans -was nervous. He did not like to be nervous or seem nervous -at sea, but lately some of the most trivial things upset -him. A falling barometer, of course, was not trivial. On -the other hand, it was not an unusual thing.</p> - -<p>“Well, the weather don’t look bad, Skipper. Take a -look.”</p> - -<p>They opened one of the windows and looked out. The -sky, though fog-ridden and dark, was no more alarming -than ever. The sea was not high and the wind was light. -The sea gulls were still hovering about the ship.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span>“I still don’t like this,” murmured Evans. “It’s just the -way it was the time the williwaw caught us off Umnak, -remember that?”</p> - -<p>“Sure, I remember. We been hit before. What you so -hot and bothered about? You been sailing these waters a -long time. We seen the barometer drop worse than this.” -Bervick looked at him curiously.</p> - -<p>Evans turned away from the window. “I don’t know,” -he said finally. “I just got the jumps, I guess. This weather -gets under my skin sometimes.”</p> - -<p>“I know, it’s no good, this crazy weather.”</p> - -<p>Evans took a long shaky breath. “Well, we’re near -enough to a lot of inlets if anything blows up.”</p> - -<p>“That’s right.”</p> - -<p>“Tell the quartermaster to steer a half mile nearer -shore.”</p> - -<p>“O.K.” Bervick talked to the man at the wheel a moment. -Evans looked at the chart of the islands. Bervick -joined him and together they studied the chart and an old -logbook which had been used on their last trip.</p> - -<p>Evans rechecked the courses and the running times -around the different capes. The stretches of open sea, -while more vulnerable to the big winds, were generally -safest. The capes and spits of rock were dangerous. One -had to deal with them every fifteen minutes or so.</p> - -<p>He checked the bays and inlets that they would pass. -He also figured the times they would be abeam these -openings. At the first sign of danger he would anchor inside -one of these sheltered places. In the open sea they -would have to weather any storm that hit them, but there -would be no rocks in the open sea and that was a help.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span>“There’s some good harbors on Kulak,” said Bervick, -examining that island on the chart.</p> - -<p>“That’s right, we’ll be there early tomorrow morning. -We’ll leave this island around four in the afternoon. We’ll -coast along by Ilak for around six hours and then we hit -open sea.”</p> - -<p>“It’s about a hundred miles of open sea; it’ll take us -over nine hours. Then we reach Kulak.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll feel O.K. there. Weather’s good from there on.”</p> - -<p>“Sure the weather’s always good from there on. It’s always -wonderful here.” Bervick went back into his cabin. -His watch did not begin until four.</p> - -<p>Evans put away the charts. Then he stood by the window -and watched the sky. Toward the southwest the -clouds were dark, but the wind, which was faint, was -from almost the opposite direction. The wind could -change, though. When it was not strong and direct anything -could happen.</p> - -<p>Martin came into the wheelhouse. He looked at the -barometer and whistled.</p> - -<p>Evans was irritated. “Don’t whistle in the wheelhouse. -It’s bad luck.”</p> - -<p>“You always do.”</p> - -<p>“That’s different.”</p> - -<p>Martin chuckled, then, “Barometer’s mighty low. How -long she been dropping?”</p> - -<p>“For almost two hours.” Evans wished his first mate -would not talk so loudly in front of the man on watch.</p> - -<p>“That doesn’t look....”</p> - -<p>“No, it doesn’t.” Evans interrupted sharply. He looked<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span> -warningly at the wheelsman. Martin understood. He -walked over and stood beside Evans at the window.</p> - -<p>“The sky looks all right.”</p> - -<p>“Sure. Sure. That’s the way it always is.”</p> - -<p>“What’s all the emotion for?”</p> - -<p>“None of your damned business. Why don’t you crawl -in your sack?”</p> - -<p>“I think I will.” Grinning, Martin went into his cabin.</p> - -<p>Gloomily Evans looked at the sky again. He knew that -he must be acting strangely. He had never let them see -him nervous before. Weather was beginning to get on his -nerves after all his years in these waters.</p> - -<p>The wheelhouse was getting a little warm, he noticed. -He opened one of the windows and leaned out. The cold -damp air was refreshing as it blew in his face.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>At eight bells Smitty announced lunch. Martin took -Evans’ place on watch. Bervick and Evans went below to -the salon.</p> - -<p>The passengers were already seated. Their morale, -Evans could see, was quite high. Duval, oil streaks on his -face and clothes, looked tired.</p> - -<p>“Engines going smooth?” asked Evans sitting down.</p> - -<p>“Just like always. Little bit of trouble with a valve on -the starboard, but that’s all. The valve isn’t hitting quite -right.”</p> - -<p>“You got a spare part, haven’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Sure.”</p> - -<p>“Well, let’s not worry.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span>Smitty brought them hash and coffee and crackers. He -slammed the dishes down on the table.</p> - -<p>“I feel as if I could eat a horse,” said the Chaplain.</p> - -<p>“You come to the right place,” said Smitty. They laughed -at the old joke.</p> - -<p>“Any new developments?” asked the Major.</p> - -<p>Evans shook his head. “No, nothing new. We’re making -about twelve knots an hour. That’s nice time.” He looked -at Bervick. “Weather’s fine,” he added.</p> - -<p>“Splendid,” said the Major.</p> - -<p>“What was that you were reading, Major, when we -came in?” asked the Chaplain.</p> - -<p>“A piece about General Gordon. A great tragedy, Khartoum, -I mean. They were most incompetent. It’s a very -good example of politics in the army.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I know what you mean,” said O’Mahoney.</p> - -<p>“Are there many seals in these waters?” asked Hodges.</p> - -<p>Evans nodded. “A good many. If we see any salmon -running you’ll see a lot of seals chasing them. Sea lions -hang around all the time.”</p> - -<p>“I saw some this morning,” commented the Major. “I -understand they’re the fastest fish in the water.”</p> - -<p>“I believe they are classed as mammals,” corrected the -Chaplain, looking at Bervick who nodded.</p> - -<p>“That’s right, sir, they are mammals.”</p> - -<p>“You heard the Major,” Duval suddenly said. “They are -just big fish.”</p> - -<p>“A lot you know about fish,” said Bervick coolly.</p> - -<p>“I know enough about these things to know a fish when -I see one swim in the water.”</p> - -<p>“Anybody with any kind of sense knows that sea lions -aren’t fish.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span>“So you’re calling the Major and me dumb.”</p> - -<p>Bervick caught himself. “I’m sorry, Major, I didn’t -mean that, sir.”</p> - -<p>Major Barkison agreed, a little puzzled. “I’m sure you’re -right, Sergeant. I know nothing about these things.”</p> - -<p>Bervick looked at the Chief triumphantly. He murmured, -“That’s like I said: they aren’t fish.”</p> - -<p>The Chief was about to reply. Irritated, and a little -worried that the Major might get the wrong impression -of them, Evans said firmly, “I’ve heard all I want to hear -about sea lions.” Duval grumbled something and Bervick -looked at his plate. The silence was awkward.</p> - -<p>“When,” asked the Chaplain helpfully, “do we get to -Arunga?”</p> - -<p>“It’s about eight hundred miles. I always figure about -seventy hours or more,” Evans answered, glad to change -the subject.</p> - -<p>Evans thought of the falling barometer and the stormy -sky. For some reason, as he thought, the word “avunculus” -kept going through his head. He had no idea what it -meant but he must have heard or read it somewhere. The -desire to say the word was almost overpowering. Softly -he muttered to himself, “avunculus.”</p> - -<p>“What was that?” asked Bervick who, sitting nearest -him, had heard.</p> - -<p>“Nothing, I was thinking, that’s all.”</p> - -<p>“I thought you said something.”</p> - -<p>“What tonnage is this boat?” asked Hodges.</p> - -<p>“Something over three hundred,” answered Evans. He -had forgotten, if he had ever known, the exact tonnage.</p> - -<p>“That’s pretty big.”</p> - -<p>“For a small ship it’s average,” said Evans. In the past<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span> -he had sailed on all types of ships. He had been an oiler -and a deckhand and finally master of a fishing boat outside -Seward. Of all the ships he had been on, he liked -this one the best. She was easy to handle. He would like -to own a ship like this when the war was over. Many -changes would have to be made, of course. The ship was -so expensive to run that only the government could afford -the upkeep. He could think of at least a dozen changes -that should be made.</p> - -<p>The others discussed the ship, and Duval told them -about the engine room. He was proud of his engine room. -Evans knew Duval was a fine engineer.</p> - -<p>Evans looked at his empty plate and remembered that -the hash had been good today. Smitty had put garlic in it -and he liked garlic. The others seemed to like the hash, -too, and he was glad. He always felt like a host aboard -his ship. Ships were his home; this one in particular.</p> - -<p>Before the others had finished, Evans motioned to Bervick -and they excused themselves.</p> - -<p>In the wheelhouse Evans took Martin’s place on watch. -There had been no change in the barometer.</p> - -<p>“I want you to cut that stuff out,” said Evans abruptly.</p> - -<p>Bervick, who was playing with the dividers at the chart -table, looked surprised. “Cut what out?”</p> - -<p>“You know what I mean. All this arguing with the Chief. -I don’t like it and you better not let it happen again. You -got more sense than to fight with him in front of some -rank like the Major.”</p> - -<p>Bervick set his jaw. “No fault of mine if he wants to -argue all the time. You tell him to keep out of my business -and I won’t say nothing.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span>“I’ll talk to him, but you better remember too. I can’t -take much more of this stuff. You been at each other for -months now.”</p> - -<p>“He gets in my hair. He gets in my business.”</p> - -<p>“For Christ’s sake!” Evans exploded. “Can’t you forget -about that bitch? Can’t you figure that there’re a lot more -where that one came from? What’s wrong with you anyway?”</p> - -<p>Bervick gestured. “I guess I just been up here too long. -I guess that’s what’s the matter.”</p> - -<p>Evans was tired now. “Sure, that’s it. That’s what’s -wrong with all of us. We been to sea too long.” Evans -knew as well as Bervick the truth of this. After living too -long in close quarters with the same fifteen or twenty men, -one began to think and do irrational things. Women were -scarce and perhaps it was normal that Bervick should feel -so strongly. He watched Bervick as he fiddled with the -dividers on the chart. He was a good man to have around. -Evans liked his second mate.</p> - -<p>“How’s the barometer doing now?” asked Evans.</p> - -<p>Bervick looked at it, twisting his hair as he did. “About -the same. Bit lower, maybe.”</p> - -<p>Evans grunted. A mile ahead he could make out a long -black spit of rock and stone and reef. As they approached -it he changed the course. First five degrees to port, then -ten, then they were around the point. The end of the -island, some fifteen miles away, came clearly into view. -This island was a big one and mountainous. In the clear -but indirect light he could see the white peaks that marked -the westernmost cape. Because of the size of the volcanic -peaks the shore looked closer than it was.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span>“Sky’s still dark,” said Bervick. Evans noticed his mate’s -eyes were the color of the sea water. He had never noticed -that before. It was an unusual thing, Evans thought, but -having lived so long with Bervick he never really looked -at him and probably could not have described him. Evans -looked back at the sky.</p> - -<p>“Still bad looking. I don’t like it so much. Still we’re -keeping pretty close to shore. We can hide fast.”</p> - -<p>“Sure would delay us if something did blow up.”</p> - -<p>“It always does.”</p> - -<p>“You might,” said Evans after a moment, “check the lifeboat -equipment.”</p> - -<p>Bervick laughed. “We’re being real safe, aren’t we?”</p> - -<p>Evans was about to say, “Better safe than sorry,” but he -decided that it sounded too neat. Instead he said, “You -can’t ever tell. They haven’t been checked for a while.”</p> - -<p>“O.K., I’ll take a look.” He left through the door that -opened onto the upper deck where the two lifeboats and -one raft were kept.</p> - -<p>Evans watched the dark long point they had just passed -slowly fade into a harmless line on the water.</p> - -<p>Martin returned from the galley. He glanced at the -barometer as he came in. He did not comment on what -he saw.</p> - -<p>“What’s the course?” he asked.</p> - -<p>Evans told him.</p> - -<p>“Where did Bervick go? Is he in the sack?”</p> - -<p>“He’s out on deck.”</p> - -<p>“He and the Chief were really going to town at lunch.”</p> - -<p>“Yeah, I don’t like that stuff. I told Bervick to stop it.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span>“You better tell the Chief, too; a lot of this mess is his -fault. You know the whole story, don’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Sure, I know the story. Bervick’s been weeping over -it long enough. I’m talking to the Chief, don’t worry.”</p> - -<p>A gust of wet wind swept through the wheelhouse as -Bervick came back in.</p> - -<p>“Cold outside?” asked Evans.</p> - -<p>Bervick shook his head. “Not bad. The boats are in -good shape. Water’s still fresh in the tanks.”</p> - -<p>“Good.”</p> - -<p>Bervick walked toward his cabin. “I think I’ll turn in,” -he said.</p> - -<p>“So will I,” Evans wrote down the course and the time -and a description of the weather in the logbook. “Get me -up,” he said to Martin, “if you see a ship or something. -You got the course straight?”</p> - -<p>“I got it.”</p> - -<p>Evans went into his cabin. He took the papers off his -desk so that they would not fall on the deck if the ship -should roll. He looked at himself in the mirror and said -quite loudly, “Avunculus.”</p> - - -<h3>iii</h3> - -<p>Major Barkison found the Chief to be good, if not particularly -intelligent, company. In the middle of the afternoon -Duval had joined the Major in the salon. They -talked of New Orleans.</p> - -<p>“I have always felt,” said the Major, recalling in his -mind the French Quarter, “that there was no other place<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span> -like New Orleans. It’s not like New York. It is nothing like -Paris.” Major Barkison had never been to Paris but that -was not really important.</p> - -<p>“It sure is a fine place,” said Duval. “Those women -there are something.” He winked largely at the Major who -quickly agreed.</p> - -<p>Duval continued, “Yes, I think of those women up here -all the time; anywhere, in fact, because there’s just nothing -like them anywhere.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said the Major. He changed the subject. “Of -course the food is wonderful down there; marvellous -shrimp there.”</p> - -<p>“So do I like it. You know I used to know a girl down -there who was pretty enough to be in the pictures, and -she was some lay, too. I was just a young fellow at the -time and she was maybe seventeen, eighteen then, and -we sure played around together. She was sure some woman. -I bet you can’t guess what she’s doing now?”</p> - -<p>“No,” said the Major, making a good mental guess. “No, -I can’t guess what she’s doing.”</p> - -<p>“Well, she’s got a big bar in New York and some girls -on the side. I bet she makes more money than all of us -put together. I got a picture of her here. I always carry her -picture around with me. You can bet my wife don’t like it.” -The Chief pulled a worn leather wallet from his pocket. -He opened it and showed the Major a picture.</p> - -<p>Major Barkison smiled stiffly and looked at the heavy -mulatto nude. “Very nice,” he said.</p> - -<p>“You bet she is. She’s some woman.” He put away the -wallet. “I’d sure like to see her again sometime. She is -some woman.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span>“She seems to be,” said the Major.</p> - -<p>Duval looked into space. A distant expression came over -his harsh and angular features. Barkison coughed. “Do -you put into the Big Harbor often?” he asked.</p> - -<p>Duval nodded, returning slowly to the present. “We -stop in there once, twice a week. That’s our regular run. -It’s the most civilized place on the Chain.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I know. There seems to be an unusual number of -civilians there. What’s their status? I’ve never really looked -into the problems of the civilian population up here, that’s -another department.”</p> - -<p>The Chief scratched himself thoughtfully. “Well, they’re -just here. That’s all I know. They work in the stores. Some -were pre-war residents. A lot of them are middle-aged -women. We aren’t supposed to have nothing to do with -them. The army’s real strict.” The Chief laughed. “But -there are all kinds of ways to operate. Them girls get -pretty rich.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose they do. They seemed an awful-looking lot.”</p> - -<p>“Most of them are. There’s one that isn’t, though. She’s -Norwegian. You know the type, real blonde and clean-looking. -She’s real good. We been operating for some time -now.”</p> - -<p>“Is that so?” The Major wondered how, as an upholder -of army regulations, he should take this. He decided he -would forget it after a while.</p> - -<p>“She’s gotten around a lot, of course. You know the -mate. The squarehead, Bervick.”</p> - -<p>The Major said he did.</p> - -<p>“Well, him and this girl were hitting it off pretty well -until I came along. So I give her some money and she’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> -like all the rest and quits him. He acts like a big fool then. -He hasn’t caught on that she’s the kind that’ll carry on -with any guy. He’s dumb that way and I got no time for -a damn fool.”</p> - -<p>“It seems a shame that you two shouldn’t get along -better.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, it’s not bad. He just shoots off his mouth every -now and then a little too much. He’s a little crazy from -being up here so long.”</p> - -<p>“I can imagine he might be. It’s hard enough on shore -with a lot of people. Must be a lot worse on a small ship.”</p> - -<p>Duval agreed. “It is,” he said, “but you get used to it. -When you get to be our age you don’t give much of a -damn about things. You do what you please, isn’t that -right, Major?”</p> - -<p>Barkison nodded. He was somewhat irritated at being -included in the same age group with the Chief. There was -almost twenty years’ difference in their ages. Major Barkison -tried to look youthful, less like Wellington. He looked -too old for thirty-one.</p> - -<p>“Well, I think I’ll go below and see if the engines are -going to hold together.” Duval gestured cheerily and -walked out of the salon, balancing himself, catlike, on the -rolling deck.</p> - -<p>The Major got to his feet and stretched. He felt lazy -and at ease. This was the first real vacation he had had -since the war began. It was good not to be writing and -reading reports and making inspections.</p> - -<p>He had enjoyed his visit to Andrefski Bay, though. The -ATS Captain had been a bit hard to take but the officers -had been most obliging. He had finally made out a report<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span> -saying that the port should be closed except for a small -housekeeping crew. This report had naturally made him -popular with the bored men of Andrefski.</p> - -<p>The Major walked about the empty salon, examining -the books. They seemed as dull as ever to him. He decided -he would finish reading about Gordon. He had read little -more than a page when Hodges strolled into the salon and -sat down beside him. The Major closed the book.</p> - -<p>“A little rougher,” commented Hodges.</p> - -<p>“Yes. I suppose they’ve changed course again. Have you -been up in the wheelhouse?”</p> - -<p>“No, I was down in the focs’le. I was talking with some -of the crew.”</p> - -<p>“Really?” Major Barkison was not sure if this was such -a good thing; as experience, however, it might be rewarding. -“What did they have to say?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, not so much. They were talking about an Indian -who drank some methyl alcohol the other night.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I heard about that.”</p> - -<p>“Well, they were just talking. Same thing, or rather -something very like it, happened to his brother down in -Southeastern Alaska.”</p> - -<p>“Is that right?” The Major played with the book on his -lap.</p> - -<p>“He was working on a wharf on one of those rivers and -he fell in. They said he never came up again. There was a -lot of thick mud under the water and he just went down -in it. People just disappear in it.”</p> - -<p>“Is that right?” The Major wondered if he would be sick -again. The ship was beginning to roll almost as badly as -it had on the trip to the Big Harbor.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span>“I guess that must be awful,” said Hodges frowning, “to -fall in the water like that and go right down. They said -there were just a few bubbles and that was all. Must have -been an awful sensation, going down, I mean.”</p> - -<p>“I can imagine,” said the Major. He remembered the -time he had almost drowned in the ocean. His whole life -had not passed in review through his head; he remembered -that. The only thing he had thought of was getting -out of the water. A lifeguard towed him in.</p> - -<p>“You know they were telling me,” said Hodges, “that -there’s an old Indian belief that if a dying man recognizes -you, you will be the next to die.”</p> - -<p>“That’s an interesting superstition. Did this fellow, the -one who died last night, did he recognize anyone before -he died?”</p> - -<p>“No, as a matter of fact he was unconscious all the -time.”</p> - -<p>“Oh.”</p> - -<p>Hodges tied one of his shoes thoughtfully. The Major -could see he was still thinking of the Indian.</p> - -<p>“What else did you hear?” asked the Major. He was always -interested to know what the men thought of their -officers. Sometimes their judgments were very shrewd.</p> - -<p>“Not much, they talked a lot about Evans.”</p> - -<p>“Do they like him?”</p> - -<p>“They wouldn’t really say, of course; probably not, but -they think he’s a fine seaman.”</p> - -<p>“That’s all that’s really important.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what I said. They say he married a girl in Seattle. -He’d only known her a week.”</p> - -<p>“How long did they live together?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span>“Around a month. He was up in Anchorage last month -getting a divorce from her.”</p> - -<p>“Did she ask for it?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t guess they know. I gather he hadn’t heard from -her in the last three years.”</p> - -<p>“People should be more careful about these things,” -said the Major. He, himself, had been when he married -the daughter of his commanding officer. She was a fine -girl. Unfortunately her father had died soon after they -were married. They had been happy, nevertheless.</p> - -<p>Hodges got to his feet and said he thought he would go -to the wheelhouse. He left. The Major put his book down -on the floor. He was sleepy. There was something restful -in the rocking motion of the ship. He yawned and -stretched out on the bench.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Major Barkison awoke with a start. The ship was pitching -considerably. The salon was in darkness. Outside evening -and dark clouds gave a twilight coloring to the sea -and sky.</p> - -<p>He looked at his watch. It was four-thirty. In the galley -he could hear Smitty cursing among the clattering pots -and pans. He turned on one of the lights in the salon. The -salon looked even more dismal in the pale light.</p> - -<p>He picked the book up from the deck and tried to read -it, but the motion of the ship was too much for him.</p> - -<p>Hodges came into the salon from the after door. His -face and clothes were damp from spray; there was salt -matted in his hair. His face was flushed.</p> - -<p>“I’ve been out on deck, Major,” he said, slamming the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span> -door shut. “She’s really getting rough. The Skipper told -me I’d better come back inside.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, it seems to be getting much rougher.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll say.” Hodges took off his wet parka and disappeared -into the galley. A few minutes later he was back, his face -and hair dry.</p> - -<p>“What did Mr Evans have to say about the weather?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know. He yelled to me out the window, that’s -all. I was on the front deck. So I came back in. The waves -are really going over the deck.”</p> - -<p>“Oh.” The Major was beginning to feel sick.</p> - -<p>Chaplain O’Mahoney walked into the salon from the -galley.</p> - -<p>“Isn’t this rolling dreadful?” he said. The Major noticed -that the Chaplain was unusually pale.</p> - -<p>“It’s not so nice,” said Major Barkison. O’Mahoney sat -down abruptly. He was breathing noisily. “I certainly hope -these waves don’t get any larger,” he said. He ran his hand -shakily over his forehead.</p> - -<p>“It couldn’t be much of a storm,” said the Major. “Mr -Evans would have said something about it earlier. They -can tell those things before they happen. There’s a lot of -warning.” The Major was uneasy, though. Hodges, he -noticed, seemed to enjoy this.</p> - -<p>Major Barkison went to one of the portholes and looked -out. They were in open sea now. The island was five or -six miles behind them. Waves, gray and large, were billowing -under the ship. On the distant shore he could see -great sheets of white spray as the waves broke on the -sharp rocks. A light drizzle misted the air.</p> - -<p>Very little wind blew. The sky was dark over the island<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span> -mountains behind them. No gulls flew overhead. A greenish -light colored the air.</p> - -<p>“What does it look like to you?” asked Hodges.</p> - -<p>“Just bad weather, I guess. We’re in the open now, I -see.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, we left the island a little after four. We’ll be near -Ilak around seven tonight.”</p> - -<p>“I wonder which is best in a storm: to be near shore or -out like this?”</p> - -<p>Hodges shrugged, “Hard to tell. I like the idea of being -near land. You don’t suppose we’re going to have one of -those big storms, do you?”</p> - -<p>“Heaven forbid!” said the Chaplain from his seat on the -bench.</p> - -<p>“Well, if it is one I have every confidence in the Master -of the ship,” said Major Barkison, upholding vested authority -from force of habit. The idea of a storm did not -appeal to him.</p> - -<p>“I think we should go see Evans,” said Hodges.</p> - -<p>The Major considered a moment. “Might not be a bad -idea. We should have some idea of what he plans to do. -We might even go back to the Big Harbor.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s go up, sir.”</p> - -<p>Hodges and the Major went into the galley. The Chaplain -did not care to go. In the galley they found Smitty -groaning in a corner. He was very sick.</p> - -<p>They went up the companionway to the wheelhouse. -Evans, Martin and Bervick were standing together around -the chart table. Only Evans noticed them as they entered.</p> - -<p>“Bad weather,” Evans announced abruptly. “The wind’s -going to blow big soon.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span>“What’s going to be done?” asked the Major.</p> - -<p>“Wait till we’ve figured this out.” Evans lowered his -head over the chart. Together with his mates he talked in -a low voice and measured distances.</p> - -<p>Major Barkison looked out the windows and found the -lurid view of sky and water terrifying. He wished that he -had flown. He would have been in Arunga by now.</p> - -<p>The Chief came into the wheelhouse. He spoke a moment -with Evans who waved him away. Duval came over -to the Major. “Bit of a storm,” said Duval.</p> - -<p>“Doesn’t look good. You know about these things, does -this look particularly bad to you?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know. All storms are different. You don’t know -until it’s over just how bad it was. That sky looks awful.”</p> - -<p>“Quite dark. This greenish light is new to me.”</p> - -<p>They watched the ink-dark center of the storm, spreading -behind the white peaks of the island they had recently -passed. Evans turned around and spoke to the Chief. -“Engines in good shape?”</p> - -<p>“That’s right.”</p> - -<p>“Could you get up any more speed, say thirteen knots?”</p> - -<p>“Not if you want to keep the starboard engine in one -piece.”</p> - -<p>In a low voice Evans talked with Bervick. He spoke -again to the Chief. “Keep going just as you are, then. -Keep pretty constant. I’m heading for Ilak. The wind -probably won’t be bad until evening.</p> - -<p>“If it holds off for a dozen hours or so, or if it isn’t too -strong, I’ll take her into Kulak Bay tomorrow morning. -We’ll be safe in there.” Evans spoke with authority. The -Major could not help but admire his coolness. He seemed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span> -to lack all nervousness. The Major was only too conscious -of his own nerves.</p> - -<p>Hodges was listening, fascinated, his dark eyes bright -with excitement. Major Barkison wished he could be as -absorbed in events as young Hodges. I have too much -imagination, thought the Major sadly. He would have to -set an example, though. His rank and training demanded -it.</p> - -<p>“What would you like us to do, Mr Evans?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Keep cool. That’s about all. Stay below and stay near -the crew. If anything should go wrong, they’ll get you in -the lifeboats. The chances of this thing getting that bad -are pretty slight, but we have to be ready.”</p> - -<p>“I see.”</p> - -<p>“Is the Chaplain in the salon?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. I think he’s sick. Your cook is, too.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t help that. I’d appreciate it, Major, if you and the -Lieutenant would go below. The mate who is not on duty -here will stay in the salon with you. I’ll have him keep -you posted on what’s happening.”</p> - -<p>“Right.” Major Barkison was relieved to see Evans had -such firm control of the situation. “We’ll go down now,” -he said to Evans.</p> - -<p>In the salon the Chaplain was waiting for them. “What -did they have to say?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Going to blow pretty hard,” the Major answered.</p> - -<p>The Chaplain groaned. “I suppose we must bear this,” -he said at last in a tired voice. “These things will happen.”</p> - -<p>Duval walked in; he looked worried. “I don’t like this -so much,” he said.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span>“It does seem messy,” the Major answered, trying to -sound flippant.</p> - -<p>“Looks like the start of a williwaw. That’s what I think -it looks like. I could be wrong.” Duval was gloomy.</p> - -<p>“What,” asked the Chaplain, “is a williwaw?”</p> - -<p>“Big northern storm. Kind of hurricane with a lot of -snow. Just plain undiluted hell. They come and go real -quick, but they do a lot of damage.”</p> - -<p>“I hope you’re wrong,” the Major said fervently.</p> - -<p>“So do I.” Duval hurried off toward his engine room. -Chaplain O’Mahoney sat quietly on the bench. Hodges -watched the big waves through the porthole.</p> - -<p>Major Barkison said, “I think I’ll go to my cabin. If -anybody wants me, tell them I’m there. I’m going to try to -sleep a little.” This was bluff and he knew it sounded that -way, but somehow he felt better saying it.</p> - -<p>He opened the after door and stepped out on the stern. -The ship was rocking violently and he had trouble keeping -his footing. The wind was damp and cold. He waited for -the ship to sink down between two waves, then, quickly, -he ran along the deck toward the bow and his cabin.</p> - -<p>A wall of gray water sprang up beside him, then in a -moment it was gone and the ship was on the crest of a -wave. He slipped on the sea-wet deck, but caught himself -on the railing. As they sank down again into another sea-valley, -he reached the door to his cabin. He went inside -and slammed the door shut as spray splashed against it.</p> - -<p>He stood for a moment in the wood-and-salt-smelling -darkness. Great shudders shook him. Nerves, he thought. -He switched on the light.</p> - -<p>Water, he noticed, was trickling in through the porthole.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> -He fastened it tight. More water was trickling under -the door from the deck. He could do nothing about that.</p> - -<p>Major Barkison took off his parka and lay down on his -bunk. He was beginning to feel sick to his stomach. He -hoped he would not become sick now.</p> - -<p>If the ship went up on the crest of a wave within the -count of three....</p> - -<p>Outside the wind started to blow, very lightly at first.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>Chapter Four</i></h2> -</div> - - -<h3>i</h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">Bervick</span> sat on a tall stool by the window, his legs braced -against the bulkhead. The ship groaned and creaked as she -was tossed from wave to hollow to wave again.</p> - -<p>Evans stood near the wheelsman. He watched the compass. -They were having trouble keeping on course, for -with each large wave they were thrown several degrees -off.</p> - -<p>“Keep her even,” said Evans.</p> - -<p>“It’s pretty hard....” A wave crashed over their bow, -spray flooded the windows for a moment. They were -swung ten degrees to starboard.</p> - -<p>“Hard to port,” said Evans, holding tightly onto the -railing.</p> - -<p>The man whirled the wheel until they were again on -course.</p> - -<p>“Pretty hard, isn’t it?” Bervick looked over at Evans.</p> - -<p>“Not easy. Pitching like hell.”</p> - -<p>“Why not get her on electric steering?”</p> - -<p>“Might break. Then where’d we be?”</p> - -<p>“Right here.”</p> - -<p>Evans stood by the compass. He knew they could not -afford to be even a few degrees off their course. Ilak was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span> -a small island, and if they should miss it.... Evans did -not like to think of what might happen then.</p> - -<p>He wished the storm would begin soon if it were going -to begin at all. Waiting for the big wind was a strain, and -there was no sign of the wind yet. Only the sea was becoming -larger.</p> - -<p>The sky was still dark where the heart of the storm was -gathered. Dirty white snow clouds stretched bleakly in the -damp almost windless air. The strange green light was -starting to fade into the storm and evening darkness. Gray -twenty-foot waves rolled smoothly under them, lifting -them high and then dropping them down into deep -troughs.</p> - -<p>Evans noticed the man at the wheel was pale.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter?” he asked. “You feeling the -weather?”</p> - -<p>“A little bit. I don’t know why.”</p> - -<p>“You been drinking too much of that swill at the Big -Harbor.”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t have so much.” The man spoke weakly. There -were small drops of sweat on his forehead.</p> - -<p>“You better get some air,” said Evans. “I’ll take her.”</p> - -<p>Quickly the man went to one of the wheelhouse windows, -opened it, and leaned out. Evans took the wheel. -He could get the feel of the ship when he was steering. -He liked to take the wheel. Each time they descended into -a trough they would be thrown several degrees off course. -He would straighten them out as they reached the next -wave-crest, then the same thing would happen again. It -was not easy to keep the ship even.</p> - -<p>“How’s it feel?” Bervick asked.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span>“Fine. We’re going to be knocked around a bit before -we’re through. May have to lash the wheel in place.”</p> - -<p>Spray splattered the windows of the wheelhouse. Salt -water streamed down the glass making salt patterns as it -went. Evans tried to make out land ahead of them, but -the mist was too thick on the water. They were in the open -sea now. Somehow Evans felt very alone, as though he -were standing by himself in a big empty room. That was -a favorite nightmare of his: the empty room. He would -often dream that he had walked into this place expecting -to find someone, but no one was ever there. Then he would -dream that he was falling; after that he would wake up. -Once in Anchorage a girl he had spent the night with told -him that he had talked in his sleep. He told her his dream; -she never dreamed, though, and could not understand.</p> - -<p>Evans let his mind drift. Anything to keep from thinking -of the coming storm. That was a bad thing about -storms: you could not really get ready for one. Once you -knew a storm was coming all you could do was wait and -deal with it when it came.</p> - -<p>He wondered what would be said if he lost the ship. -He could hear the Captain at Andrefski saying, “I knew -all along that guy Evans would crack up. I told him not -to go.” People were all alike that way. Make a mistake, or -even have some bad luck and they’ll say that they knew -it was going to happen all along. People were all alike, -thought Evans gloomily. He felt like a drink. He would -not let himself have one, though. He would have to be -able to think quickly. His stomach was already fluttering -as he waited.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span>Evans looked over at the man on watch. He was still -leaning out the window, his shoulders heaving. At last he -turned around. He was pale but seemed relieved. “I guess -I’m O.K. now,” he said.</p> - -<p>Evans stepped away from the wheel. “You sure you’re -not going to get sick again?”</p> - -<p>“Yeah, I’m all right.” The man took the wheel. Evans -gave him the course. Then Evans walked to the port side -where Bervick sat watching the water. He was daydreaming. -His eyes were fixed on the sea.</p> - -<p>In silence they looked out the windows. Except for an -occasional sound of creaking from the bow, there was no -sound to be heard in the ship. The wheelhouse was getting -too warm, Evans thought. He unbuttoned his shirt. His -hands shook a little as he did. This annoyed him.</p> - -<p>“Getting warm, Skipper?”</p> - -<p>“It’s too hot in here. The Chief’s really got the heat -going fine. When we really need it in port he breaks something.”</p> - -<p>“Engine rooms are always like that. I’m glad I’m not an -engineer.”</p> - -<p>The clock struck three bells. Evans looked at his watch. -He always did that when the clock struck.</p> - -<p>“When do you figure we’ll be off Ilak?” Bervick asked.</p> - -<p>“Just about two hours. Just about seven-thirty.”</p> - -<p>Bervick scratched his long hair thoughtfully. “I don’t -think this thing’s going to blow up for a while.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t either. We better just hope that we’re near a -good bay when it does. I expect well get the big wind -tonight. It’s taking a long time getting here.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span>“That’s what I like.” Bervick looked at the black unchanging -storm center. “Maybe we’ll miss the whole -thing.”</p> - -<p>Evans smiled. “No chance, bucko, we’ll get all of it. -Right in the teeth, that’s where we’re going to get it.”</p> - -<p>“I wish I never left the Merchant Marine.”</p> - -<p>“You got a hard life.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what I think.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t we all.” Evans made his mouth smile again. He -tried to be casual.</p> - -<p>His ex-wife would get his insurance, he thought suddenly. -He remembered that he had not changed it from her -name to his family’s. He chuckled to himself. Everyone -would be surprised. She would be surprised to get it; his -family would be furious for not getting it. His father had -four other sons and an unproductive farm. The insurance -would be useful to them. He had not seen his family -for seven years but sometimes they wrote to him. His -mother always wrote. She was an educated woman but -his father had never learned to read or write. He never -felt there was much advantage in it. Evans thought of his -family. His mind raced from person to person. He tried to -recall how each of them looked. This was a good game -that he often played with himself. It kept his mind off -things that were bothering him, off storms, for instance.</p> - -<p>Evans thought of his wife. She was a nice girl. If he had -met her at any other time than during a war they might -have been happy. He did not know her very well, though. -He could not decide whether their marriage would have -been any good or not. He wondered what she was doing -now and where she was. He felt rather sad that he had not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span> -had time to know her better. There were others, of course. -There was consolation in that.</p> - -<p>A wave, larger than the rest, hit violently across their -bow. Evans staggered and almost fell. Bervick and his -stool were upset and Bervick was thrown heavily on the -deck. He stood up swearing.</p> - -<p>“How did it feel?” asked Evans.</p> - -<p>“Guess.” Bervick limped across the wheelhouse and got -the stool again. He placed it in one corner under the railing. -He did not sit down again. “Waves getting larger,” -he said.</p> - -<p>“We haven’t seen nothing,” said Evans. He looked at -the compass. “Get on course,” he said sharply. They were -a dozen degrees off.</p> - -<p>“O.K., O.K.,” the wheelsman was beginning to sound a -little desperate. He had not been at sea long.</p> - -<p>Evans went back to his corner. He tried to recall what -he had been thinking about, but his train of thought had -been shattered. Only fragments were left to trouble him.</p> - -<p>He looked at the forward deck. It had never looked so -clean. The constant spray had made the gray-blue deck -glisten. The door to the focs’le opened and a swarthy face -appeared. The fat cook looked out at the slippery deck. -Carefully the fat cook stepped up on the deck. A small -wave hit the bow. He tried to get back in the focs’le but -he was too slow. The wave threw him against the railing. -Struggling, he was floating aft. Evans could see him, soaking -wet, get to his feet at last and disappear in the direction -of the galley.</p> - -<p>“Some sailor, the cook,” remarked Bervick.</p> - -<p>“He’s some cook, too. He can burn water.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span>The wheelhouse door opened and Martin joined them. -His face showed no particular expression. He seemed to -be unaware of the storm. He glanced at the barometer.</p> - -<p>“A little lower,” he remarked.</p> - -<p>Evans looked at it, too. “Yes, the thing’s fallen some -more.” He went to the chart table and recorded the barometer’s -reading in the logbook.</p> - -<p>“When’s the wind going to start?” Martin asked.</p> - -<p>“Can’t tell yet, John,” Bervick said. “Around midnight, -that’s my guess.”</p> - -<p>“How’re the passengers?” asked Evans.</p> - -<p>“They’re pretty bothered. The Chaplain’s sick as a dog.”</p> - -<p>“Where’d the Major go when he left here?”</p> - -<p>“He went to his cabin. I guess he’s in the sack.”</p> - -<p>Evans frowned. “I wanted them to stay in the salon. -You should have kept them there. Suppose he comes walking -down the deck and a wave knocks him overboard?”</p> - -<p>“That’s an act of God,” snapped Martin. For some reason -Evans was pleased to have irritated his Mate. “Besides,” -Martin added, “he’d already gone when I went -below.”</p> - -<p>“Well, when you go down again get him back in the -salon. What’s Hodges doing?”</p> - -<p>“He thinks it’s a game.”</p> - -<p>“I’m glad somebody’s having a good time.” Evans leaned -against the bulkhead. The ship was not pitching quite so -much now. The wind, what there was of it, was probably -shifting. He remembered his insurance again. He wished -he had taken care of it before they left. “Leave nothing -undone and nothing begun,” a Warrant Officer in Anchorage<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span> -had told him. The words had a nice sound to them. -They were also true.</p> - -<p>“I’ve never been in a williwaw,” remarked Martin.</p> - -<p>Evans glanced at him. He did not like to hear a storm -described aloud in advance. Evans had a complicated system -of beliefs. If some things were mentioned before they -happened they would take place exactly as mentioned. -He never said much about bad weather before it broke. -He would never have said this was going to be a williwaw. -That was predicting, not guessing.</p> - -<p>“Weren’t you aboard that time we was off Umnak?” -asked Bervick.</p> - -<p>Martin shook his head. “I was having some teeth fixed. -I missed that show.”</p> - -<p>“I guess you did at that. You’ll make up for that now.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose I will.”</p> - -<p>A thirty-foot wave swept them amidships. The wheelhouse -creaked as the salt water cascaded over them. Martin -stumbled. The stool rolled across the deck. The man -at the wheel lost his grip; the wheel spun around. Evans -grabbed it quickly. His right arm felt as if it had been -ripped off. With a great deal of trouble he got the ship on -course again.</p> - -<p>“You hang on this,” he said to the wheelsman. “When -you being relieved?”</p> - -<p>“In a half-hour.”</p> - -<p>“Well, keep holding it tight. We don’t want to wander -all over this damned ocean.”</p> - -<p>“Pretty good-sized wave,” said Bervick.</p> - -<p>“Yeah, and there’re more where that came from.” Evans<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span> -was breathing hard. The struggle with the wheel had tired -him. His arm ached. He flexed it carefully.</p> - -<p>“Get your arm?” Bervick was watching him.</p> - -<p>“Just about pulled the thing off.” Evans went to the -window and leaned on the sill. The wave that had just hit -them was a freak one, for the sea was not as high as it had -been. The wind definitely seemed to be shifting. The sky -was becoming darker. There was snow ahead.</p> - -<p>Martin left them, and went below. Absently Evans -rubbed his arm; it hurt him. He watched the water and -waited for the big wind to come.</p> - - -<h3>ii</h3> - -<p>Duval walked into the galley. He was hungry and, bad -weather or not, he did not like to miss too many meals.</p> - -<p>Several members of the crew were playing cards at the -galley table. They were taking the storm casually. They -pretended not to be interested in what was happening -outside.</p> - -<p>The ship rocked violently. Heavy coffee mugs slid back -and forth on the galley table. Smitty sat in a corner of the -galley, his chin on his knees. From time to time he would -groan. The fat cook, in salt-soaked clothes, opened cans.</p> - -<p>Duval took a can of hash out of the locker. The ship -rolled suddenly, slanting the deck. He stumbled across the -galley and sat down on the bench with the others.</p> - -<p>“Lousy, isn’t it?” commented one of them.</p> - -<p>“Just a little blow, that’s all. You’ve never seen nothing -till you’ve seen a tropical hurricane. This stuff up here is -nothing like that. This is a breeze.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span>“Sure, we heard that one before, Chief.”</p> - -<p>“That’s the truth.” The Chief put food into his mouth. -He had not realized how hungry he was. The fat cook -poured him coffee.</p> - -<p>The men talked about the Big Harbor and other things. -They did not speak of the storm which was beginning. -They spoke of the Indian who had died at the Big Harbor. -Everyone told the story differently and Duval was bored -to hear the story again. He had never liked Aleuts anyway. -He looked at Smitty in the corner.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter with you?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“This water.” Smitty cursed for several moments. “This -the last trip I ever make. I seen everything now. I’m getting -off this boat, I’m going back fast. We ain’t never getting -out of this.” His dirt-colored hands gestured limply. -The others laughed.</p> - -<p>“Take it easy, Smitty,” said the Chief. “You going to live -forever.” Smitty said nothing.</p> - -<p>Duval chuckled. He was not frightened by bad weather. -He had seen so many storms and he did have confidence -in Evans. Duval was not worried.</p> - -<p>The men talked of the Big Harbor and of all the things -they had done.</p> - -<p>“Say, Chief,” said one, “did you see Olga?”</p> - -<p>“Sure I saw her. I always see her. Anybody with money -can see her.”</p> - -<p>The man laughed. “I guess Bervick isn’t feeling so good -today.”</p> - -<p>“He takes life too seriously,” said the Chief and that was -all he would say.</p> - -<p>Hodges came into the galley from the salon.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span>“What’ve you been up to, Lieutenant?” asked Duval, -genially.</p> - -<p>“I’ve been wandering around the boat. I’ve never seen -waves as big as they are outside. They must be over fifty -feet.”</p> - -<p>“Not quite that big but they will be pretty soon.” Duval -closed his eyes for a moment. He had found that closing -his eyes for a moment or so was very restful. It soothed -him to do this. He was not at all worried, of course.</p> - -<p>The light from the electric bulb overhead shone on his -eyelids, and he could see nothing but red with his eyes -shut, a warm clear red. He thought of the colorful bayou -land of Louisiana. Usually he did not care where he was, -but he did like color and there was no color in the Aleutians, -only light and shadow on rock and water. The Chief -opened his eyes.</p> - -<p>Hodges was biting his thumbnail. The Chief watched -him. He wondered what he might have done if he had -been as well educated as Hodges. Probably the same -things. Life was about the same for all people; only the -details varied.</p> - -<p>“I hear they expect the big wind around midnight,” said -Hodges.</p> - -<p>“That’s what Evans says. He don’t know, though. He -guesses just like the rest of us do. We guess, we all guess -and most of the time we’re wrong.” The Chief enjoyed -discrediting Evans occasionally.</p> - -<p>“Well, it should be some sight. I’m glad I’ll be able to -see it.” One of the deckhands laughed.</p> - -<p>“You won’t like it so much,” said Duval. “Even though<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span> -these blows up here aren’t nothing compared to what we -used to have in the Gulf.” The crew laughed. Anything -that could keep their minds away from the coming storm -was good.</p> - -<p>“What’s happened to the Chaplain?” asked Duval.</p> - -<p>“He’s in the salon. I expect he’s feeling bad. He doesn’t -take to this sea business at all.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose I’d better go see how he is.” Carefully Duval -got to his feet and walked across the deck. He slipped -once and swore to himself as he did. His balance wasn’t -as steady as it had once been.</p> - -<p>Chaplain O’Mahoney was sitting at the galley table, his -jaw set and his face white. He was playing solitaire. He -looked up as they came in and he managed to smile.</p> - -<p>“I suppose it will be worse,” he said.</p> - -<p>Duval nodded.</p> - -<p>“That’s what I expected.”</p> - -<p>“This’ll really be something to tell our grandchildren,” -said Hodges cheerfully. The Chaplain laughed.</p> - -<p>“Something to tell <i>your</i> grandchildren,” he said.</p> - -<p>“If you ever live to have any,” remarked Duval.</p> - -<p>They sat together around the table, each thinking of the -storm. Duval watched the Chaplain’s hands. They were -white and plump and helpless. The Chaplain, Duval -thought, could not have fixed a valve or even changed a -sparkplug in a car. Of course the Chaplain knew many -things. He could speak Latin, and Duval was impressed -by Latin and the Church rituals. O’Mahoney’s soft hands -could give blessings and that was an important thing. Perhaps -it made no difference that his hands were not practical.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span>“Are you Catholic?” asked O’Mahoney, turning to -Hodges.</p> - -<p>The Lieutenant shook his head. “No, we’re Episcopal -down home.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed? I have known some very fine Episcopal ministers, -very fine ones.”</p> - -<p>“We’ve got a lot of them down home, ministers I mean.”</p> - -<p>“I should suppose so. I knew some before I went into -the monastery.”</p> - -<p>“What’s a monastery like, sir?”</p> - -<p>“Just like anything like that would be. Just the way -you’d expect it to be. Perhaps a little like the army.”</p> - -<p>“It must be queer, being so out of things.”</p> - -<p>“One’s not so far out of the world. There is certainly -nothing harder than living in close quarters with a group -of people.”</p> - -<p>“I thought it was supposed to be a kind of escape.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly not. We have more time to think about the -world. Of course, we do own nothing, and that makes life -much simpler. Most people spend all their lives thinking -of possessions.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose you’re right,” said Hodges. Duval did not -listen as they talked. Instead he walked restlessly about -the salon.</p> - -<p>Through the after door he watched the white wake -foaming. The wind appeared confused: blowing from first -one direction and then shifting to another. There was snow -in the clouds overhead.</p> - -<p>The ship was tossed about like a stick in a river current. -But somehow they managed to keep on course. The Chief -tried not to think of this. He thought instead of a gauge<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span> -on the starboard engine, but even that was too close to the -storm. He turned and went back to the Chaplain and -Hodges. Religious talk was soothing if nothing else.</p> - -<p>He asked O’Mahoney about his monastery. O’Mahoney -was happy to talk of it.</p> - -<p>“A very simple place. There’s really not much to tell. -We all have our different jobs.”</p> - -<p>“What sort of work did you do?” asked Hodges.</p> - -<p>“Well, I was in charge of the novices. Those are the -beginners, the apprentices.”</p> - -<p>“Sounds like a First Sergeant’s job,” said Hodges.</p> - -<p>“Very much the same. I wish,” said the Chaplain wistfully, -“that I was back in Maryland now.”</p> - -<p>“So do I,” agreed Duval. “In New Orleans, I mean. I’m -tired of this place.”</p> - -<p>“We all are, but here we are. You have a wife, I suppose, -in New Orleans?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I got a wife and two kids. We lost a new one two -years ago. I guess she was too old to be having kids.”</p> - -<p>“Such a pity, your child dying.”</p> - -<p>“One of those things, they happen all the time. I saw the -kid only once so it wasn’t so bad.”</p> - -<p>The Chief sat down beside the Chaplain. Duval reached -in his pocket and took out a knife. Carefully he whittled -his fingernails. He concentrated on what he was doing. -He would think of nothing else for a while.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the ship lurched and Duval was thrown off -the bench. His knife clattered on the deck.</p> - -<p>He got to his feet quickly. The Chaplain was holding -onto the bench with both hands, his face very white. -Hodges was braced against a table. Duval looked down at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span> -his hand, conscious of a sharp pain: he had cut one of his -fingers and it was bleeding. He waved his hand in the air -to cool away the pain. Bright red blood in a thin stream -trickled down his hand. The waving did not help. He -stuck his finger in his mouth.</p> - -<p>“You’d better get a bandage on that,” said O’Mahoney -helpfully.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” agreed Hodges. “That’s dangerous, cutting yourself.”</p> - -<p>“I know, I’ll fix it. You people better hang around here -until Evans decides what to do. You might get the Major -up.” Holding his finger in the air, Duval went quickly -down the companionway and into his engine room.</p> - -<p>His two assistants were sitting beside the engines. They -wore dirty dungarees and thin shirts; it was hot in the engine -room. One of the oilers crouched in a corner. He had -come aboard only the week before. Fumes from the oil, as -well as the motion of the ship, had made him sick.</p> - -<p>The two assistants, however, had been in this engine -room in all sorts of weather for several years. They sat now -under the bright electric lights and read much-handled -magazines about Hollywood.</p> - -<p>The Chief went aft to his stateroom in the stern. Carefully -he wrapped a piece of gauze about his finger and -then he tied the ends of the gauze into a neat bow. When -he had finished he sat down on his bunk. He had always -hated the sight of blood. He closed his eyes and took a -deep and shaky breath. His heart was pounding furiously.</p> - -<p>The first assistant came into the cabin.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter, Chief?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span>“Not a thing.” Duval sat up straight and opened his -eyes. “Cut my finger, that’s all. How’s that starboard engine -sounding?”</p> - -<p>“She sounds O.K., she’s going to be O.K.” The man -leaned against the bulkhead. He was stout and red-headed -and a good mechanic. He came from Seattle.</p> - -<p>“Say, what’s this I hear that there’s going to be a big -wind soon? Is that right?”</p> - -<p>“I expect so. Evans don’t seem so bothered but the barometer’s -gone down low. Going to have a williwaw.”</p> - -<p>“It must be blowing hard outside. We been feeling it -rock pretty bad but that’s not new on this run. Maybe I -ought to go up and take a look.” The assistants seldom left -the engine room. Several times they had gone through bad -storms and had not known it until later. Even violent pitching -and tossing did not alarm them.</p> - -<p>“The wind ain’t too bad yet. Blowing maybe sixty, -maybe more. It’s not coming from anywhere certain yet. -The sea’s big, though.”</p> - -<p>“Think we’ll anchor somewhere?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know. That guy Evans never tells us anything -and I’m sure not going to ask him anything. Yes, I guess -we’ll anchor in Ilak.”</p> - -<p>“Well, it won’t be the first time we had to anchor in like -that.”</p> - -<p>“No, it won’t be the first time.”</p> - -<p>Duval fingered the blue and white bedspread his wife -had made for him and, fingering it, he thought of Olga. -He hoped they would spend more time in the Big Harbor -on the trip back.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span>“What did you do last night?” he asked.</p> - -<p>His first assistant shrugged. “I didn’t do so much. Got -tight, that’s all.”</p> - -<p>“Too bad. Did you see that squarehead Bervick last -night?”</p> - -<p>“I saw him for a little while. He was in the Anchorage -Inn. He was with old Angela. She’s sure a fat woman.”</p> - -<p>Duval chuckled. “Serves him right. He was trying to -sew up Olga. He wasn’t so smart about it. She’d come running -if he didn’t keep bothering her about the others she -sees. After all she’s got to make some money, like everybody -else.”</p> - -<p>“I heard that one before.” His assistant laughed. “She’s -a fair looking girl, Olga is.”</p> - -<p>“She certainly is.” Duval looked at his finger. He examined -the bandage closely to see if the blood was seeping -through. He was relieved to see it was not. “Let’s take a -look around,” he said.</p> - -<p>“O.K., Chief.”</p> - -<p>They went back to the engine room. The other assistant -was reading his magazine. He sat, teetering his chair with -each lunge of the ship. Duval walked between the engines, -checking the gauges and listening for trouble. Everything -appeared in order. He switched on the hold pumps. When -they were in a big sea the hold leaked badly; there was a -leak somewhere but no one had ever found it.</p> - -<p>Duval was pleased. If anything should happen to the -ship now it would be Evans’ fault. The Chief did not like -to take the blame for anything and in that he was quite -normal.</p> - -<p>He glanced at the oiler in the corner. For a moment he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span> -wondered if he should get him some ammonia or something -because he looked so ill. He decided not to; when -you were seasick you liked to be alone.</p> - -<p>“Everything looks fine,” he said to his assistants. Then -he went aft again to his stateroom, carefully examining -his bandage for signs of fresh blood.</p> - - -<h3>iii</h3> - -<p>The night was dark. Off the port side Martin could -barely make out the coastline of Ilak. Since seven-thirty -they had been searching for the place where Evans intended -to anchor.</p> - -<p>Martin stood close to the window. He could hear waves -crashing loudly on the near-by shore. The wind was increasing -and the sea was becoming larger. He held tightly -to the railing, his stomach fell dizzily as they sank into an -unusually deep trough.</p> - -<p>Evans had taken the wheel himself and the man on -watch stood beside him ready to help in case the wheel -should get out of control. Bervick stood by the chart table. -From time to time he would call out their position.</p> - -<p>The wheelhouse was dark except for dimmed lights in -the binnacle and over the chart table. Martin could hear -the wind howling around the corners of the wheelhouse. -It sounded seventy or eighty miles an hour, and this, according -to Evans, was just the start.</p> - -<p>Martin made a quick dash for the chart table.</p> - -<p>“When’ll we get there?” he asked.</p> - -<p>Bervick did not look up. “Ten minutes and we should -be abeam.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span>“What’s that?” Evans asked, his voice pitched high -above the wind.</p> - -<p>“We’re getting close, that’s all. That inlet you’re looking -for. Two miles away, as I figure.”</p> - -<p>“Good.” Evans motioned to the man on watch who -quickly took the wheel. Then Evans opened a window on -the port side. A tremendous roar of wind and breaking -water exploded into the wheelhouse. Spray splattered in -Evans’ face as he watched the coastline.</p> - -<p>Martin and Bervick went over and stood near him. Less -than a mile ahead Martin could see a long spit of high -rock pointing out into the sea. “That it?” he asked.</p> - -<p>Bervick nodded. “Just around the corner there. Nice -deep bay.”</p> - -<p>“All right,” said Evans, speaking to the man at the -wheel. “Bring her to port, five degrees. Ring Stand By, -Mate.”</p> - -<p>Martin skidded across the deck. He rang the engine -room several times on the telegraph. Then he set the markers -on Stand By.</p> - -<p>They waited for the Chief to answer. Two minutes -passed and then the Chief rang back. He was ready.</p> - -<p>“Half Speed Ahead,” said Evans.</p> - -<p>Martin set the markers on Half Speed. The ship’s vibration -changed. Waves which had once crashed against them -now lifted the ship easily onto their crests.</p> - -<p>Evans turned to Martin.</p> - -<p>“Go below and get some of the crew. Be ready to anchor -when I give the word. When we get out of the wind you -and your men go out on the forward deck and stand by.”</p> - -<p>“Right.” Martin went quickly below. The idea of going<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span> -out on deck in this weather did not appeal to him. Someone -had to do it, though.</p> - -<p>He gathered two deckhands in the galley. They cursed -loudly but he knew they were glad to be anchoring.</p> - -<p>Then, the ship having rounded the point, they went outside -on the forward deck. Martin was almost thrown off -his feet by a gust of wind. Though somewhat protected by -the hills, they were not yet completely out of the storm. -The wind was cold and penetrating. It chilled him, even -through his heavy parka. Water whipped their faces. The -deck was dangerously slick and the ship still pitched -badly. On hands and knees, their eyes barely open and -smarting from the salt, they wormed their way forward -to the bow and the anchor winches.</p> - -<p>They reached the bow. Martin got to his feet, holding -tightly onto the tarpaulin which covered the winch. The -other two did the same. Luckily they knew their job so -well that he would not have to make himself heard over -the sea-thunder.</p> - -<p>The deckhands swiftly slipped the tarpaulin off the -winch. Martin stood beside the lever which operated the -anchor. The other two stood ready to knock the brakes -from the chain.</p> - -<p>He watched as the ship skirted the teethlike rocks and -headed into a small bay. Dark mountains stood large -against the sky. The bay itself was less than a mile wide -and perhaps a little more than a mile deep. Mountains -rimmed it on three sides.</p> - -<p>Abruptly the ship stopped pitching. They were out of -the wind at last. Inside this bay there was neither wind -nor a large sea.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span>Evans leaned out of the wheelhouse window and waved.</p> - -<p>“Let her go,” said Martin.</p> - -<p>There was a loud clanging and then the metallic sound -of falling chain as the freed anchor dropped into the -water. The ship drifted slowly. Evans had stopped the -engines.</p> - -<p>Patiently Martin waited for the tug which would tell -them the anchor was secured in the sea-floor. The ship -glided ahead softly, cutting the small waves as it moved -shoreward: a slight jolt and the ship stopped; rocking -slightly, she began to circle about.</p> - -<p>“Anchor’s holding,” shouted Martin. Evans waved and -shut the wheelhouse window. Martin and the deckhands -went back to the galley.</p> - -<p>Martin stood before the galley range and tried to warm -himself. Water had seeped through his shirt to his skin -and he was completely wet. He could not remember when -he had been so cold. The two men who had been out on -deck with him were also shivering.</p> - -<p>He slipped off his parka and shirt and then he rubbed -himself in front of the stove. His teeth chattered as he -began to get warm again.</p> - -<p>“Going to be here long, Mate?” asked one of the men.</p> - -<p>“We’ll probably leave at dawn. Wind should let up -then.”</p> - -<p>“Getting better then?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Martin, knowing it was not getting better. -“Storm should be over by morning.”</p> - -<p>“That’s good.” The men talked a while longer. Then -they went to the focs’le. In his corner Smitty began to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span> -stir. Groaning, he got to his feet and walked over to the -range and poured himself some coffee.</p> - -<p>“You feel bad?” Martin asked.</p> - -<p>“You bet I feel bad.” Smitty walked unsteadily away.</p> - -<p>Martin sat down for a moment. He was tired, more tired -than usual. Lately it seemed that he was always tired. He -wondered if something was wrong with him. Perhaps he -should see a doctor and get sent back to the States.</p> - -<p>Everything was quiet, he noticed gratefully. It seemed -that there had been nothing but noise since they left the -Big Harbor that morning.</p> - -<p>“Say, Martin.” He turned around and saw Evans standing -in the door. “Come on out and help me nest the boom. -Somebody didn’t do a very good job when we left.” This -remark was meant for him and if he had not been so weary -he would have snapped back; the effort, however, was too -great.</p> - -<p>“Sure, sure,” Martin said.</p> - -<p>On the forward deck the wind was direct but not strong. -Small waves slapped the sides of the ship. The hills seemed -peaceful and only a faraway roar reminded them of the -storm.</p> - -<p>They stood beside the mast, Evans absently twisting -a wet rope. “I’ll go up top,” he said finally. “You let the -boom down.” He walked away. A few moments later -Evans appeared on top of the wheelhouse.</p> - -<p>“Let her down easy,” he shouted.</p> - -<p>Martin let the boom descend slowly into place. He had -to admire the quickness with which Evans lashed the mast -secure.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span>“O.K.,” said Evans and he disappeared.</p> - -<p>Bemused by the quiet, Martin walked back to the stern. -He stood a while watching the mountains. He noticed that -the side of one sharp peak seemed oddly blurred. It was -the snow being ripped off the mountains by the wind. In -the daylight it was a wonderful sight.</p> - -<p>He walked slowly into the salon. His watch started at -midnight. He would sleep on one of the salon benches -until then. He was tired.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>A few minutes after twelve Martin was awakened by -Evans.</p> - -<p>“Your watch,” said Evans. “I’m going to get some sleep. -If anything looks bad, get me up.”</p> - -<p>“Sea still high outside?”</p> - -<p>Evans nodded. His eyes looked sunken, Martin noticed, -and his lids were red.</p> - -<p>“We’ll leave around sunup if we do leave, that right?”</p> - -<p>“That’s right,” said Evans. “We’ll leave in the morning.”</p> - -<p>They went up to the wheelhouse. Evans went to his -cabin. Martin and the men on watch stood silently in the -pale light of the wheelhouse. They listened to the sea.</p> - -<p>“Think the radio will work, Mate?”</p> - -<p>“We can find out.” Martin turned the radio on. A blast -of static thundered out at them. “I guess not,” said Martin -and he turned it off.</p> - -<p>He noticed the barometer was still low. He recorded the -time and the barometer reading in the logbook.</p> - -<p>“I’m going below for a while,” he said.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span>Outside on deck there was little wind and the dark -night was serene. He glanced at the higher mountains; the -wind was still violent, for snow was blurring the peaks. -He went toward the bow and down into the focs’le.</p> - -<p>It was warm inside the focs’le and the lights were burning -brightly. Bunks in two tiers lined the bulkheads. Some -of the men were sleeping; others sat on their bunks and -talked. In the middle of the deck the ship’s dog was licking -a bone.</p> - -<p>The men who were awake looked up as Martin came -down the ladder.</p> - -<p>“How’s it going, Mate?”</p> - -<p>“Fine. The bulkheads sweating much?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll say they are.” The man who spoke brushed his hand -over the wood. “Look,” he said. Beads of water clung to -his fingers.</p> - -<p>“That’s pretty lousy,” said Martin. “At least it’s not cold -in here.”</p> - -<p>“Well, if it was we’d all be dead. This is the dampest -boat I was ever on.” The others agreed. Martin sat down -on an empty bunk and looked around. The focs’le was -even sloppier than normal. It was, of course, bad most of -the time and nothing could be done about it. Evans had -tried to do something with no success. He had only made -himself unpopular with the men.</p> - -<p>Clothes littered the deck and the bunks were unmade. -Old shoes and much-gnawed bones had been hidden in -the corners by the dog. Martin could see why Evans hated -dogs, especially on ships.</p> - -<p>None of these things were important now, though. -Nothing, except getting out of the storm, was important.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span>“I wonder how she’s blowing outside?” remarked a -deckhand.</p> - -<p>“Ought to be hitting a hundred about now,” answered -another. “What do you think, Mate?”</p> - -<p>“I hope it’s a hundred. If it is that means the storm’ll -be over by morning. They don’t last so long, these storms.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what I say.”</p> - -<p>The men spoke together in low voices. Martin examined -the pin-up pictures that plastered the bulkheads. Whenever -he thought of his army career he thought of these -pictures first. Somehow they almost never changed no -matter where he was. These pictures and the radio, those -were the two constant things. Occasionally there was no -radio but the pictures were always there: half-dressed -girls, in mysteriously lighted bedclothes, promising sex.</p> - -<p>He thought of the three years he had spent in the army, -and, of those years, only a few things stood out in his -memory: certain songs that were popular when he had -left for overseas, the waiting in line for almost everything.... -The rest of his army career came to him only as a -half-feeling of discomfort.</p> - -<p>The dog, he noticed, was chewing his shoe. He grabbed -the animal by the muzzle and pushed it away.</p> - -<p>He got up. “See you,” he remarked at large and he -began to climb the ladder that led to the forward deck.</p> - -<p>“See you, Mate.”</p> - -<p>Major Barkison sat at a table in the salon, a stack of -writing paper in front of him.</p> - -<p>“Good evening, sir,” said Martin.</p> - -<p>“Good evening. Things seem a bit quieter now.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, we’ll be able to get some sleep.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span>“I’m glad to hear that. I never thought the sea could get -so rough.” The Major contemplated the fountain pen in his -hand. “I was,” he confided, “quite sick.”</p> - -<p>“I’m sorry. You should have let us know, we’ve got some -stuff to take care of that.”</p> - -<p>“Have you really? I felt so terrible that I couldn’t get -out of my bunk. I’ve never seen such jumping around. -Does this sort of thing happen often?”</p> - -<p>“Not too often, thank God.”</p> - -<p>“It was quite enough.” The Major stroked his bald brow. -The veins stood out on his hand. Martin hoped the Major -had nothing seriously wrong with him. It was one of Martin’s -nightmares that someone should have appendicitis or -something like that aboard ship when they would be unable -to help. Such things had happened before on other -ships.</p> - -<p>“I’ve been doing a little letter writing,” the Major explained, -pointing to the papers. “I can really get caught -up on a trip like this.”</p> - -<p>“Would you like some coffee, Major?”</p> - -<p>“Why yes, very much.”</p> - -<p>Martin went into the galley and poured two cups from -the pot which always sat, warming, on the stove. He -brought the cups back into the salon and set them down -on the table.</p> - -<p>The Major grunted his thanks. They drank the dark and -bitter liquid. Martin warmed his hands on the coffee mug. -His hands were cold and stiff from climbing the focs’le -ladder without gloves.</p> - -<p>“Tell me, Mr Martin,” said the Major finally, “do you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span> -feel ... I know it’s a tactless question, in fact an unethical -question to ask ... but do you feel that Mr Evans is ... well, -quite capable of handling this situation?”</p> - -<p>Martin smiled to himself. “Yes, Major. I have a lot of -faith in Evans; when it comes to sailoring he’s one of the -best seamen up here.”</p> - -<p>“I’m very glad to hear you say that. I should never have -asked, of course. But the situation being as it is, well, I -thought it best to get your opinion.”</p> - -<p>“I quite understand.”</p> - -<p>“I hope you’ll regard my question as confidential, Mr -Martin.”</p> - -<p>“I certainly shall.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you.” The Major sighed and sketched cartoons -of sinking ships on a piece of paper.</p> - -<p>“The Chaplain gone to bed?” asked Martin.</p> - -<p>“I expect so. I haven’t seen him for several hours.”</p> - -<p>“It looks like the old jinx is at work again.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“Well, every time we carry a Chaplain we have a bad -storm.”</p> - -<p>“O’Mahoney must be a potential Bishop if one goes by -results,” commented the Major.</p> - -<p>Martin laughed. “He’s done pretty well so far.”</p> - -<p>The Major played with his pen a moment. “Where,” -asked Martin, “do you expect to be stationed after the -war, sir?”</p> - -<p>“Well, I should like Tacoma, naturally, but I think I’ll -be sent to Washington, D.C. A tour of duty there is worth -more than a lifetime of field work.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve always heard that.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span>“It is not,” said the Major wisely, “what you know, it is -who you know.”</p> - -<p>“You certainly are right.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, that’s the way it is.” They pondered this great -truth in silence. Martin finally got to his feet.</p> - -<p>“I hope you’ll feel better tomorrow, Major. We’ll leave -in the morning; it should be calm by then.”</p> - -<p>“I hope so, good night.”</p> - -<p>“Good night.” Martin walked slowly through the galley. -The lights were still on. He snapped them off. Then he -walked out on deck.</p> - -<p>A pleasant breeze cooled his face. Water lapped quietly -against the sides of the ship. The night sky was black. In -another forty-eight hours, if all went well, they would be -in Arunga.</p> - -<p>As he stood there many dramatic speeches came to -Martin. Plays he had read or had seen on the stage, came -to him. The rolling periods of the Elizabethans flowed -through him like water in a rock channel. He always enjoyed -these moments when he could think of words and -voices speaking words.</p> - -<p>He walked about on the deck. He stood by the railing -on the port side and breathed the clean air. In these -islands there was no odor of earth and vegetation in the -wind, only the scent of salt and stone. He raised his head -and looked at the mountains. The snow still whirled seaward.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>Chapter Five</i></h2> -</div> - - -<h3>i</h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">Morning.</span></p> - -<p>Evans walked into the wheelhouse. He had slept unusually -well. As a rule he stayed awake during bad weather, -but this time he had really slept and he was glad that he -had.</p> - -<p>Bervick, whose watch it was, stood looking at the barometer.</p> - -<p>“What do you think, Skipper?”</p> - -<p>Evans looked at the barometer: still low, there had been -almost no change overnight.</p> - -<p>“I think there must be something wrong with the thing. -You seen them act up before, haven’t you?”</p> - -<p>Bervick agreed. “They can be wrong. It looks fine outside.” -Evans went over to the window. There was little -light in the sky, but the pre-sunrise stillness was good. -Even in the mountains there was no wind.</p> - -<p>“What do you think, Skipper?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it. I don’t know.” -Evans felt suddenly inadequate. He wished that he did -not have to make this decision. He wondered for a moment -what would happen if he got into his bunk and -refused to get out. When he was very young he had often<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span> -had a feeling like that: to lie down somewhere and not -move and let unpleasant things take care of themselves.</p> - -<p>“I suppose,” he said finally, “seeing as how the wind has -died down, I suppose we should take a chance.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll make a dash for Kulak if anything goes wrong.”</p> - -<p>Evans went to the chart table. Mentally he computed -distances and positions. “We’ll take a chance,” he repeated. -“Get Martin up.”</p> - -<p>Bervick went into his cabin; he came out, a moment -later, with Martin.</p> - -<p>“Bervick,” said Evans, “you take some men out on -deck and get ready to weigh anchor. Martin, you go on -down and see how the passengers are doing. Talk to the -Chief and tell him we’re leaving right away. We want to -get to Arunga tomorrow night.”</p> - -<p>Martin and Bervick left together. Evans looked at the -compass; he looked at the barometer, and then he looked -at the chart. He walked out on deck and watched morning -move slowly into the east. The day looked peaceful; -there was no way, though, to tell what might happen. -There never was any way to tell.</p> - -<p>He watched Bervick and several deckhands as they -walked on the forward deck, testing the winches, preparing -to weigh anchor. Evans went to the telegraph and rang -the engine room. He set the markers on Stand By. Almost -immediately the Chief rang back.</p> - -<p>Evans took a deep breath. Then he opened the window -and yelled, “Pull her up!”</p> - -<p>Bervick pushed a lever. There was much clanging and -rattling. The anchor chain came up easily. Evans let the -ship drift slowly with the tide. At last, satisfied that the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span> -anchor was free, he gave the engine room Slow Speed -Astern.</p> - -<p>The ship, vibrating strongly, drew away from shore. -Evans twirled the electrical steering gear hard to starboard -and headed the ship for the opening and the sea beyond.</p> - -<p>At Slow Speed Ahead they moved through the channel, -neatly cutting the still water. The uneven rocks of the -point moved by them. A raven, the first he had seen since -they left Andrefski, flew warily among the rocks. A damp -breeze came to him through the window. Snow clouds -hung over the mountains.</p> - -<p>Bervick came back. “All squared away. We left the -tarpaulin off. Just in case we might need the anchor -again.”</p> - -<p>“Good.” Evans motioned to the man on watch who had -been standing by the door. “You take over.”</p> - -<p>Evans examined the blue-green paint of the wheelhouse. -It was too dark. He had thought so when they first used -it, but this dark color was the only paint he could get. -A lighter color would have been much better. He would -have everything repainted when they got back to Andrefski.</p> - -<p>Without warning the ship was lifted several feet in the -air by a long wave. They were out of the inlet. The rocks -of the point receded in the distance.</p> - -<p>“Bring her to port,” commanded Evans. The bow swung -parallel to shore. They were headed west again.</p> - -<p>“So far so good,” said Bervick.</p> - -<p>Evans agreed. There was quietness in the morning. -There would be snow flurries but the big wind seemed to -have gone. Evans was glad. He began to whistle.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span>Bervick looked at him. “We’re not in the clear yet,” he -said.</p> - -<p>Evans laughed, “I guess you’re right. I just feel good. I -wish I knew what was the matter with that damned -barometer, though.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe that little chain’s stuck, like I said.”</p> - -<p>“Might be.”</p> - -<p>Martin joined them. “The passengers look fine today,” -he said.</p> - -<p>“The Chief say everything’s working in his department?”</p> - -<p>“That’s what he said. Smitty’s got breakfast ready. -They’re eating now.”</p> - -<p>Evans remembered that he had had nothing to eat for -almost a day. “I think I’ll go below,” he said.</p> - -<p>“O.K., Skipper.” Bervick went over to the chart table -and Martin went into his cabin.</p> - -<p>The galley, Evans saw, was much more cheerful today. -Smitty had cleaned the deck and straightened the unbroken -china. Several deckhands sat at the galley table -talking loudly. You could tell, thought Evans, how long a -man had been up here by the way he talked. The longer -a man was in the islands the longer his stories were. Talking -was the only thing to do when there was no liquor.</p> - -<p>The passengers were eating heartily.</p> - -<p>“Good morning,” said Evans, entering the salon.</p> - -<p>“Good morning,” said the Chaplain, giving the phrase -its full meaning. “There is practically no rocking,” he observed -happily.</p> - -<p>“This may be a quiet trip yet,” said Evans. He sat down -and Smitty brought him breakfast. The Major was in a -good mood. He was not even pale today, Evans noticed.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span>“I hear we may be in Arunga tomorrow night,” said the -Major.</p> - -<p>“That’s what we hope,” said Evans. Breakfast tasted -better than it ever had before.</p> - -<p>“I shall really be glad when this trip is over,” said the -Chaplain. “Not of course that I haven’t every confidence.... -But, you know, I just wasn’t designed for ocean-going. -You don’t think it will rock much, do you?”</p> - -<p>Evans shook his head. “I don’t think so.”</p> - -<p>Duval and his assistants arrived and sat down at their -end of the table.</p> - -<p>“Didn’t blow up after all, did it, Skipper?” said Duval.</p> - -<p>“We’re not there yet,” Evans could not resist saying -this. Duval liked to be positive. Especially about things -which were none of his business.</p> - -<p>“Well, it looks to me like clear sailing.” Duval spoke -flatly. He stirred his coffee.</p> - -<p>“How fast are we going?” asked Hodges suddenly.</p> - -<p>“Nine, maybe ten knots,” Evans answered.</p> - -<p>“Nearer twelve, I’d say,” commented the Chief.</p> - -<p>“Engineers are all the same,” said Evans. The Chief -said nothing.</p> - -<p>“You people should be going home shortly,” Major -Barkison announced. Evans looked up and the others were -interested, too.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” the Major continued, “were going to close down -Andrefski, as you’ve probably gathered. That’s why I was -out there. When it closes down those of you who are due -for rotation will probably get it. We don’t need any more -sailors here.”</p> - -<p>“That’s good news,” said Evans thoughtfully. The Chief<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span> -and his assistants questioned the Major further and Evans -thought of Seattle. He would get married again. That -would be the first thing he would do. After that he would -get a second mate’s berth on some liner. He would come -back to these islands again. Someday, perhaps, he might -get a fishing boat and live in Seward. There were many -things that he would do.</p> - -<p>“If you’ll excuse me,” said the Major, rising, “I think I’ll -write some more letters.” The other passengers also left -the table.</p> - -<p>“Martin tells me,” said Duval, “that the barometer’s still -low. What do you think’s wrong?”</p> - -<p>Evans shrugged. “I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and -see what happens.”</p> - -<p>“We were going to do that anyway,” said the Chief -sourly and he left the table, his assistants close behind.</p> - -<p>Evans wondered why he had so much trouble getting -along with his crews. When he had been a second mate on -a cargo ship he had had no trouble, in fact he had even -been popular. Somehow things just didn’t work as easily -aboard this ship. He wondered if he might not be too -much of a perfectionist. People didn’t like to live with that -sort of thing. He spun his coffee mug between his hands. -Finally he stood up. “Smitty,” he said loudly. “You can -clear the table now.”</p> - -<p>Bervick had the case off the barometer, when Evans -returned to the wheelhouse. Bervick and Martin were examining -the mechanism.</p> - -<p>“Find anything wrong?” asked Evans.</p> - -<p>Bervick shook his head. “There’s nothing wrong with it. -The thing’s in good order.” Evans frowned. He did not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> -like to think of what would happen if this reading were -correct. He went to the chart table.</p> - -<p>They would be off Kulak around one o’clock in the -afternoon. Between his present position and Kulak there -was open sea and no protection. He felt suddenly sick. -Without a word to the others he walked out on deck.</p> - -<p>The air was cool and moist. There was no wind and no -sign of wind. Dark clouds hung motionless in the air. He -felt the vastness of this sea and the loneliness of one small -boat on the dividing line between gray sky and gray -water. They were quite alone out here and he was the -only one who realized it. This was very sad, and feeling -sad and lonely he went back into the wheelhouse.</p> - -<p>Martin and Bervick had gone below, he was told by the -man at the wheel.</p> - -<p>Evans stood by the window on the port side and -watched Ilak disappear. Snow, coming from the west, he -noticed, was bringing wind with it. He closed the windows.</p> - -<p>Martin returned silently. He looked at the snow clouds. -“We won’t be able to see so well,” he said.</p> - -<p>Evans nodded. “We got the times figured out pretty -well. I don’t like coming so near to Kulak, sailing blind.”</p> - -<p>They waited then for the snow to start.</p> - -<p>At a few minutes to nine whiteness flooded them. Snow -splattered softly on the window glass. Luckily there was -enough wind to keep it from collecting on the windows. -Below them Evans could see the deck being covered with -snow. The sea had increased in size but was not yet large.</p> - -<p>Bervick joined them.</p> - -<p>“Just a little snow,” said Evans.</p> - -<p>“That’s the way a lot of them start.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span>“A lot of what?”</p> - -<p>“Williwaws.”</p> - -<p>“Sometimes, maybe.” Evans thought of the low barometer.</p> - -<p>“Remember that one off Umnak?” asked Bervick.</p> - -<p>“Sure, I remember it.”</p> - -<p>“That one started this way.”</p> - -<p>“Not with snow. It started with a little wind.”</p> - -<p>“A little wind like this and a lot of snow. You remember -the snow, don’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I guess I forgot about it. That was a year ago.”</p> - -<p>“That was a lousy thing.”</p> - -<p>“We got out of it fine.” Evans’ hands were cold and his -stomach kept being flooded with something.</p> - -<p>“Sure, we got out of it. Our luck should hold.” Bervick -sounded cheerful.</p> - -<p>“It had better,” said Evans and he blew on his hands to -warm them.</p> - - -<h3>ii</h3> - -<p>“Not much change,” said Martin. Evans had been in the -engine room with Duval since lunch. It was two o’clock -now and snow still swept over the water.</p> - -<p>Evans looked gloomily at the whiteness. Martin watched -him closely to see what his reactions were. Evans only -frowned.</p> - -<p>To the south the snow flurries were thinning a little and -they could see the dark outline of Kulak. They had been -abeam the island for over an hour.</p> - -<p>“Kulak,” remarked Evans.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span>“We’ve been in sight of it since one.”</p> - -<p>“A lot of good harbors there,” said Evans.</p> - -<p>“Thinking of anchoring, maybe?”</p> - -<p>“I’m always thinking of anchoring.” Evans walked over -to the compass and watched it.</p> - -<p>Martin yawned. The monotony of waiting was beginning -to get on his nerves.</p> - -<p>Evans walked slowly about the wheelhouse. “That -wind’s a lot stronger outside,” he said suddenly.</p> - -<p>Martin was surprised. “I don’t think so. I think you’re -wrong.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t tell me I’m wrong,” Evans flared. Martin said -nothing; he had seen Evans upset before. Sometimes he -acted oddly. “Weather’s changing,” said Evans more -quietly. “I can feel it. Look,” he pointed to the island, -“the snow’s thinning. That means the wind’s picked up. -Besides, feel the sea.”</p> - -<p>Martin noticed for the first time that the ship was tossing -much more than it had an hour before. He had been -daydreaming and had not noticed the gradual change.</p> - -<p>Evans opened one of the windows and the familiar roar -of wind and water filled the wheelhouse. Snowflakes flew -in and melted quickly, leaving wet marks on the deck.</p> - -<p>The snow flurries were disappearing and every moment -the shores of the island became clearer. The sea was large -though not yet dangerous.</p> - -<p>“I don’t like it,” said Evans.</p> - -<p>“Barometer’s still low,” said Martin helpfully.</p> - -<p>“I know. Did we nest that boom, the one on the port -side?”</p> - -<p>“We did it last night, remember?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span>“That’s right. The hatches are pretty well battened -down....” Evans’ voice trailed into silence.</p> - -<p>A wave crashed over the bow and the whole ship shook. -Martin slipped on the linoleum-covered deck; he caught -himself before he fell. Evans was holding onto the wheel -and did not lose his balance. The man at the wheel swung -them back on course.</p> - -<p>Through the open window blasts of wind whistled into -the wheelhouse. Martin slammed the window shut. It was -almost quiet with the window shut.</p> - -<p>“You didn’t want that open, did you?”</p> - -<p>“No. Go write up our position and the barometer reading -in the logbook.”</p> - -<p>Martin obeyed. When he had finished he stood by the -telegraph.</p> - -<p>“What do you think’s happening?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know. I haven’t got any idea. Where’s Bervick?”</p> - -<p>“I think he went to the focs’le to get one of the men.”</p> - -<p>Evans swore loudly. “Why did you let him go up there? -He should have stayed here. Why didn’t he have sense to -stay here?”</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter with you?” Martin was irritated. -“What’s so bad about his going there? It’s none of my -business.”</p> - -<p>“How,” said Evans tightly, “do you think he’s going to -get back if the wind gets any worse? He’s going to be -stuck there and no damned use at all.”</p> - -<p>“That certainly’s too bad,” snarled Martin. “You want -me to send out a carrier pigeon?”</p> - -<p>Evans started to say something. He thought better of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> -it, though. He walked across the slanting deck without -speaking.</p> - -<p>Martin, still angry, looked at the sea. He was surprised -to see that the snow had almost stopped, and that black -clouds hung in the sky and a strong wind was lashing the -waves.</p> - -<p>He turned around to speak to Evans and at that moment -the williwaw hit the ship.</p> - -<p>Martin was thrown across the wheelhouse. There was a -thundering in his ears. He managed to grasp the railing -and, desperately, he clung to it.</p> - -<p>The wheelhouse hit the water with a creaking smack. -For a minute the deck of the wheelhouse was at a right -angle with the water. Then, slowly, the ship righted herself.</p> - -<p>Evans, he saw, lay flat on the steep deck. The man who -had been at the wheel was huddled near the companionway. -The wheel was spinning aimlessly.</p> - -<p>The ship shuddered as tremendous waves lifted her -high in the air. Martin, confused and helpless, shut his -eyes and wished that the huge sound of the wind would -go away.</p> - -<p>When he opened his eyes again he saw Evans crawling -on hands and knees across the deck. Martin watched him -move closer and closer to the wheel. A sudden lunge of -the ship and Evans was thrown against it. Quickly he -caught the wheel. Martin watched as Evans fought grimly -to keep on course.</p> - -<p>Through the windows, Martin could see what was happening. -They were being driven toward the island. Evans -was trying to hold them on any course away from shore.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span>Another jolt; a mountain of water swept over the wheelhouse. -Evans was thrown against the bulkhead on the -port side. Water streamed into the wheelhouse from new-made -cracks.</p> - -<p>Again the ship righted herself and again Evans started -his slow crawl over the deck, only now the deck was slick -with water. As the ship reached the crest of a wave Evans -got to his feet and made a dash for the wheel. But this -time he was flung against the door of the companionway. -The man who had been at the wheel lay beside him.</p> - -<p>Evans shouted something to Martin. The noise was too -much and his voice did not carry. Evans gestured furiously -with his hands. Martin understood him finally. Evans -wanted the engines stopped.</p> - -<p>Martin ran to the telegraph and, before a new wave -hit them, he rang the engine room. Even in that moment -he wondered what good it would do. He got back to his -railing.</p> - -<p>Luckily, Martin noticed, they were headed at an angle -for the shore. They would not hit for a little while. He -looked at Evans and saw that he was vomiting. He had -never seen Evans sick before.</p> - -<p>The wind, howling more loudly than ever, pushed them -almost sideways at the island. The ship’s side was held at -a forty-five-degree angle. Once again, as Martin watched, -Evans tried to get his hands on the wheel.</p> - -<p>He got safely across the deck. Distantly, as though he -were only an onlooker, Martin watched Evans struggle -with the whirling wheel. Then there was a crash that -shook the whole ship and Martin lost his grip on the -railing.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span>He felt surprised, and that was all, as he was flung -lightly to the other end of the wheelhouse. There was an -explosion in his head and the last thing he saw was the -dark blue-green of the bulkhead.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Duval was sitting in the salon. Major Barkison, the -Chaplain and Hodges were playing cards. Smitty was -clearing away the lunch.</p> - -<p>Duval was about to get up and go to his engine room -when the whole ship seemed to turn upside down. He was -pinned between the bench and the table.</p> - -<p>Across the salon he saw the deck of cards scatter into -the air. The Major, who had been sitting in a chair, was -thrown heavily on the deck.</p> - -<p>Hodges had fallen against one of the bulkheads. He was -trying to find something to hold onto.</p> - -<p>The Chaplain, like Duval, had been pinned between the -bench and the table. His eyes were closed and his face -very white. His lips were working quickly.</p> - -<p>Slowly the ship righted herself. Duval thought of his -engine room. He would have to get back to it. He started -to move from behind the table but another gust of wind -flattened the ship on the water. He relaxed and waited.</p> - -<p>He was surprised at the force of the wind. It must be -over a hundred ten miles an hour, he thought. He tried -to think calmly. They would, of course, ride it out and -then anchor somewhere.</p> - -<p>Major Barkison staggered to his table and grasped it -firmly. In the galley Duval could hear, even over the roar<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span> -of the wind, the sound of crashing china. He noticed -Smitty in the companionway, his feet braced against the -bulkhead.</p> - -<p>Hodges ran across the deck and sat down on the bench -behind the Chaplain’s table. The Chaplain’s eyes were -still closed, his face still pale.</p> - -<p>The ship creaked and groaned and shuddered as the -wind, almost capsizing her, pressed the port side to the -sea.</p> - -<p>Duval got to his feet. Holding the table tightly, he went -toward the companionway. Then, when he was as close as -he could get without letting go of the table, he jumped.</p> - -<p>For a second he wondered if he had broken anything. -He had tripped over Smitty and had fallen on the deck. -He flexed his arms and legs. Nothing seemed to be wrong. -Smitty, he could hear, was praying loudly.</p> - -<p>Carefully the Chief worked his way down the companionway -and into the engine room.</p> - -<p>Each assistant was holding onto one of the engines. -They were frightened. Duval pointed to the engines and -raised his eyebrows in question: were they all right? The -two men nodded.</p> - -<p>He worked his way, without falling, back to his cabin. -Everything that could have been broken was broken. -Clothes were scattered over the deck. He sat on his bunk.</p> - -<p>For the first time he noticed a pain in his knee. He felt -the kneecap. Waves of pain shook him. He wondered if -it was cracked and if so what he should do.</p> - -<p>A sudden lurch of the ship and he forgot about his knee. -He went back to the engine room. His assistants were still -standing by.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span>The oiler who had been sick lay quietly on the deck. He -had passed out.</p> - -<p>Duval stood close to his first assistant. “No ring yet?” -he yelled, pointing to the telegraph.</p> - -<p>The man shook his head.</p> - -<p>“Stop her O.K.?”</p> - -<p>The man nodded.</p> - -<p>There was a loud crash. Duval looked around and saw -water trickling down the companionway. A porthole must -have broken in the salon.</p> - -<p>The Chief waited for Evans to ring instructions; he -wondered if this was to be the way he would die. He had -thought about it often, dying up in the islands. Everyone -had thought about it. He had never thought, though, that -he would come this close. New Orleans was a much better -place to die.</p> - -<p>The loud ring of the telegraph startled him. He nodded -to his assistants. They spun the mechanism which stopped -the engines. This done, the real wait began.</p> - -<p>“Where we heading?” the man next to him shouted.</p> - -<p>Duval thought a moment. He had not noticed and he -did not know. He shook his head.</p> - -<p>The same question was in each of their minds: were -they heading for the island and the rocks? Those sharp -tall rocks, much pounded by the sea.</p> - -<p>He cursed himself for not having noticed. Just to know -where they were going, without being able to do anything -about it, was better than knowing nothing.</p> - -<p>From above there came a loud splintering and a crash. -He wondered what had happened. He wondered if he -should go up on deck, but his knee was bothering him. He -might not be able to get back.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span>The Chief held tightly to the engine as the ship rocked -in the wind. He and his assistants waited. That was all -they could do.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Bervick had gone into the focs’le to get the fat cook.</p> - -<p>Smitty had complained that he could not take care of -lunch alone with the ship pitching.</p> - -<p>Several men were in the focs’le. The fat cook was asleep -in his bunk. Bervick shook him. “Come on and get up. -You got to help out in the galley.”</p> - -<p>The fat cook yawned and swore. Slowly he hoisted himself -out of the bunk. Bervick played with the dog.</p> - -<p>“Hey, Bervick,” said one of the men, “anything new going -on? We’re jumping around quite a bit. I thought the -Skipper said there wasn’t going to be no more storm.”</p> - -<p>“Looks like he’s wrong. The sea’s a lot bigger.”</p> - -<p>“You’re telling me.”</p> - -<p>The fat cook was finally ready. They climbed the ladder -to the main deck. Bervick looked out the porthole. He -could not believe what he saw. A high hill of gray-black -water was sweeping down on them.</p> - -<p>“Get down,” he shouted to the cook who was below him -on the ladder. They were too late. Both were thrown back -into the focs’le.</p> - -<p>The lights went out and in the darkness there were -shouts from the surprised men. Bervick reached into his -pocket and lit a match. Mattresses and blankets had been -thrown against the port side. The men were clinging to -the bunks. The match went out.</p> - -<p>Guided by the pale gray light from the porthole above -the ladder, Bervick climbed up again and looked out at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span> -the deck. The wind had blown the rigging loose from the -mast and the ropes twisted in the air; many of them had -been blown out to sea.</p> - -<p>The ship was pressed close to the sea on the port side. -The wheelhouse slapped the water with each new gust of -wind. Waves, higher than he had ever seen before, swept -over the decks. Water streamed over him from cracks in -the deck.</p> - -<p>Then Bervick saw that they were being driven toward -the shore. The ship was out of control. No one could control -her now.</p> - -<p>Wind, almost visible in its strength, struck at the ship. -One of the booms became loose. Horrified, Bervick -watched it swing back and forth.</p> - -<p>Quite easily the boom knocked the signal light off the -top of the wheelhouse.</p> - -<p>For a moment Bervick considered what his chances -were of reaching the wheelhouse in this wind. He dismissed -the thought.</p> - -<p>There was nothing he could do. If they hit the rocks -there was little chance of any of them living. A person -might last five minutes in the cold water. But the wind -and waves would dash one to pieces faster than that.</p> - -<p>He wondered what Evans was doing: probably trying to -get control of the ship. When the wind was over a hundred -miles an hour there was not much anyone could do -but wait. That was what Evans would do. Stop the engines -and wait.</p> - -<p>The wind became more powerful every minute. The big -wind was at its height. Great streams of wind-driven water -battered the ship.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span>A large wave hit across their bow. Bervick stumbled -and fell off the ladder. He rolled helplessly in the dark. -There was a sudden snapping sound, louder than the -wind. Then there was a crash. Bervick knew what had -happened: the mast had been broken off. In the dark -focs’le the dog began to whine.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The mast was gone.</p> - -<p>Evans had seen it splinter as the wind-rushed waves -went over the ship.</p> - -<p>The man on watch crouched near the wheel. He was -trying to hold it, to stop it from spinning. Martin lay unconscious -on the deck. As the ship rolled, his limp body -skidded back and forth.</p> - -<p>Only eight minutes had passed since the williwaw -struck. To Evans it seemed as if the wind had been shouting -in his ears for hours.</p> - -<p>His mind was working quickly, though. He tried to -figure what would be the best way to go aground if he got -control of the ship. The best thing would be to hit at an -angle.</p> - -<p>He looked at the approaching shore. Ten minutes, perhaps -a little longer: that was all the time he had and the -wind was not stopping.</p> - -<p>On the rocks the giant waves swirled and tumbled. A -white mist rose from the shore, a mist of sea spray hiding -the mountains behind the rocks. His stomach fluttered -when he saw these rocks, black and sharp, formed in a -volcanic time.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span>He wished Bervick was with him. He even wished that -Martin was conscious. His mind raced to many things. -He thought of a number of things. They came to him in -quick succession, without reason.</p> - -<p>Evans wondered if the fire was out in the galley range. -If the electric generator was still working. What the ship’s -dog, whom he hated, was doing. Whether Duval still had -his bandage on his finger and if not what the possibilities -of blood poisoning were. He wondered what blood poisoning -was like. His mother had died in childbirth; he thought -of that.</p> - -<p>The deckhand caught at the wheel and held it a moment. -Then he had to let go. They could not even lash it -secure. The ropes would break.</p> - -<p>But the fact that the deckhand had managed to stop -the wheel, even for a moment, gave Evans some hope.</p> - -<p>Outside the sea was mountainous. Gray waves pushing -steeply skyward, made valleys so deep that he could not -see sky through the windows.</p> - -<p>Evans hopped across the deck and grabbed the wheel. -With all his strength he struggled to hold it still. The deckhand -helped him hold the wheel. With both of them -straining they managed to control the ship.</p> - -<p>Ahead of them the shore of Kulak came closer. A long -reef of rock curved out into the sea. Inside this curve the -sea was quieter. They were running toward the end of -the reef. They would strike it on their port bow.</p> - -<p>Evans decided quickly to get inside the reef. It was the -only thing to do.</p> - -<p>“Hard to port,” yelled Evans. The man helped push the -wheel inch by inch to the left. Evans slipped but did not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span> -fall as a wave struck them. The deck was wet from the -water which streamed in under the bulkheads.</p> - -<p>Bits of rigging from the now vanished booms clattered -on the wheelhouse windows. Luckily the windows had not -been broken.</p> - -<p>A gust of wind threw the ship into a wave. Both Evans -and the deckhand were torn loose from the wheel.</p> - -<p>Evans was thrown into the chart table. He gasped. He -could not breathe for several moments.</p> - -<p>When he had got his breath back, Evans went to the -window. Controlling the wheel was out of the question -now. But they were inside the reef and that was good.</p> - -<p>Evans held tightly to the railing. He watched the shore -as they approached it.</p> - -<p>Two tall rocks seemed to rush at him. Evans ducked -quickly below the windows. They crashed into the rocks.</p> - -<p>The noise was the worst thing. Breaking glass, as several -windows broke. The almost human groan of the ship -as the hull scraped on the rocks. The wind whistling into -the wheelhouse and the thundering of water on the shore.</p> - -<p>And then there was comparative quiet.</p> - -<p>The wind still whistled and the sea was loud but the -ship had stopped all motion.</p> - -<p>Evans walked across the angled deck, and he was surprised -at what he saw. The ship had been wedged between -two rocks on the reef. The starboard side was -somewhat lower than the port. The sea was deflected by -one of the rocks and waves no longer rolled over the deck.</p> - -<p>Martin, pale, his nose bleeding, walked unsteadily over -to where Evans stood.</p> - -<p>“We hit,” he said.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span>“We hit,” said Evans.</p> - -<p>“How long I been out?”</p> - -<p>“Maybe fifteen minutes.”</p> - -<p>“What’re you going to do?”</p> - -<p>“Wait till the storm stops.”</p> - -<p>Evans looked about him. The ship was securely wedged -between the rocks. There did not seem to be much chance -of being shaken loose. Evans shivered. He realized that -he was very cold and that the wind was blowing through -the two broken starboard windows.</p> - -<p>He went into his cabin and put on his parka. His cabin, -he noticed, was a tangled heap of clothes and papers and -furniture.</p> - -<p>He went back into the wheelhouse. “You stay here,” he -said to the deckhand. “Don’t do anything. I’ll be below for -a while.”</p> - -<p>The galley was much the way he had expected it to be. -Broken dishes on the deck and food and ashes littering -the table and benches. Smitty sat silently amid the wreckage. -He did not speak as Evans passed him.</p> - -<p>The salon was in better shape: there had been fewer -movable articles here. Still, chairs were scattered around -in unlikely places and books were heaped on the deck.</p> - -<p>Major Barkison sat limply on one of the benches. There -were blue bruises on his face. He was flexing his hand -carefully as though it hurt him.</p> - -<p>Chaplain O’Mahoney sat very stiffly behind the table. -His dark hair was in his eyes and sweat trickled down his -face. He managed to smile as Evans entered.</p> - -<p>Hodges, looking no worse for the storm, was peering out -one of the portholes.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span>“Everyone all right?” Evans asked.</p> - -<p>“I believe so,” said the Chaplain. “We three aren’t very -damaged.”</p> - -<p>“Is it going to sink?” asked the Major, looking up.</p> - -<p>“This ship? No, we’re not going to sink. Not today anyway.”</p> - -<p>“What happened?” asked Hodges. “What did we hit?”</p> - -<p>“We’re stuck between two rocks inside a reef. We’ve -been lucky.”</p> - -<p>“When are you going to get us out of here?” The Major -was frightened. They were all frightened but the Major -showed it more than the others.</p> - -<p>“Just as soon as the wind lets up.”</p> - -<p>“Is that long?” asked Hodges.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know. There’s a first aid kit in the galley locker.” -Evans went down the companionway and into the engine -room.</p> - -<p>Everything looked normal here. The two assistant engineers -were checking their numerous gauges and the -Chief was oiling a piece of machinery.</p> - -<p>“What the hell did you hit?” asked the Chief. He did -not seem bothered by what had happened and this annoyed -Evans.</p> - -<p>“We hit a rock, that’s what we hit. How are the engines?”</p> - -<p>“I think they’re all right. The propellers aren’t touching -bottom and you can thank God that they aren’t.”</p> - -<p>“Will she be able to go astern?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t see why not. Is that what were going to do?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“When do you want to push off?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span>“When the wind stops.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll have it ready.”</p> - -<p>Evans met Bervick in the salon. Bervick was wet from -his dash across the open deck.</p> - -<p>“What’s the focs’le doing?” asked Evans. “Leaking?”</p> - -<p>“No, we was lucky. We’re hung up just under the bow. -We’ve lost our guardrail and that’s about all.”</p> - -<p>“Good.” Evans looked through the after door. The sea -crashed all around them, the white sea spray formed a -cloud about them.</p> - -<p>“Should be over soon,” remarked Bervick. “I think it’ll -be over soon.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, it should be over,” said Evans and he turned and -walked back toward the wheelhouse.</p> - - -<h3>iii</h3> - -<p>Bervick walked on the forward deck.</p> - -<p>Since sundown the wind had almost died away. Water -rippled about them and the ship creaked as she moved -back and forth between the two rocks.</p> - -<p>There was only a sharp stump where the mast had been. -A few bits of rigging were scattered on the deck; for the -most part the deck was clean of all debris.</p> - -<p>One of the ventilators was gone and someone had covered -up the hole where it had been with a piece of canvas. -The other ventilator was slightly bent; otherwise, it was in -good shape.</p> - -<p>To his left rose the mountains of Kulak. They were like -all the other mountains in the islands. The closer one was -to them the more impressive they were.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span>He walked to the railing and leaned over and touched -the hard wet rock that shielded them from the last gusts -of the wind.</p> - -<p>Martin came slowly toward him. He walked unsurely. -The knocking he had taken had weakened him.</p> - -<p>“Here we are,” he said.</p> - -<p>Bervick nodded. “We got real messed up. It’s the drydock -for us if we get back.”</p> - -<p>“Hope we’re sent to Seward. I like Seward.”</p> - -<p>“Nice town for Alaska. Maybe we’ll get sent down to -Seattle.”</p> - -<p>“My luck’s not that good.” Martin leaned over the railing -and ran his hand over the shattered guardrail. “You -think we’ll get off these rocks all right?”</p> - -<p>“I think so. Maybe we knocked a hole in the bottom. If -that happened we got no chance.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe we didn’t get a hole.”</p> - -<p>“That’s the right idea.”</p> - -<p>They walked on the deck, looking for damage.</p> - -<p>The cover to the anchor winch had blown away; the -winch itself was not damaged.</p> - -<p>“Let’s go up top,” said Martin. “Evans wants us to check -the lifeboats.”</p> - -<p>The top of the wheelhouse was much battered. One of -the two lifeboats was splintered and useless. Martin -laughed.</p> - -<p>“Those things aren’t any use anyway, not up here they -aren’t.”</p> - -<p>“Sometimes you can get away.”</p> - -<p>“In a lifeboat like that?”</p> - -<p>“Sure, it’s been done.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span>“I wouldn’t like to do that.”</p> - -<p>“Neither would I,” Bervick tested the broken hull of the -lifeboat with his hand. The wood creaked under the pressure.</p> - -<p>“Let’s go below,” said Martin. “That’s no good any -more.”</p> - -<p>“I guess you’re right.”</p> - -<p>They crossed the bridge and went into the wheelhouse. -Evans was at the chart table. “What did you find?” he -asked.</p> - -<p>“One lifeboat knocked up and one ventilator on the forward -deck gone,” said Bervick.</p> - -<p>“I saw the ventilator go,” said Evans. “You say the lifeboat’s -out of commission?”</p> - -<p>“That’s right.”</p> - -<p>“Shipyard for us,” said Evans and that was all. He -turned back to his charts. Evans put on an act sometimes, -thought Bervick.</p> - -<p>“We’re going below, Skipper,” said Bervick and he and -Martin left the wheelhouse.</p> - -<p>Duval was in the salon. His coveralls were smeared with -grease and he looked gaunt. He was sitting at the table, -alone.</p> - -<p>“When’re we leaving this place?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Pretty soon,” answered Bervick. “How’re your engines?”</p> - -<p>“I guess they’ll be all right. You’ll find out soon enough.”</p> - -<p>Bervick looked at the Chief’s grease-stained coveralls. -“You have some trouble?”</p> - -<p>“One of the pumps stopped working. I think we got it -fixed. The boys are testing it now.”</p> - -<p>“You look beat,” commented Martin.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span>“You would be too. How did Evans manage to get us on -the rocks, I wonder?”</p> - -<p>“He didn’t,” said Bervick. “Just fool’s luck that we got -out of this thing this well.”</p> - -<p>“You mean so far,” said the Chief sourly.</p> - -<p>Bervick looked at him with dislike. Usually when they -were working together there was no enmity but now, even -on the rocks, he could not keep from disliking Duval.</p> - -<p>“What’s happened to the passengers?” asked Martin.</p> - -<p>“Damned if I know. They’ve probably gone out on deck -or hit their sacks. That Major certainly got excited.”</p> - -<p>“They all seemed excited,” remarked Bervick.</p> - -<p>“I suppose you weren’t.” The Chief stood up and sighed -deeply. “I think I’ll talk to Evans and see what’s going to -happen.” He had started to leave when Evans came into -the salon.</p> - -<p>“When we going?” asked the Chief.</p> - -<p>“Right away. Say, Martin, you take some men and go -on deck and stand by while we go astern.”</p> - -<p>Martin left the salon. “Are you going to be able to -handle the engines all right?” asked Evans, turning to the -Chief.</p> - -<p>“I think so. What’re you going to do, go half speed -astern?”</p> - -<p>“Full speed, I think. Depends how tight we are. Come -on, Bervick.”</p> - -<p>Someone had tacked pieces of canvas over the broken -windows in the wheelhouse. “Handle the telegraph for -me,” said Evans.</p> - -<p>“O.K.” Bervick looked out the window and saw Martin -with several deckhands. They were standing on the bow,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span> -waiting. Lieutenant Hodges was also on the forward deck.</p> - -<p>Evans maneuvered the wheel for several moments. -“Ring Stand By,” he said at last. Bervick set the markers -on Stand By. The Chief rang back quickly.</p> - -<p>“Slow Astern,” said Evans.</p> - -<p>Bervick rang the engine room again. The regular throbbing -of the engines began. The ship creaked and shifted -slightly.</p> - -<p>“Half Speed Astern,” said Evans, his hands clutching -the wheel tightly.</p> - -<p>Bervick rang for Half Speed. The ship trembled. There -was a ripping sound as they began to move from between -the rocks. “There goes the guardrail,” said Bervick.</p> - -<p>“Full Speed Astern,” said Evans.</p> - -<p>Bervick set the markers on Full Speed. “Here we go,” -he said.</p> - -<p>The ship, with much groaning as pieces of wood were -torn from the bow, moved away from the rocks.</p> - -<p>Evans swung the wheel hard to port. There was a -suspended instant and then the bow splashed off the rocks. -The ship rolled uncertainly for a moment. Then they were -free.</p> - -<p>“Cut the engines,” said Evans.</p> - -<p>The ship drifted away from shore.</p> - -<p>“So far so good,” said Evans. “Give her Slow Ahead.” -As the ship moved ahead Evans swung the bow out to sea.</p> - -<p>“Now we can wait,” he said.</p> - -<p>“For the leaks to start?”</p> - -<p>“For the leaks.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe I ought to go see the Chief, see how the pumps -are working,” suggested Bervick.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span>“Sure, go below.”</p> - -<p>The engine room was hot. Fumes from the engines -made the air almost unbreathable. Duval was watching -the gauges. His assistants stood beside the engines.</p> - -<p>“Evans wants to know if the pumps are working.”</p> - -<p>“Tell him I think so. Got good pressure.”</p> - -<p>“I guess the engines weren’t bothered at all.”</p> - -<p>“You can be glad of that.”</p> - -<p>Bervick went up to the salon. Martin was looking out -the porthole at the island shore.</p> - -<p>“We made it,” said Bervick.</p> - -<p>“Yes, we got off the rocks. I was afraid for a while we -weren’t going to be able to. We were really jammed in -there. Took the whole guardrail off.”</p> - -<p>“Did you look in the focs’le to see if there were any -leaks?”</p> - -<p>“No. You think we should?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. You take the focs’le and I’ll go down in the hold.”</p> - -<p>On deck the wind was brisk but not strong. The air was -clearer but the sky was still overcast. With night coming -the weather might yet be good.</p> - -<p>Bervick slipped the covering off one end of the hatch. -Carefully he went down the narrow ladder. The hold was -dark and damp and smelled of salt and wood. When he -got to the bottom he turned on a light.</p> - -<p>There were several crates of machinery on the deck of -the hold. They had not been given much cargo to carry on -this trip. Pieces of tarpaulin and lengths of line were -strewn over the deck. Ammunition for the ship’s gun -rolled about the hold. They had dismantled most of their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span> -gun and had stored the pieces. No one ever saw the Japanese -in these waters.</p> - -<p>Bervick examined the damp bulkheads carefully. They -seemed to be sound. He walked over the deck and could -not find any sign of a leak.</p> - -<p>He turned off the light and climbed out of the hold. -Martin was standing by the railing.</p> - -<p>“Find anything?” Bervick asked.</p> - -<p>Martin shook his head. “Everything fine. You find anything?”</p> - -<p>“No.” They went aft to the salon. Martin went above to -tell Evans about their inspection.</p> - -<p>Major Barkison was in the salon when Bervick entered. -He was nervous; his fingers played constantly with his belt -buckle.</p> - -<p>“Do you think it’s over for good?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“I expect so. The heart of the storm’s gone by us.”</p> - -<p>“I hope so. That was really dreadful, the rocks and all -that wind. Does this happen often?”</p> - -<p>“Occasionally it happens.”</p> - -<p>“It was awful. We’ll get back all right now, though. -Won’t we?”</p> - -<p>“I hope so. Evans is good, he knows his business. I -wouldn’t be too worried.”</p> - -<p>“No, I suppose it’s all over.” The Major shuddered. -“That wind, I’ve never seen anything like it. It was terrible, -all that wind.” The Major sat down heavily.</p> - -<p>Evans came into the salon. He seemed cheerful. He was -smiling.</p> - -<p>“Martin tells me there aren’t any leaks.”</p> - -<p>Bervick nodded, “That’s right.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span>“We’ll get there then. I’m hungry. Is Smitty around?”</p> - -<p>“I think he’s below. I’ll get him.”</p> - -<p>“Fine.”</p> - -<p>“I gather,” said the Major slowly, “that the storm is -over.”</p> - -<p>“Well, it looks like it. Never can tell, of course. We may -have some more but the worst is over.”</p> - -<p>Major Barkison was relieved. “You know,” he said, “I -must admire the way you’ve handled this. I’m going to -recommend you for a citation.”</p> - -<p>Evans laughed, “Send me back to the States, that’s what -I want.”</p> - -<p>“I’m serious,” said the Major. “You’ve done a remarkable -job and we are all, naturally, most grateful.”</p> - -<p>There was an embarrassed silence. Bervick looked at -Evans and saw that Evans was at a loss to say anything. -Evans did not know how to say the right things.</p> - -<p>“I’ll get Smitty up,” said Bervick.</p> - -<p>“Fine,” said Evans. “Go get him up. I’m hungry.”</p> - -<p>Bervick found Smitty in his bunk. “Come on and get -up,” he said. “We want some chow.”</p> - -<p>Smitty swore loudly, “I seen everything now,” he said -and he got out of his bunk.</p> - -<p>Bervick went back to the salon.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>Chapter Six</i></h2> -</div> - - -<h3>i</h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">They</span> had steak for supper. Smitty, in a mood of thanksgiving, -had cooked an unusually good meal. He served it -himself, almost cheerfully.</p> - -<p>“Such a nice quiet evening,” exclaimed the Chaplain.</p> - -<p>“It’s a real relief,” said the Major. “A real relief. I -thought for a while that ... well, that that was it, if you -know what I mean.”</p> - -<p>“It was pretty close,” said Evans, smiling. His passengers -looked much better. The Chaplain especially seemed -happy.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said the Major, “I think we’ve been lucky. Of -course, we have Mr Evans here to thank. If it hadn’t been -for his ... his efforts, I suppose, we’d be dead now.”</p> - -<p>“That’s right,” said the Chaplain, looking fondly at -Evans. “You really did a remarkable job.”</p> - -<p>“Pass the sugar,” said Duval and he took the sugar when -it was passed to him and put several spoonsful of it in his -coffee. Evans could see that he did not like to hear his -Skipper praised.</p> - -<p>“By the way,” said Evans, “I think we should really -compliment the Chief. He sure did a good job. If his engine -room hadn’t been operating I don’t know where we’d -be.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span>“That’s right,” said the Major, “we mustn’t forget Mr -Duval.”</p> - -<p>“We’ve been extremely fortunate,” said the Chaplain. -“Not of course that we all weren’t quite ready to ... to -meet our Maker, as it were.”</p> - -<p>“I wasn’t,” said Hodges abruptly. The others laughed.</p> - -<p>“Tell me, Mr Evans,” said the Major, “when do you -expect to get to Arunga?”</p> - -<p>“Tomorrow sometime, afternoon, I guess. Depends on -what kind of time we make.”</p> - -<p>“Excellent.”</p> - -<p>“By the way,” said the Chief, “that ventilator, the one -over the starboard engine; water and everything else’s -been coming down it. You get someone to fix it?”</p> - -<p>Evans nodded; he looked at Bervick, “You want to take -care of that?”</p> - -<p>“Sure.”</p> - -<p>Evans sat down on one of the long benches that lined -the bulkheads. Martin was in the wheelhouse. They were -on course and the barometer was rising.</p> - -<p>He shut his eyes and relaxed. The rocking of the ship -was gentle and persistent. He had had an operation once -and he had been given ether. There were terrible dreams.... -All through the dreams there had been a ticking, a -heartbeat rhythm, and a floating sensation much like the -sea. He began to recall the dream. He was happy, and -when he was happy he enjoyed torturing himself in a -subtle fashion. He pretended that he was under the ether -again, that the rocking of the ship was the dream. He recalled -objects that looked like straws set in a dark green -background. Lights shone from the tops of the straws and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span> -deep deep voices speaking in a negro manner came out -of the tips of the straws. He began to sink into the vastness -of the ether dream. There was a struggle and then -a sense of being alone, of being overcome. The deep voices -kept throbbing in his ears. Then there was quiet.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>“Did you have a nice nap?” asked the Chaplain.</p> - -<p>Evans opened his eyes and tried to look alert. “Just -dozing.” He sat up. The Chaplain and he were the only -ones in the salon. He looked at his watch: it was after ten.</p> - -<p>“I cannot,” said the Chaplain, “get over the great change -in the weather.”</p> - -<p>“In the williwaw season weather does funny things.”</p> - -<p>“I had what you might call a revelation of sorts, if you -know what I mean, during the storm.”</p> - -<p>“Is that right?” Evans wondered who was on watch. It -was supposed to be his watch until midnight. Bervick had -probably taken over while he slept.</p> - -<p>“I had a sort of vision, well not quite a vision, no, not -a vision, a presentiment, yes, that’s what I had, a presentiment -of something.”</p> - -<p>“Did you?” Evans was not sure that he knew what a -presentiment was.</p> - -<p>“This vision, presentiment I should say, was about the -ship.”</p> - -<p>“Well, what was it?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing much at all. It’s really quite vague to me -now. It was only that we’d all get out of this, that no one -would be hurt on the trip, that’s all. That’s why I suppose<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span> -one would call it a presentiment. It was just a feeling of -course. A kind of instinct.”</p> - -<p>“Is that right? I’ve had them too.” Evans wondered if -the ventilator was still leaking.</p> - -<p>“Have you really? I know there’s a sort of intuition, a -sort of sixth sense I would suppose you’d call it.”</p> - -<p>“Sure, that’s what I’d call it.” Evans wondered if there -was anything to religion. Probably not, at least he himself -had gotten along without it. He tried to recall if he’d -ever been inside a church. He could not remember. In the -back of his mind there was a feeling of great space and -peacefulness which might have been the memory of a -childhood visit to a church. He had seen some movies, -though, that had church interiors in them. Churches -where gray-haired men in long black robes stood in what -appeared to be upright coffins and talked interminably -about large resonant things. He had learned about religion -from the movies and from the Chaplains he had met.</p> - -<p>The Chaplain, his sixth sense at work, guessed what -he was thinking. “You are not particularly, ah, religious, -are you, Mr Evans.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I wouldn’t say that,” said Evans, who would have -said just that if he had not disliked being thought different -from other people.</p> - -<p>“Oh no, I can tell that you’re a ... a pagan.” The -Chaplain chuckled to show that this epithet was not serious.</p> - -<p>“I hope not.” Evans was not too sure what “pagan” -meant either. He wished that people would use simple -familiar words. That was the main thing he disliked in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span> -Martin: the long words that sounded as if they meant -something very important.</p> - -<p>“Well, there are many, many people like you in the -world,” said Chaplain O’Mahoney sadly, aware suddenly -of the immensity of sin, the smallness of virtue.</p> - -<p>“I guess there are.” Evans wondered if Martin had recorded -the rising barometer readings regularly.</p> - -<p>“Did you ever feel lost?” asked the Chaplain in an almost -conspiratorial tone.</p> - -<p>“What? Well, I don’t know.”</p> - -<p>“I mean did you ever feel lonely?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly, haven’t you?”</p> - -<p>The Chaplain was a little startled; then he answered -quickly, “No, never. You see I have something to fall -back on.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose you do,” said Evans and he tried to sound -thoughtful and sincere but he managed only to sound -bored.</p> - -<p>The Chaplain laughed. “I’m being unfair, talking to you -like this when your mind’s on the ship and ... and things.”</p> - -<p>“No, no, that’s all right. I’m very interested. I once -wanted to be a preacher.” Evans added this for the sake -of conversation.</p> - -<p>“Indeed, and why didn’t you become one?”</p> - -<p>Evans thought a moment. Pictures of gray-haired men -in black robes and gray-haired men advertising whiskey in -the magazines were jumbled together in his inner eye. -He had never become a minister for the simple reason -that he had never been interested. But the thought that -was suddenly the most shocking to him was that he -had never wanted to <i>become</i> anything at all. He had just<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span> -wanted to do what he liked. This was a revelation to him. -He had thought about himself all his life but he had never -been aware that he was different from most people. He -just wanted to sail because he liked to sail and he wanted -to get married again because it seemed like a comfortable -way to live. Chaplains and Majors wanted to become -Saints and Generals respectively.</p> - -<p>“I guess I never really wanted to be a minister very -much.” Evans ran his hand through his hair. He noticed -it was getting long. He would have a haircut when they -got to Arunga.</p> - -<p>“Some, I suppose,” said the Chaplain philosophically, -“are chosen, while others are not.”</p> - -<p>“Isn’t that the truth?” said Evans with more emphasis -than was necessary.</p> - -<p>The Chaplain squinted his eyes and took a deep breath -and Evans could see that he was going to be lectured. He -stood up and the Chaplain, looking surprised, opened his -eyes again and exhaled, a slight look of disappointment on -his face.</p> - -<p>“If you’ll excuse me I’m going up top. My watch’s -now.”</p> - -<p>“Of course, certainly.”</p> - -<p>Bervick was standing by the windows, looking out. -Evans stood beside him and they watched the sea together. -The dark water shifted lazily now, gusts of wind -occasionally ruffling the surface of the water. The night -sky was black.</p> - -<p>“You been asleep?”</p> - -<p>Evans nodded.</p> - -<p>“That’s what I thought. Martin hit the sack.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span>“Barometer’s up.”</p> - -<p>“That’s nice. I don’t like low barometers.”</p> - -<p>“Nobody likes them.”</p> - -<p>Evans looked at the stump where the mast had been. -“She really tore off hard, didn’t she?”</p> - -<p>“Glad I wasn’t under it.”</p> - -<p>“I guess the boys’ll really talk about us now, the guys -on the other boats.”</p> - -<p>“Sure, they’re just like women. Talk, talk, that’s about -all they do.”</p> - -<p>“I guess they’ll say it was my fault. Harms would say -that. He’d want to cover his own hide for sending us out.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you didn’t have to go if you didn’t want to. That’s -sea law.”</p> - -<p>“That’s true.”</p> - -<p>“But I don’t think they’re going to say it was your fault. -Worse things’ve happened to a lot of other guys.”</p> - -<p>“It wasn’t my fault, this thing, was it?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think so. You ain’t no weather prophet.”</p> - -<p>“There wasn’t any way for me to tell that there’d be a -williwaw.”</p> - -<p>“Well, this is the season for them.”</p> - -<p>“But how could I know that it was going to happen? We -were cleared at the Big Harbor.”</p> - -<p>“It’s on their neck then.”</p> - -<p>“I hope so, it’d better be. I couldn’t help it if we got -caught like that, got caught in a williwaw.”</p> - -<p>“Sure, sure, it was no fault of yours.”</p> - -<p>Evans looked out of the window. He was getting a little -worried. The thought that he might be held responsible -for taking a boat out and getting it wrecked in williwaw<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> -weather was beginning to bother him. Bervick was soothing, -though.</p> - -<p>“You taking over now?” he said.</p> - -<p>Evans nodded, “Yes, I’ll take over. You got a couple of -hours, why don’t you get some sleep?”</p> - -<p>“I think I’ll go below and mess around. I’m not so -sleepy.”</p> - -<p>“By the way, did you fix that ventilator, the one over -the Chiefs engine room?”</p> - -<p>Bervick frowned, “No, I forgot all about it. I’ll go now.” -Bervick left the wheelhouse. Evans checked the compass -with the course. Then he opened one of the windows and -let the cool air into the wheelhouse. In a few minutes he -would go to his cabin and take a swallow of bourbon; then -he would come back and feel much happier as he stood his -watch and thought.</p> - - -<h3>ii</h3> - -<p>Major Barkison and the Chaplain were in the salon -when Bervick entered. The Chaplain was putting on his -parka.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Sergeant,” said the Major. “We thought we -might take a stroll on deck before turning in.”</p> - -<p>“It’s pretty windy still.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” said the Chaplain, “I wouldn’t want to get a -chill on top of all this excitement.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” said the Major, “maybe we’d better just go to our -cabins.” The Chaplain thought that was a good idea and -Bervick was glad to see them go.</p> - -<p>He walked around the salon, straightening chairs and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span> -arranging the books which were still scattered about. The -salon was quiet, now that the big wind had stopped. Even -the bare electric lights seemed more friendly than usual.</p> - -<p>The after door opened and Hodges came into the salon. -He slammed the door and stood shivering as the heat of -the salon warmed him.</p> - -<p>“What were you doing out?” asked Bervick.</p> - -<p>“Walking around. I think we’ll be able to see stars soon. -Looks like it’s clearing up.”</p> - -<p>“Going to be quite a while before she clears that much.”</p> - -<p>“Well, it looked pretty clear to me.”</p> - -<p>“Clouds thinning maybe. I’ll be on deck myself soon.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll see nice weather, at least that’s what I saw.” -Hodges sat on the bench and scratched his leg thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>“Hope so.” Bervick tried to think why he had come below. -He looked up and saw that Duval was standing near -him; he remembered.</p> - -<p>The Chief was angry, “Say, Bervick, I thought you was -going to fix that ventilator.”</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter with it now, we ain’t rocking much.”</p> - -<p>“Well, it’s leaking all over my engine, that’s what’s the -matter. I thought Evans told you to get that fixed long -time ago?”</p> - -<p>“He certainly did. You heard him, too, I guess,” Bervick -tried to irritate Duval.</p> - -<p>“Damn it then, what’re you going to do, just stand there -like a stupid bastard?”</p> - -<p>Bervick frowned. “You watch what you say, Chief.”</p> - -<p>“Who do you think you are telling me what I should -say, anyhow?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span>“Let’s take it easy,” said Hodges, remembering his superior -rank and deciding that things were getting out of -hand.</p> - -<p>Bervick and the Chief ignored him. “I don’t want you -calling me a bastard,” said Bervick. He enjoyed himself, -fighting with Duval like this. Somehow Duval had begun -to represent everything that he hated.</p> - -<p>“I’ll call you anything I like when you sound off like -that. You think you’re pretty smart, don’t you? Hanging -around Evans all the time. You and he think you’re mighty -superior to everybody else.”</p> - -<p>“We sure in hell are to you.”</p> - -<p>Duval flushed a dirty red. “Shut up, you thick squarehead.”</p> - -<p>“<i>Cajun!</i>” Bervick snarled the word, made an oath of it.</p> - -<p>Duval started toward him. Hodges stood up. “By the -way,” said Hodges quickly, “where are the Major and the -Chaplain?”</p> - -<p>“What?” Duval stopped uncertainly; then he remembered -himself. “I don’t know.”</p> - -<p>“They’ve gone to bed,” said Bervick. He was sorry that -the Chief had not tried to fight with him.</p> - -<p>Hodges, pleased that he had stopped what could have -been serious trouble, tried to think of something else to -say. He asked, “Do you get into the Big Harbor often, Mr -Duval?” This was the first thing that came into his head -and it was the wrong thing to say.</p> - -<p>“Yeah, we go there once, twice a week,” said Duval.</p> - -<p>“A lot of nice people there,” said Bervick, looking at -Duval.</p> - -<p>“All you got to have is money,” said the Chief softly,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span> -“money and technique, that’s all you’ve got to have. Some -people ain’t got either.”</p> - -<p>“You’re right there,” said Bervick. “Some people got -just one and not the other. Some people that I could name -are just like that.”</p> - -<p>“Some people,” said Duval, beginning to enjoy himself, -“haven’t got nothing to offer. I pity those people, don’t -you, Lieutenant?”</p> - -<p>Hodges, somewhat puzzled, agreed that he pitied those -people.</p> - -<p>“Of course,” said Bervick, “there are some guys who -sneak around and get other people’s girls and give them a -lot of money when they get too old to give anything else.”</p> - -<p>This stung Duval but he did not show it. “Sure, sure, -then there’re the big snow artists. They talk all the time, -that’s all they do is talk. That’s what Olga said someone -we know used to do all the time, talk.”</p> - -<p>“You must’ve made that up. Maybe she meant you. Yes, -that’s who she meant, she meant you.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think so. She knows better. This guy was a -squarehead, the guy she was talking about.”</p> - -<p>“I think,” said Hodges, worried by the familiar pattern -of the argument, “I think maybe you better take care of -that ventilator, like you said.”</p> - -<p>“That’s right,” said Bervick, “we can’t let the spray get -on the Chief Engineer. That’s getting him too near the -water.”</p> - -<p>“I been on boats before you was born.”</p> - -<p>“Sure, they have ferries where I come from, too.”</p> - -<p>There was silence. Bervick felt keen and alive and -strangely excited, as though something important was going<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span> -to happen to him. He looked at the Chief in an almost -detached manner. Hodges was frowning, he noticed. -Hodges was very young and not yet able to grasp the -problems of loneliness and rivalry.</p> - -<p>“Someday,” said the Chief at last, “somebody’s going -to teach you a lesson.”</p> - -<p>“I can wait.”</p> - -<p>“I think it would be a good idea,” said Hodges, “if you -went and fixed whatever you have to fix. You’re not getting -anywhere now.”</p> - -<p>“O.K.,” said Bervick, “I’ll fix it.”</p> - -<p>“You going to do it alone?” asked Hodges.</p> - -<p>“Sure, it’s too late to get anybody else to help. I couldn’t -ask the Chief because he’s too high-ranking to do any -work.”</p> - -<p>“Shut up,” said the Chief. “I could do it alone if I wanted -to.”</p> - -<p>“Then why don’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Why,” said Hodges, “don’t you do it together?” At -Officers’ School they had taught him that nothing brought -men closer together than the same work.</p> - -<p>“That’s a fine idea,” said Bervick, knowing that Duval -would not like it.</p> - -<p>“Sure,” said the Chief, “sure.”</p> - -<p>They walked out on deck. Hodges stayed in the salon, -playing solitaire.</p> - -<p>There was a cold wind blowing and the ship was pitching -on the short small waves. Spray splattered the decks -from time to time. The sky was beginning to clear a little. -Hodges had been right about the weather.</p> - -<p>The ventilator was dented and slightly out of position.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span> -When spray came over the side of the ship it eddied -around the base of the ventilator and water trickled -through to the engine room.</p> - -<p>Duval and Bervick looked at the ventilator and did not -speak. Bervick pushed it and felt it give slightly. Duval -sat on the railing of the ship, opposite the ventilator.</p> - -<p>“I suppose,” said Bervick, “we should hammer the thing -in place.”</p> - -<p>“You go get the hammer then.”</p> - -<p>Bervick walked to the afterdeck. He leaned down and -raised the lid of the lazaret. A smell of tar and rope came -to him from the dark hole. He climbed down inside the -lazaret and fumbled around a moment in the dark. Then -he found a hammer and some nails.</p> - -<p>“What took you so long?” asked the Chief. He was -standing by the ventilator, smoking.</p> - -<p>“You forgot about blackout rules, huh? You making -your own smoking rules now?”</p> - -<p>“You just mind your business.” Duval went on smoking -calmly.</p> - -<p>“I’m going to tell Evans,” said Bervick.</p> - -<p>“You do just what you please. Now let’s fix that ventilator -and stop talking.”</p> - -<p>Bervick got down on his knees and tried to wiggle the -ventilator in place. It was too heavy. He stood up again.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter? Can’t you get it in place?”</p> - -<p>“No, I’d like to see you try.”</p> - -<p>The Chief got down on his knees and pushed at the -ventilator. Nothing happened. In the darkness Bervick -could see the lighted tip of the Chief’s cigarette blinking -quickly as he puffed. Duval stood up.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span>“You have to move these things from the top, that’s -what you have to do.”</p> - -<p>“Well, why don’t you?”</p> - -<p>“That’s what you’re on this boat for, to take care of -them things like that. You’re a deckhand and this is deck -work. This isn’t my job.”</p> - -<p>“You’re the one that’s complaining. It don’t make no -difference to me if your engine gets wet.”</p> - -<p>Duval tossed his cigarette overboard. “Take care of -that.” He pointed to the ventilator.</p> - -<p>Bervick slowly pushed the ventilator over the opening -it was to cover. Then he picked up the hammer and started -to nail the base of the ventilator into the deck.</p> - -<p>“How’s it coming?” asked a voice. Bervick looked up -and recognized Hodges. He was standing beside the Chief.</p> - -<p>“Don’t know yet. Trying to nail this thing down.” He -was conscious that his knees were aching from the cold -damp deck. He stood up.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter now?” asked Duval.</p> - -<p>“Knees ache.”</p> - -<p>“You got rheumatism, maybe?” asked Hodges with interest.</p> - -<p>“Everybody has a little bit of it up here,” said Bervick -and he rubbed his knees and wished the pain would go -away.</p> - -<p>“I never had it,” said the Chief as though it were something -to be proud of.</p> - -<p>“Why, I thought I saw you limping around today,” -said Hodges.</p> - -<p>“That was a bang I got in the williwaw. Just bruised my -knee.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span>“Well, I’ll see you all later.” Hodges walked toward the -forward deck. The ship was pitching more than usual. The -waves were becoming larger but overhead the sky was -clearing and there was no storm in sight.</p> - -<p>“Let’s get this done,” said Duval, “I’m getting cold.”</p> - -<p>“That’s too bad. Maybe if you did some work you’d -warm up.”</p> - -<p>“Come on,” said Duval and he began to wrestle with -the ventilator. It was six feet tall, as tall as Duval.</p> - -<p>“That’s no way to move it,” said Bervick. He pushed the -Chief away and he grasped the ventilator by the top. -Slowly he worked it into place again. Duval watched him.</p> - -<p>“See how simple it is,” said Bervick.</p> - -<p>Duval grunted and sat down on the railing again. Overhead -a few stars began to shine very palely on the sea. -Bervick hammered in the dark. Then, working too quickly, -he hit his own hand. “Christ!” he said and dropped the -hammer.</p> - -<p>“Now what’s wrong?” asked Duval irritably, shifting his -position on the railing.</p> - -<p>“Hit my hand,” said Bervick, grasping it tightly with -his good hand.</p> - -<p>“Well, hurry up and get that thing nailed.”</p> - -<p>Anger flowed through Bervick in a hot stream. “Damn -it, if you’re in a hurry, do it yourself.” He picked up the -hammer and threw it at Duval.</p> - -<p>The hammer, aimed at Duval’s stomach, curved upward -and hit him in the neck. The Chief made a grab for the -hammer and then the ship descended into a trough.</p> - -<p>Duval swayed uncertainly on the railing. Then Duval -fell overboard.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span>There was a shout and that was all. Bervick got to his -feet and ran to the railing. He could see the Chief, struggling -in the cold water. He was already over a hundred -feet away. Bervick watched him, fascinated. He could not -move.</p> - -<p>His mind worked rapidly. He must find Evans and stop -the engines. Then they would get a lifeboat and row out -and pick the Chief up. Of course, after five, ten minutes in -the water he would be dead.</p> - -<p>Bervick did not move, though. He watched the dark -object on the water as it slipped slowly away. The ship -sank into another deep trough and when they reached the -crest of the next wave there was no dark object on the -water.</p> - -<p>Then he was able to move again. He walked, without -thinking, to the forward deck. A wet wind chilled his face -as he looked out to sea. The snow clouds were still thinning. -In places dim stars shone in the sky.</p> - -<p>He walked back to the stump where the mast had been. -He felt the jagged wood splinters and was glad that he -had not been under the mast when it had fallen.</p> - -<p>Slowly Bervick walked to the afterdeck. He had left the -lazaret open; he closed it and then he went into the salon.</p> - -<p>Hodges was building a house of cards. His hands were -very steady and he was working intensely. When Bervick -shut the door the house of cards collapsed.</p> - -<p>“Damn,” said Hodges and smiled. “Get it fixed all -right?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Yeah, we got it fixed.”</p> - -<p>“I thought I heard a splash a minute ago. You drop anything -over?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span>Bervick swallowed hard. “No, I didn’t throw nothing -overboard.”</p> - -<p>“I guess it was just waves hitting the boat.”</p> - -<p>“Yeah, that was it, waves hitting the deck.” Bervick sat -down on a bench and thought of nothing.</p> - -<p>“Where’d the Chief go?” asked Hodges.</p> - -<p>Bervick wished that Hodges would shut up. “I think he -went below. He went around outside.” Once the lie was -made things became clearer to Bervick. They wouldn’t -know what had happened for hours.</p> - -<p>Hodges began to build his house of cards again.</p> - -<p>Light glinted for a moment on Hodges’ gold ring. That -reminded Bervick of something. He was puzzled. It reminded -him of something unpleasant and important. Then -he remembered: the Chiefs gold tooth which always -gleamed when he laughed, when he laughed at Bervick. -Duval was dead now. He realized this for the first time.</p> - -<p>The salon was very still. Bervick could hear the careful -breathing of Hodges as he built his house of cards. Bervick -watched his fingers, steady fingers, as he worked.</p> - -<p>No one would be sorry Duval was dead, thought Bervick. -His wife would be, of course, and his family, but the -men wouldn’t. They’d think it was a fine thing. They -would talk about it, of course. They would try to guess -what had happened, how Duval fell overboard; they -would wonder when it had happened.</p> - -<p>“You and the Chief were really arguing,” commented -Hodges, putting a piece of the roof in place.</p> - -<p>“We’re not serious.”</p> - -<p>“You sounded serious to me. It’s none of my business<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span> -but I think maybe you sounded off a little too loud. He’s -one of your officers.”</p> - -<p>“We didn’t mean nothing. He talked out of line, too.”</p> - -<p>“That’s right. That’s dangerous stuff to do, talk out of -line. There can be a lot of trouble.”</p> - -<p>“Sure, a lot of trouble. Sometimes guys kill each other -up here. It’s happened. This is a funny place. You get a -little queer up here.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose you’re right.” Hodges added a third story to -his house.</p> - -<p>“Me and the Chief, we don’t get along so well, but I -ain’t got any hard feelings against him, know what I -mean?”</p> - -<p>“I think so. Started over a girl, didn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“There’re not many up here. The ones they’ve got there’s -a lot of competition for. We were just after the same -one.”</p> - -<p>“He got her?”</p> - -<p>“Yeah, he got her.”</p> - -<p>Hodges began to build an annex on the left side of the -house. Bervick hoped he would build one on the right -side, too. It looked lopsided the way it was.</p> - -<p>“That’s too bad,” said Hodges.</p> - -<p>“I didn’t like it so much, either.”</p> - -<p>“I know how you feel.”</p> - -<p>Bervick doubted that, but said nothing.</p> - -<p>Hodges decided to build a fourth story. The house of -cards collapsed promptly. “Damn,” said Hodges and he -did not rebuild.</p> - -<p>Bervick looked at his watch. “I’d better get some sleep,” -he said. “See you in the morning.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span>“Yeah, see you.”</p> - -<p>Evans was singing to himself when Bervick came into -the wheelhouse. The man at the wheel looked sleepily -out to sea.</p> - -<p>“Fix the ventilator?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Have much trouble with it?”</p> - -<p>“Not so much.”</p> - -<p>“Hammer it?”</p> - -<p>“We hammered it.”</p> - -<p>“Who helped you? Not the Chief?”</p> - -<p>“Well, he stood by and watched.”</p> - -<p>“Was he sore you hadn’t already done it?”</p> - -<p>“He’s always sore about something.”</p> - -<p>“I thought I heard you and him arguing below.”</p> - -<p>Bervick played with his blond hair. “We had a little -argument about fixing the ventilator.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll bet you sounded off right in front of the Major.”</p> - -<p>“No, just Hodges.”</p> - -<p>Evans groaned, “What the hell’s matter with you? Can’t -you get along any better than that with people?”</p> - -<p>“Doesn’t look much like it.”</p> - -<p>“He’s going to try get you off this boat, you know that?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think he will,” said Bervick and he was sorry -he had spoken so quickly.</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, you know, I don’t think he’s that kind of guy.”</p> - -<p>“I never heard you say that before.”</p> - -<p>“Well, he’s not so bad, when you get to know him.”</p> - -<p>“Is that right?” Evans laughed. “You don’t make much -sense.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span>Bervick laughed. It was the first time that he had really -felt like laughing in several months. The surface of his -mind was serene: only in the back of his mind, the -thoughts he was not thinking about, only there was he -uneasy.</p> - -<p>“Martin taking over at eight bells?”</p> - -<p>Evans nodded. “You better get him up.”</p> - -<p>Bervick went into the small dark cabin. Martin was -asleep and breathing heavily. Bervick shook him.</p> - -<p>“Get up,” he said.</p> - -<p>“Sure, sure,” said Martin wearily. He rolled out of his -bunk; he was already dressed.</p> - -<p>“Afraid we might sink?”</p> - -<p>“Sure, sure,” said Martin and he moved unsteadily to -the wheelhouse.</p> - -<p>Bervick sat down on his bunk and looked at the darkness. -Duval was dead. He imagined how it must have felt: -the cold water, the numbing sensation, desperation, and -then the whole elaborate business of living ended.</p> - -<p>Evans opened the door of his cabin. “You asleep?” he -asked.</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“I’m going below now. Which ventilator did you fix? -I’ve forgot.”</p> - -<p>“The starboard side. The one amidship.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what I thought.”</p> - -<p>“You going below now?”</p> - -<p>“I thought I’d look around before I turned in. Chief -still up?”</p> - -<p>Bervick controlled his breathing very carefully. “No. -He said he was going to hit the sack.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span>“I won’t bother him then. Good night.”</p> - -<p>“Night.” Evans closed the door.</p> - -<p>Bervick lay in the darkness. He rolled from side to side -in his bunk as the ship lunged regularly on the waves.</p> - -<p>It was not his fault. He was sure of that. He had handed -Duval the hammer. Well, he had thrown the hammer to -him. He had not thrown it very hard, though. The Chief -had lost his balance, that was all. Perhaps the hammer -had hit him and thrown him off balance, but that was not -likely. The ship had been hit by a wave and he was on -the railing and fell off. Of course, the hammer might have -been thrown much harder than he thought, but Duval -had caught it all right. Well, perhaps he had not quite -caught it; the hammer had hit him in the neck, but not -hard enough to knock him overboard.</p> - -<p>Then Duval was in the water and Bervick had tried to -get help but it was too late. No, that was not right, he -had not tried to get help: he had only stood there. But -what could he have done? Fifteen minutes would have -passed before they could have rescued him. Duval would -have been frozen by then. Of course, he should have tried -to pick him up. They couldn’t lose time, though. Not in -this weather. He had tried throwing Duval a line; no, that -wasn’t true at all. He had done nothing at all.</p> - -<p>They would find he was gone by morning, or sooner. -Then they would talk. Hodges would try to remember -when Duval had left and he would remember hearing a -splash: the hammer falling overboard. The Chief had gone -back to the engine room or some place like that.</p> - -<p>Bervick slept uneasily. From time to time he would -awaken with a start, but he could not remember his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span> -dreams. That was the trouble with dreams. The sensation -could be recalled but the details were lost. There were so -many dreams.</p> - - -<h3>iii</h3> - -<p>“I don’t see how it happened,” said the Major. “It’s been -so calm.”</p> - -<p>“I know, it’s been very calm,” agreed the Chaplain.</p> - -<p>Major Barkison, the Chaplain and Hodges were in the -salon. A half-hour before, at three-thirty in the morning, -Evans had told them that Duval was missing.</p> - -<p>In the galley the crew was gathered. The passengers -could hear their voices as Evans questioned them.</p> - -<p>Hodges sat at the galley table playing solitaire. He had -been asleep when one of the crew had come and asked -him to see Evans in the salon.</p> - -<p>Hodges was sleepy. He hoped that Evans would finish -his questioning soon and let them go back to bed. It was -exciting, of course, to have a man disappear, and he wondered -what had happened. Hodges could not believe that -Duval had fallen overboard. That was too unlikely. That -couldn’t happen to anyone he had talked to such a short -time before.</p> - -<p>“The decks are quite slick,” commented the Major. -“It’s easy to slip on them; all you have to do is slip and -that’s the end.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t believe it happened that way,” said the Chaplain. -“He must be somewhere around the ship. There must -be a lot of places where he could be.” The Chaplain, like -Hodges, could not grasp sudden death.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span>“This isn’t a big ship,” said the Major serenely. “They -must’ve looked everywhere.”</p> - -<p>“That water must be awfully cold,” said Hodges, beginning -to feel awake.</p> - -<p>The Chaplain shuddered and muttered something under -his breath.</p> - -<p>“Almost instant death,” said the Major. “Almost instant -death,” he repeated softly. The Chaplain crossed himself. -Hodges wondered how the water must have felt: the killing -waves.</p> - -<p>Evans and Martin walked in from the galley. Evans -looked worried.</p> - -<p>“Did any of you people see Duval tonight?” he asked.</p> - -<p>The Major and the Chaplain said they had not.</p> - -<p>“I did,” said Hodges.</p> - -<p>“About when?”</p> - -<p>“Around ten or eleven, I guess, I haven’t kept much -track of time lately.”</p> - -<p>“What was he doing?”</p> - -<p>“Well, he and Bervick were arguing about fixing the -ventilator or something.”</p> - -<p>“I know all about that. Did you see him around later?”</p> - -<p>“No. He and Bervick went outside to fix this thing. -Bervick came back in alone. He said something or other -about the Chief going below.”</p> - -<p>Evans sat down on the bench. The lines in his face were -deep now. He seemed to Hodges to have stood about all -he could. First the williwaw and then this.</p> - -<p>“Go get Bervick,” said Evans, turning to Martin.</p> - -<p>Martin left.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span>“I guess he fell off, if he did fall off, after Bervick came -in,” said Hodges.</p> - -<p>“Could be,” said Evans.</p> - -<p>“I can’t really believe this has happened,” said the -Chaplain. “He must be somewhere on the ship.”</p> - -<p>“I wish he were,” said Evans. “I wish he were.”</p> - -<p>“There will probably be an investigation,” said the -Major.</p> - -<p>Evans nodded. “They’ll be running all over the ship.”</p> - -<p>Bervick and Martin joined them. Bervick looked surprised.</p> - -<p>“Chief’s missing. That right?”</p> - -<p>“Yeah, he’s gone. The Lieutenant here didn’t see the -Chief after you and him went out to fix the vent.”</p> - -<p>Bervick nodded. “We went out and when we finished -the Chief said something about going up forward. I went -on back to the salon. I guess he went on below later.”</p> - -<p>“Or else he fell overboard after you left,” commented -Evans. He turned again to Martin, “Get the assistants, -will you?”</p> - -<p>The assistant engineers were as surprised as the rest.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know nothing about it,” said the heavy-set one. -“Chief, he went on up top around ten o’clock and he -didn’t come back down, or at least I didn’t see him again.” -The other assistant had not seen him either.</p> - -<p>“Well, there’s the story,” said Evans. “On his way back -he must have slipped.”</p> - -<p>“But it wasn’t rough at all,” said the Major. “I wonder -how he managed to fall over.” The Major carefully made -his large-nosed profile appear keen and hawk-like.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span>“Well, he’d been sitting on the railing when I was fixing -the ventilator. He might have sat on the forward railing -after I left,” said Bervick.</p> - -<p>“He could lose his balance then?”</p> - -<p>Bervick nodded, “Easiest thing in the world.”</p> - -<p>“I see.”</p> - -<p>“We had a deckhand fall off that way once.”</p> - -<p>“Of course, that’s what I feel must have happened. The -decks are so slick.”</p> - -<p>“And you can lose your balance on a railing.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose so.”</p> - -<p>The Chaplain was calm now. He remembered his duty -as a priest. “There will have to be some sort of service,” -he said, looking at Evans.</p> - -<p>“That’s right,” Evans agreed. “I’m supposed to give it -but if you wouldn’t mind I’d rather have you take care -of it.”</p> - -<p>“That’s perfectly all right. I should be glad to give the -service.”</p> - -<p>“What kind is it?” asked the Major dubiously.</p> - -<p>“The Burial at Sea one,” said Evans. “Masters of ships -are supposed to read it when one of the men dies at sea.”</p> - -<p>“Do you have a copy somewhere?” asked the Chaplain. -“I’m afraid I don’t know it. Not quite in my line, you -know.”</p> - -<p>“Yeah, I’ve a copy up top.” Evans looked into the galley. -“Hey, Jim,” he said, “go up and get that Manual, the gray -one on my desk.”</p> - -<p>There was loud grumbling from Jim as he obeyed.</p> - -<p>“Will you make a sermon?” asked the Major.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span>“No, I don’t think so. Well, perhaps.”</p> - -<p>Hodges could see that the Chaplain was rising to the -occasion with considerable gusto.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps a short prayer after the service. Something -very simple, something to describe our, ah, thankfulness -and so on.”</p> - -<p>“That will be nice,” said Major Barkison.</p> - -<p>“Yes, after all it’s our duty to do this thing right.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll bet the Chief would get a kick out of this,” commented -Martin.</p> - -<p>Bervick, who was standing beside him, nodded. “Chief -would really like all this attention.”</p> - -<p>Hodges sat beside Evans on the bench. “What kind of -report you going to make, Mr Evans?”</p> - -<p>Evans shrugged. “The usual one, I guess. Lost at sea in -line of duty, accident.”</p> - -<p>“That’s the simplest, I suppose.” Hodges looked at the -others. They were very solemn. Death had a sobering effect -on people: reminded them that they were not immortal.</p> - -<p>The Chaplain sat muttering to himself. Hodges wondered -if the Chaplain enjoyed this sudden call on his professional -services.</p> - -<p>Major Barkison, whom Hodges admired, was indifferent, -or at least he seemed indifferent. His face was cold and -severe. Hodges tried to look cold and severe, too.</p> - -<p>Martin was excited. His face was flushed and his eyes -unusually bright. He talked with Bervick who seldom answered -him.</p> - -<p>Hodges tried to remember something. He was reminded -of this thing by the sound of waves splashing on the deck.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span> -He scowled and thought and concentrated but the thing -floated away from his conscious mind.</p> - -<p>Evans was talking to one of the assistant engineers. “I -want you to get the Chief’s stuff together. I’ll have to inspect -it and then we’ll send it back.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll get the stuff together.” The two engineers were less -moved than any of the others.</p> - -<p>Evans turned to Martin, “You better make out that usual -notice, you know the one about all people owed money by -the Chief, that one.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll write it up tomorrow.”</p> - -<p>The deckhand named Jim returned and gave Evans a -flat gray book.</p> - -<p>“Here’s the book,” said Evans.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes.” The Chaplain stood up and Evans handed -him the book. The Chaplain thumbed through the pages -muttering, “Fine, fine,” to himself. “A very nice Burial,” -he announced at last. “One of the best. I suggest you call -the men together.”</p> - -<p>Evans nodded at Bervick and Bervick went into the -galley. The Chaplain took his place at the head of one of -the tables. Evans stood beside him. Hodges joined Martin -and the Major at the far end of the salon.</p> - -<p>The crew wandered in. There was a low growl of voices -as they talked among themselves. Bervick assembled them -in front of the Chaplain. Then he stood beside Evans.</p> - -<p>“Everybody’s here except the man on watch.”</p> - -<p>“O.K.,” said Evans. “You want to start, Chaplain?”</p> - -<p>The Chaplain nodded gravely. “I wish,” he said in a low -voice, “that I had my, ah, raiment.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span>“It’s in the hold,” said Evans. “I don’t think we could -get it.”</p> - -<p>“Perfectly all right.”</p> - -<p>Hodges strained to remember the thing that hovered in -the back of his mind; the thought that made him uneasy.</p> - -<p>The Chaplain was speaking. He was saying how sad it -was that Duval was dead.</p> - -<p>Hodges watched the Chaplain. He seemed to expand, to -become larger. His voice was deeper and the words came -in ordered cadences.</p> - -<p>He began to speak:</p> - -<p>“Unto Thy Mercy, most Merciful Father, we commend -the soul of our brother departed, and we commit his body -to the deep; in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to -eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.</p> - -<p>“I heard a voice from Heaven saying....”</p> - -<p>Hodges looked at Bervick. His face was tired. A wave -hit over the ship; there was a splashing sound.</p> - -<p>The Chaplain began to speak Latin and Hodges looked -at Bervick again.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><i>Chapter Seven</i></h2> -</div> - - -<h3>i</h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">“Snow’s</span> starting to clear,” said Martin.</p> - -<p>Evans looked up from the chart table. “We’ll see Arunga -when the snow clears.”</p> - -<p>A high wind had sprung up during the afternoon and -snow flurries swept by them constantly. For a while Martin -had been afraid there would be another williwaw, but -now that they were so near to Arunga it made no difference. -A williwaw near port was much different from one -at sea.</p> - -<p>Martin watched Evans as he measured distances on the -chart with a pair of dividers. Already he was relaxed. He -was whistling to himself.</p> - -<p>“Looks like we’re going to make it,” said Martin.</p> - -<p>“I guess so.” Evans did not look up from his chart.</p> - -<p>“That williwaw, that was pretty close, wasn’t it? I mean -we were almost knocked out.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll say.” Evans stood up straight and stretched himself. -He looked at the barometer and smiled. “We’ll have sunshine -soon,” he said.</p> - -<p>“That’ll be the day.”</p> - -<p>“It could happen.”</p> - -<p>Evans walked over and looked at the compass. “Five -degrees to port,” he said.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span>The man at the wheel began to swing the ship over.</p> - -<p>Martin looked out the window at the whiteness. He -thought of Duval. His name had not been mentioned since -the service early that morning.</p> - -<p>“What’s the procedure when somebody dies aboard -ship, when somebody disappears?”</p> - -<p>“An investigation.”</p> - -<p>“Just a routine one?”</p> - -<p>“Usually. It’s different if they disappear and nobody -sees them.”</p> - -<p>“What happens then?”</p> - -<p>“Still an investigation; a little more so, maybe.”</p> - -<p>“What are you going to tell them?”</p> - -<p>“Just what I know. Last anybody heard the Chief was -out on deck. Then he fell overboard.”</p> - -<p>“I wonder what they’re going to think happened.”</p> - -<p>“Nothing happened except that. What makes you think -anything else happened?” Evans spoke sharply.</p> - -<p>“I don’t think anything different happened,” said Martin. -“It’s what they’ll think, that’s all.”</p> - -<p>“This thing’s happened before. They know what to do. -They’ll be routine.”</p> - -<p>“I hope so.”</p> - -<p>Evans looked at him a moment. Then he looked out the -window.</p> - -<p>Martin yawned and watched the small gray waves splatter -against the bow. Then the snow was suddenly gone. -Weather was like that here. A snowstorm would stop in -several minutes. A gale could blow up and be gone in five -minutes.</p> - -<p>“There it is,” said Evans.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span>“What?”</p> - -<p>“Arunga, off the port bow.”</p> - -<p>Martin looked and saw, for the first time, the black -bulky coastline of Arunga.</p> - -<p>“See that cape?” asked Evans.</p> - -<p>“Yes. That the port?”</p> - -<p>“That’s the port,” Evans said happily. “Go down and see -what shape the lines are in.”</p> - -<p>“How long before we’ll dock?”</p> - -<p>“Couple of hours.”</p> - -<p>“Fine.” Martin went below. Outside on deck the wind -was cool and direct. The air was clear and he could make -out details of the island mountains.</p> - -<p>One of the deckhands came out of the focs’le, the ship’s -dog with him. The dog sniffed the air suspiciously and -then, satisfied, headed for the galley.</p> - -<p>“Is that Arunga, Mate?” asked the deckhand.</p> - -<p>“That’s Arunga.”</p> - -<p>“I guess we really made it. I guess it was pretty close -some of the time.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll say. We had luck.”</p> - -<p>“That’s no lie.” The deckhand walked back to the galley. -Martin examined the lines. They seemed to be in good -shape. He walked to the afterdeck and checked the stern -line: undamaged. He walked into the salon.</p> - -<p>The passengers were talking loudly. Their baggage was -piled on the deck of the salon and they were ready to go -ashore.</p> - -<p>“Somebody would think you people wanted to get off -this boat,” said Martin.</p> - -<p>The others laughed. “We’ve enjoyed it, of course,” said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span> -the Chaplain charitably. “But, we are, ah, land creatures, -if you know what I mean.”</p> - -<p>“I thought it was pretty interesting,” said Hodges. “Not -everybody sees a wind like that.”</p> - -<p>“At least not many people get a chance to tell about it,” -agreed Martin.</p> - -<p>Hodges and the Chaplain began to talk about the trip. -Major Barkison, looking almost as young as he actually -was, turned to Martin. “I hope there’ll be no trouble about -the accident.”</p> - -<p>“You mean Duval?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. If I can be of any help at all just let me know. Tell -Evans that, will you? I feel sure that nothing happened -for which any of you could be held responsible.” Having -said this, the Major joined the Chaplain and Hodges.</p> - -<p>Martin sat down. He knew what the Major thought. He -knew what some of the crew thought, too: that Bervick -had had something to do with Duval’s death. No one -would say anything about it, of course. The crew would -be loyal to Bervick. Evans would pretend that the thought -had never occurred to him. Of the passengers only the -Major appeared to suspect anything. The Chaplain would -never think of it. Hodges might.</p> - -<p>“When are we docking?” asked Hodges.</p> - -<p>“Around an hour or so.”</p> - -<p>“Isn’t that marvellous,” exclaimed Chaplain O’Mahoney. -“I’m sorry,” he added quickly. “We’ve all appreciated what -you’ve done.”</p> - -<p>“I know how you feel,” said Martin. “It’s too bad we -had to have so much excitement.”</p> - -<p>“That,” said the Chaplain, “is life.” There was no answer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span> -to this. Martin went into the galley and watched Smitty -fixing supper.</p> - -<p>“We going to Seward next, Mate?” asked Smitty.</p> - -<p>“Some place like that. We’ll have to go to drydock somewhere.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I want to get off somewheres. I don’t like this -stuff.”</p> - -<p>“That’s too bad.” Martin was getting tired of Smitty’s -complaints. He went slowly up the companionway to the -wheelhouse.</p> - -<p>Bervick and Evans were talking. They stopped abruptly -when Martin entered.</p> - -<p>“How’re the lines?” asked Evans.</p> - -<p>“Good shape.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll be docking soon.”</p> - -<p>Martin looked out the window. Ahead of them he saw -the string of tombstone-like rocks that marked the entrance. -They were a little over five miles from the rocks.</p> - -<p>Bervick opened one of the windows and the wind -cooled the hot wheelhouse.</p> - -<p>“Look,” said Bervick, pointing at the sky.</p> - -<p>“What do you see?” Martin asked.</p> - -<p>“Gulls, lots of gulls. Can’t you see them?”</p> - -<p>Martin strained his eyes and with much effort he was -able to see dark specks moving in the cloudy sky.</p> - -<p>Evans looked at the sky, too. “Well, here we are,” he -said, almost to himself.</p> - -<p>They drew closer and closer to the rocks of the entrance.</p> - -<p>“We’ll dock in about fifteen minutes,” said Evans. “We’ll -be inside the harbor then anyway. You two go below and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span> -get the crew together. Remember we haven’t got a guardrail.”</p> - -<p>“O.K., Skipper,” said Martin. He and Bervick went below -to the galley. The crew was gathered about the galley -table. They were talking casually of the williwaw and -somewhat less casually of Duval.</p> - -<p>“Let’s hit the deck,” said Martin. “We going to tie up -soon. Stand by on the lines.”</p> - -<p>The deckhands went out on deck; Martin and Bervick -followed them.</p> - -<p>Bervick took a deep breath. “When the weather’s good -it’s really good here.”</p> - -<p>“It’s appreciated anyway.” They watched the men move -about the deck, uncoiling lines, arranging the lines for the -landing.</p> - -<p>They entered the bay of Arunga.</p> - -<p>The bay was several miles long. Mountains sloped down -to the water. On the steep slopes were the buildings of the -port and the army post. They were spaced far apart along -the water edge. There were many brown, rounded huts -and large olive-drab warehouses. There were cranes on the -shore for unloading ships and there were many docks.</p> - -<p>“Looks good,” said Martin, “looks good. I never thought -I’d be glad....”</p> - -<p>“Neither did I,” said Bervick.</p> - -<p>The ship glided at half speed through the nets. They -were still over two miles from the docks.</p> - -<p>“Is the radio out?” asked Martin.</p> - -<p>“What? No, I don’t think so. I don’t think it is. No, I -heard Evans tell the signalman to contact the shore.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span>“I’ll bet they’re plenty curious on shore.”</p> - -<p>“Because we haven’t got a mast?”</p> - -<p>“Sure, what did you think I meant?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know. We’re pretty late arriving.”</p> - -<p>“They know there was a williwaw. They probably knew -it here all along.”</p> - -<p>The windows of the wheelhouse were opened. Evans -leaned out of one.</p> - -<p>“All ready to land?” he yelled.</p> - -<p>Martin nodded.</p> - -<p>“We’re going to the East dock. Tie up on this end. Port -landing.”</p> - -<p>Martin nodded. Evans disappeared from the window.</p> - -<p>Bervick went aft to handle the stern lines. Martin -walked forward to the bow. He turned on the anchor -winch.</p> - -<p>“We’ll put the bow line on the winch,” he said to the -deckhand who was handling that line.</p> - -<p>The man tossed one end of his line over the revolving -winch. When they docked he would draw the bow into -shore with the winch.</p> - -<p>A crowd was gathered on the dock. They were pointing -at the ship and talking. Martin felt suddenly important. -He always did when he was at the center of things. Every -eye was on their ship. What had happened to them would -become one of the many repeated stories of the islands. -They were part of a legend now. The ship that had been -smashed in a williwaw and had lost her Chief Engineer in -a mysterious fashion.</p> - -<p>Evans slanted the ship hard to port. They were headed -for the dock. Martin saw that he was going to do one of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span> -his impressive landings. For a moment he hoped that -Evans would foul up the landing. He didn’t, though.</p> - -<p>Just as they seemed about to hit the dock Evans swung -the ship hard to starboard. Easily, gracefully she glided -along parallel to the dock.</p> - -<p>One of the crew threw the heaving line onto the dock. -A man caught it and pulled their bow line out of the sea. -Then he threw it over a piling.</p> - -<p>Evans cut the engines off.</p> - -<p>“Pull the bow in,” Martin shouted to the deckhand beside -the winch. Quickly the man obeyed. The ship stopped -moving. Several officers who had been standing on the -dock climbed aboard. Martin walked slowly toward the -afterdeck. The sea gulls began to circle about the ship.</p> - - -<h3>ii</h3> - -<p>“Handle that carefully, please.” The Chaplain was worried -about his baggage and he did not like the looks of the -man who was placing it on the dock.</p> - -<p>“O.K., O.K., Chaplain. I got it all right. Nothing’s going -to get broke.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you.” Chaplain O’Mahoney shuddered as his -duffel bag fell wetly into a puddle on the dock. Undisturbed, -the man began to load the other passengers’ baggage -on top of his duffel bag.</p> - -<p>The Chaplain buttoned his parka tightly at the throat. -It was not particularly cold but he did not like the thought -of being chilled.</p> - -<p>He walked up and down the forward deck while the -longshoremen began to unload cargo. Men were walking<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span> -all over the ship, examining the stump of the mast and the -other scars of the storm. Up in the wheelhouse he could -see Evans talking with a group of officers.</p> - -<p>He looked up at the dock from time to time. Chaplain -Kerrigan was supposed to meet him at the dock. In the -morning there was to be a meeting of all Chaplains; they -were to discuss something or other, O’Mahoney was not -sure what. He wished that Kerrigan would arrive soon.</p> - -<p>Hodges and Major Barkison came out on deck.</p> - -<p>“All ready to go ashore?” asked the Major.</p> - -<p>“Just as soon as they get unloaded,” said the Chaplain. -“This is the first time I’ve been on Arunga.”</p> - -<p>“Is that right? Would you like me to give you a lift? -My staff car’ll be here soon.”</p> - -<p>“No thank you. Someone’s supposed to meet me.”</p> - -<p>“Fine.” The Major climbed up on the dock and Hodges -followed him.</p> - -<p>O’Mahoney watched them take their baggage off his -now-soaked duffel bag.</p> - -<p>“Chaplain O’Mahoney?” a voice asked.</p> - -<p>He looked to his left and saw a long thin person coming -toward him.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Kerrigan,” O’Mahoney said, and with great care -he pulled himself up on the dock. He tried not to strain -himself because of his heart.</p> - -<p>“We were almost afraid we weren’t going to have you -for our meeting,” said Kerrigan as they shook hands.</p> - -<p>O’Mahoney laughed. “Well, I almost didn’t get here.”</p> - -<p>Kerrigan looked at the ship. “No mast, I see. We were -told that one of the nastiest williwaws they’ve ever had hit -you people.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span>“Is that right? It was really terrifying, if you know what -I mean. Wind all the time. Waves so big you couldn’t see -over them. Oh, it was dreadful.”</p> - -<p>“How long did the storm last?”</p> - -<p>“Two days at least. It was bad most of the time, of -course.”</p> - -<p>“Well, we had a prayer meeting of sorts for you.”</p> - -<p>“With good results, even from a Protestant like yourself.” -They laughed.</p> - -<p>“You all ready to go?” asked Kerrigan.</p> - -<p>“Well....” O’Mahoney stood undecided. He looked at -his duffel bag, blotched with water. “I’d better check with -the Master of the ship before I go.”</p> - -<p>He looked around for Evans. Finally he saw him standing -with a group of officers near the edge of the dock. -They were talking seriously. O’Mahoney walked over to -Evans.</p> - -<p>“I’m about to go,” he said. “I wondered if....” Evans -looked at him blankly. Then he seemed to remember.</p> - -<p>“That’s O.K., Chaplain. Go right ahead. They may get -hold of you for this investigation tomorrow, but that’s all.”</p> - -<p>“They know where to get me.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t suppose you’ll be travelling back with us?”</p> - -<p>The Chaplain shook his head. “I think I’ll fly,” he said.</p> - -<p>Evans smiled. He was really a pleasant young man, -thought the Chaplain suddenly. He appeared a little -abrupt at times but then he had many responsibilities. -They shook hands and said goodbye and murmured that -they would see each other again at Andrefski.</p> - -<p>Some twenty or thirty people were on the dock now,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span> -examining the ship. Officers and enlisted men and sailors -from the navy boats crowded about the ship.</p> - -<p>The Chaplain found Major Barkison talking to a gray-haired -Colonel.</p> - -<p>“On your way, Chaplain?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. My friend just met me. I’m going to be out near -Chapel Number One, I think.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you know where I am, Adjutant’s Office. Drop -by and see me.” The Major was cordial and distant.</p> - -<p>“I certainly will. Good luck.”</p> - -<p>“Good luck, Chaplain.” They shook hands. Then the -Chaplain shook hands with young Hodges who had been -standing near by. The Chaplain walked back to where -Kerrigan stood waiting.</p> - -<p>“Come on,” said Kerrigan. “It’s getting cold, standing -around like this.”</p> - -<p>“Be right with you.” The Chaplain picked his duffel bag -up out of the puddle. He looked at the black water marks.</p> - -<p>“What a shame,” said Kerrigan. “I’ll help you.” Together -they put the duffel bag in the back of Kerrigan’s jeep.</p> - -<p>O’Mahoney climbed into the front seat of the jeep and -Kerrigan got in beside him, carefully shutting the plywood -door. Kerrigan started the engine and slowly they drove -down the dock.</p> - -<p>The Chaplain took a last look at the ship as they drove -by her. The crew was hosing down the decks and the longshoremen -were closing the hatch.</p> - -<p>“I’ll bet you’re glad to be off that boat.”</p> - -<p>O’Mahoney nodded. “You know, that trip took years, -literally years off my life. I don’t think that I’m the same -person now that I was when I left Andrefski.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span>“How come?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, the wind and all that. Fear, I suppose you’d call -it. Somehow all the little things that used to bother me -don’t seem important now, if you know what I mean.”</p> - -<p>“That right?” Kerrigan looked at him with interest. -“There must be something purging about being so near to -death.”</p> - -<p>“I think so.” The Chaplain sighed. “Jealousy and things -like that. Being afraid to die and things like that. They -seem unimportant now.” The Chaplain said these things -and meant them.</p> - -<p>“It must have been a great experience. I understand one -of the men was lost.”</p> - -<p>“That’s right. Poor fellow fell overboard. He was a -Catholic.”</p> - -<p>“That doesn’t follow, does it?”</p> - -<p>“What? Oh, no,” the Chaplain laughed. “Just an accident.”</p> - -<p>“You know Worthenstein, the rabbi who was up here?”</p> - -<p>O’Mahoney nodded, “Fine chap.”</p> - -<p>“Well, he got himself stationed in Anchorage.”</p> - -<p>“No!” The Chaplain was indignant. “I wonder how he -arranged that. I don’t like to be unkind but....”</p> - -<p>Kerrigan nodded, “I know what you mean.” A truck -came suddenly around a corner. Quickly Kerrigan pulled -the jeep out of its way.</p> - -<p>“My gracious!” exclaimed Chaplain O’Mahoney. “Watch -where you’re going.”</p> - - - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span>Major Barkison went out on deck just before the ship -docked. He did not like to admit it but he could barely -wait to get off. He stood watching as they drew near to -shore.</p> - -<p>He felt slightly sick when he saw the bow of the ship -heading straight into the dock. He saw a group of men -standing on shore. If the one on the left moved within the -count of three they would smash into the dock....</p> - -<p>He was forced to admire the way in which Evans swung -the ship over.</p> - -<p>Hodges joined him with the baggage. “I got everything -here, Major.”</p> - -<p>“Good, good. You might toss it up on shore.” A deckhand -came, though, and took the baggage for them.</p> - -<p>“Looks like everybody’s down to see us.”</p> - -<p>The Major nodded. Several officers were waving to him. -His friend, the Chief of Staff, an old army Colonel, was -waiting for him on the dock.</p> - -<p>Impatiently Major Barkison watched the deckhands as -they made the ship fast. When they were at last securely -moored to the dock, he looked up at the wheelhouse and -asked, “Is it all right to go ashore, Mr Evans?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir,” said Evans, who was standing by one of the -windows.</p> - -<p>The Major and Hodges climbed onto the dock. They -were immediately surrounded by a group of officers.</p> - -<p>Major Barkison was quite moved at the concern they -showed. It seemed that the ship had been reported missing -and that they had given up all hope of seeing him -again. It was only an hour before that they had heard the -ship had been sighted off the coast of Arunga.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span>The Colonel was especially glad to see him. “We were -pretty bothered. You know how it is. I hadn’t any idea -who we could make Adjutant if anything happened to -you. Joe, here, he applied for the job.” The Colonel -pointed to a short, stout Captain and everyone laughed -except Joe. Major Barkison smiled to himself: Joe probably -<i>had</i> asked for his job.</p> - -<p>“You get seasick?” asked the Colonel.</p> - -<p>“Certainly not,” said the Major. “You know my iron -stomach.” The junior officers laughed at this bit of esoterica, -and Major Barkison began to feel more normal.</p> - -<p>“They tell me they lost one of the men.”</p> - -<p>“Chief Engineer. He fell overboard.”</p> - -<p>“What a shame. We heard a garbled report about it. I -suppose it was too late to do any good when they picked -him up.”</p> - -<p>“Well, they never did find out when he fell over.”</p> - -<p>“Really?” The Colonel was surprised. “That’s a new one. -Those things happen, of course.”</p> - -<p>“They certainly do.” All the officers began to ask questions -about the trip.</p> - -<p>“I don’t see how you had the nerve to take a boat out -at this time of year,” commented Joe admiringly.</p> - -<p>“Well.” The Major frowned and made his profile look -like Wellington. “There were no planes flying,” he said. -“I had to get back. The General wanted my report and -this was the only way I could come. It could have been -worse,” he added and he knew as he said it that he was -sounding foolish to Hodges, if not to himself.</p> - -<p>“We certainly appreciate that, Barkison. Not many people -would have done it,” said the Colonel.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span>Major Barkison was about to say something further -when the Chaplain walked up to him to say goodbye. The -Major spoke with the Chaplain for a few minutes. He liked -O’Mahoney but Chaplains generally did not appeal to him. -They exchanged goodbyes.</p> - -<p>“Got some good news for you, Barkison,” said the -Colonel when the Chaplain had left.</p> - -<p>“What is it?”</p> - -<p>“You’ve been promoted, Colonel.”</p> - -<p>Major Barkison was very happy. The congratulations -which flowed in around him made up for the fear in which -he had spent the past few days.</p> - -<p>“When did it come through?” he asked finally.</p> - -<p>“Day before yesterday. I got something for you.” The -Colonel searched in one of his pockets and brought forth -two silver Lt Colonel’s leaves. “I’ll pin them on,” he said. -He managed to get the Major’s insignia off but his hands -got cold before he could pin the new insignia on.</p> - -<p>“Oh, hell,” said the Colonel, handing the leaves to Barkison. -“Put them on later.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you,” said Barkison.</p> - -<p>“Let’s get out of here,” said the Colonel. “We got two -cars.” He waved to two staff cars which were parked on -the other end of the dock. Their drivers got into them -and in a moment the cars were beside the ship.</p> - -<p>“Here’s Evans,” said Hodges as Barkison was about to -get into one of the cars.</p> - -<p>“Oh yes, Mr Evans. Do you think you can come to my -office sometime tomorrow? We’ll talk over that investigation -business.”</p> - -<p>“I certainly will, sir.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span>“And thank you for everything, Mr Evans. You did a -fine job.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you, sir.”</p> - -<p>Barkison nodded and Evans walked away.</p> - -<p>Barkison sat between the Colonel and Hodges in the -back seat. For the first time he noticed the difference between -being on land and on the sea. The steadiness of the -land soothed him. He felt safe.</p> - -<p>“You’re giving us a party, aren’t you, brother Barkison?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly, Colonel. I’ve been saving up some liquor for -a moment like this.”</p> - -<p>The Colonel laughed. “You dog, you knew all along you -were going to get this. I bet you were counting the days.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, not quite,” said Barkison. He was thankful now -that he was still alive. He felt like making a dramatic -speech. He began to think of General Gordon and this -made him think of his own immediate General.</p> - -<p>“I hope the old man doesn’t think I’m too late in getting -back.”</p> - -<p>The Colonel shook his head. “Don’t give it a second -thought. He was glad to hear that you’re still with us. The -report could have waited.”</p> - -<p>“That’s a relief,” said Lt Colonel Barkison and he relaxed -in his seat as the staff car took them quickly over -the black roads to the Headquarters.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Hodges helped put the baggage on the dock. Then he -stood with the Major while the other officers asked questions. -Hodges, as much as he admired the Major, could -not help thinking that he was a bit of a poseur. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span> -watched the Major as he talked of the storm. The Major -was much too assured. From the way he talked one would -have thought that he had brought the ship in.</p> - -<p>Evans came over to say goodbye and Major Barkison -was rather patronizing. Hodges wondered if he should be -patronizing, too. He decided not.</p> - -<p>“Goodbye, Mr Evans,” he said. “We really appreciate -what you did for us.”</p> - -<p>“Thanks. I’ll probably see you around tomorrow.”</p> - -<p>“I hope so.”</p> - -<p>Evans walked back to the ship and Hodges joined the -Major in the staff car.</p> - -<p>“Well, Lieutenant,” said the Colonel, “what do you think -of your boss here getting promoted?”</p> - -<p>“I’m certainly glad, sir.”</p> - -<p>“That’s the spirit. Maybe you’ll be, too.” The Colonel -chuckled.</p> - -<p>Barkison was quiet, Hodges noticed. He seemed to be -dreaming about something. Hodges could always tell when -Barkison was daydreaming because his mouth would become -very stern and he would look straight ahead, his -lips occasionally moving.</p> - -<p>“How was this guy,” the Colonel nodded at Barkison, -“how was he on the trip? I’ll bet he was sick all the -time.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no, sir. I don’t think he was sick at all.” Hodges -disliked higher ranking officers being playful.</p> - -<p>The Colonel and Barkison began to talk about various -things and Hodges looked out the window.</p> - -<p>It was several miles to the Headquarters. It was several -miles to everything around here.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span>The countryside, if it could be called that, was bleak -and brown. There was no vegetation, only the spongy -turf. Low hills sloped down into the water and beyond -them the white mountains disappeared into the clouds.</p> - -<p>Ravens and gulls were everywhere. Some of the younger -officers had caught ravens, slit their tongues, and occasionally -had taught them how to talk. Ravens made good -pets.</p> - -<p>“I wonder how the Chaplain’s going to get back to -Andrefski?” asked Hodges.</p> - -<p>“I haven’t any idea,” said Barkison. “He’ll probably fly. -Are planes flying out of here now, Colonel?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly. They have all along. Well, except for a few -days last week.”</p> - -<p>Barkison smiled tightly. “Just when we wanted one, -they stopped flying.”</p> - -<p>“It must have been a great experience for you,” said the -Colonel. “I’d give anything to have been in your shoes. -That ship was really busted up.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, we took quite a knocking.” Barkison looked away -dreamily as though he were reliving those daring hours -when he had stood on the bridge shouting orders to the -men. Hodges thought this was very funny.</p> - -<p>“I know the General thinks a lot of you for this. I heard -him say so this morning at a staff meeting, which reminds -me we’ve got a new Colonel in the Headquarters.”</p> - -<p>“Who is it?”</p> - -<p>“Jerry Clayton. He was at the Point before your time.”</p> - -<p>“The name’s familiar. What’s he going to do here?”</p> - -<p>“Well, this is just between us, Barkison, but I suspect....”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span> -The Colonel lowered his voice and Hodges -looked out the window.</p> - -<p>The staff car drove up to a long building, rather complicated-looking -because of its many wings. Hodges opened -the door and they got out.</p> - -<p>“I’ll see you later, Hodges,” said Barkison. “I’ve got to -go in and see the old man. You’ll be over at the club for -supper, won’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir. I’m going over there right now.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll see you then.” Barkison and the Colonel walked -down a long dimly lit corridor to a door marked Commanding -General.</p> - -<p>Hodges went to his own office. This was a large room -which he shared with three clerks and two Lieutenants. -Only one of the Lieutenants was in the room when Hodges -entered.</p> - -<p>“Well, what do you know, here’s the boy again,” said -the Lieutenant, grinning and shaking hands. “You don’t -look so bad. A little pale, but nothing that a dose of raisin -jack won’t cure.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you look plenty lazy.” They insulted each other -good-naturedly for several minutes. The other Lieutenant -was in his middle twenties and a close friend of Hodges. -They had gone to Officers’ School together. The other -Lieutenant was dark and handsome and constantly shocked -at Hodges’ desire for a military career. A desire which he -usually referred to as “crass” or “gross.”</p> - -<p>“How’s the office been?”</p> - -<p>“Just about the same. I think our friend the Chief of -Staff is going to get moved out.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span>“How come?”</p> - -<p>“Well, they sent a new Colonel in and it looks like our -politician friend is on his way out.”</p> - -<p>“I guess that’s why he was down to meet us.”</p> - -<p>“Sure, he’s winning friends all the time.”</p> - -<p>“Say, I’m hungry. Let’s go over to the club.”</p> - -<p>“O.K., wait till I take care of this.” The Lieutenant put -some papers in his desk. “I wonder where that damn CQ -is? Well, we’ll go anyway.”</p> - -<p>They went outside and Hodges saw that his baggage -was gone. The driver had probably taken it over to his -quarters. He was glad that he wouldn’t have to carry it.</p> - -<p>They walked silently along the black roads. Jeeps and -trucks clattered by them. Men on their way to the theaters -or cafeterias or recreation halls walked along the road. The -twilight was almost as dark as the night.</p> - -<p>The club was another long low complicated building.</p> - -<p>Inside, it was warm and comfortable. There was a large -living room with a fireplace and comfortable chairs. In -here it was almost possible to forget that one was in the -Aleutians.</p> - -<p>Next to the living room was a bar and beyond that a -dining room. Hodges and the Lieutenant went to the bar.</p> - -<p>“Beer.”</p> - -<p>“Beer.”</p> - -<p>They got beer.</p> - -<p>“Those little ships are pretty light, aren’t they? I mean -even in good weather they jump all over the place.”</p> - -<p>Hodges took a swallow of the bitter liquid. “I wouldn’t<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span> -know,” he said at last. “I’ve never been in a boat like that -in good weather.”</p> - -<p>“I guess that’s right. Say, did you stop off at the Big -Harbor?”</p> - -<p>“We were there for a night.”</p> - -<p>“How was it? I never been there but I’ve heard a lot -about the girls there. Got a lot of Canadians there.”</p> - -<p>“Well, they’re all over fifty.”</p> - -<p>“That’s not what I heard.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what I saw anyway.”</p> - -<p>They drank their beer. “Come on,” said Hodges when -they had finished, “let’s go in the dining room. I’m starved.”</p> - -<p>“Didn’t they have food on that boat?”</p> - -<p>“They had it but it was pretty hard to get down when -you were jumping about like we were.”</p> - -<p>The dining room smelt of steak. They took a table in a -corner, and a man took their order.</p> - -<p>Barkison, wearing his new silver leaves, entered the dining -room with the Colonel. They nodded to the Lieutenants -who nodded back.</p> - -<p>“Is that what you want to be? A guy like Barkison: more -brass than brains?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, he’s not so bad. You just have to get to know him. -He’s done pretty well. He might even be a General before -this is over.”</p> - -<p>“No war could last that long.”</p> - -<p>The waiter brought them their dinner. Hodges ate -hungrily.</p> - -<p>“By the way,” said the Lieutenant, “I heard that a guy -got killed on your boat. Mast hit him or something?”</p> - -<p>“That’s not quite right. He fell overboard.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span>“How did that happen?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know. Nobody knows. He went out on deck to -fix something and he never came back.”</p> - -<p>“You think he got the old push, maybe?”</p> - -<p>“No, I don’t,” said Hodges and he spoke more sharply -than was necessary.</p> - -<p>“Well, don’t get so excited. It wouldn’t have been the -first time. Was he a popular guy?”</p> - -<p>“No, I don’t suppose he was.”</p> - -<p>“That sounds mighty familiar to me.”</p> - -<p>“I think it was an accident, though,” said Hodges and he -said the words lightly, not making the mistake of sounding -too interested as he had before.</p> - -<p>“This is the toughest steak I ever ate,” complained the -dark Lieutenant.</p> - -<p>“That’s one of the horrors of war.”</p> - -<p>“It sure is.” They finished their dinner.</p> - -<p>Hodges thought of the night that the Chief had disappeared. -He could remember himself building a house of -cards. He could hear the Chief and Bervick arguing. Then -they went out together and he had stayed inside building -his house of cards. He had gone out on deck once. Duval -had been sitting on the railing and Bervick was fixing the -ventilator. Then he had gone back inside.</p> - -<p>“Want some water?” asked the waiter, filling his glass -and Hodges thought of the splashing sound and of Bervick -coming back into the salon alone.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter with you?” asked the dark Lieutenant.</p> - -<p>“Nothing’s the matter with me. What’s on at the show -tonight?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span></p> - - -<h3>iii</h3> - -<p>Bervick came into Evans’ cabin. It was seven o’clock -and Evans was still asleep.</p> - -<p>“Hey,” said Bervick, and he shook him.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter?” Evans sat up in bed.</p> - -<p>“Nothing’s the matter. Just thought I’d see if you were -up.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’m not up.” Evans stretched out again in his -bunk. For a moment he lay there quietly, his eyes half -shut. He enjoyed the gentle rocking of the ship.</p> - -<p>“Get me a cigarette,” he said finally. Bervick felt in his -pocket and brought out a crumpled pack. He took out a -cigarette, lit it, and handed it to Evans.</p> - -<p>“Thanks,” grunted Evans. He inhaled the smoke comfortably. -Then he began to think. When he awakened in -the morning he always knew if something pleasant or unpleasant -was supposed to happen to him. Today he felt -would be a pleasant day.</p> - -<p>“What you got on your mind?” Evans asked.</p> - -<p>“Nothing, nothing at all.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what I thought. What’re you doing up so early?”</p> - -<p>“Just messing around, that’s all. I couldn’t sleep.”</p> - -<p>“You never do sleep in the morning. You’ve probably -got a guilty conscience.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“Well,” Evans looked at him a little surprised, “well, I -don’t know what I mean, do you?”</p> - -<p>“How should I?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span>“This isn’t making much sense.”</p> - -<p>Bervick agreed. Evans looked at him thoughtfully. He -had been acting strangely lately, ever since the Chief had -disappeared. Evans wondered absently if Bervick might -not have had something to do with Duval’s death. He examined -the idea with interest. Bervick might have hit him -on the head with a hammer and then he might have -dropped him overboard. That was not at all unlikely. -Evans smiled.</p> - -<p>“What’s so funny?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing, nothing at all. I was just thinking.”</p> - -<p>“What about?”</p> - -<p>“I was thinking what a funny thing it would be if you’d -knocked the Chief on the head and tossed him overboard.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I didn’t,” said Bervick. His voice was even. -“Don’t know that I wouldn’t have liked to.”</p> - -<p>“It doesn’t make much difference one way or the other,” -said Evans, quite sure now that Bervick had killed Duval. -“It doesn’t make no difference at all. He was better off -out of the way. Guys’ve been knocked off before. Nicer -people than the Chief have been knocked off.”</p> - -<p>“I thought about doing it a lot, but I didn’t do anything -to him. He just lost his balance.”</p> - -<p>“You saw it then?”</p> - -<p>Bervick nodded slowly. “Yeah, I saw him fall off.”</p> - -<p>“Well, don’t tell me any more about it. I don’t want to -know.”</p> - -<p>“What’re you going to tell the investigating people?”</p> - -<p>“That I don’t know nothing about what happened, and -that’s what you’re going to tell them, too.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span>“You think I should?”</p> - -<p>“I sure do.” Evans made smoke-rings. He was surprised -at how easily he was able to take all this. He felt certain -that Bervick had been responsible for the Chief’s death. -He should report what he knew but he would not. He -would rather protect Bervick. Duval was dead now and he -saw no reason why anyone else should be hurt.</p> - -<p>“You know I didn’t push him,” said Bervick. He looked -strained, Evans thought.</p> - -<p>“O.K., then you didn’t. I don’t care.”</p> - -<p>“I just want you to get that clear. I didn’t push him or -do anything else. He just lost his balance.”</p> - -<p>“I believe you,” said Evans, and he almost did.</p> - -<p>“I don’t want to talk about this any more. Is that all -right with you?”</p> - -<p>“Sure it is. You know what my report’s going to be. -Let’s forget about it.”</p> - -<p>“Fine.” Bervick looked better already, and Evans wondered -if perhaps Bervick was telling the truth. Evans -puffed on his cigarette. He was not curious to know what -had happened and he would probably never know. It was -Bervick’s business, not his.</p> - -<p>“Going to see the Major this morning?”</p> - -<p>Evans groaned. “I suppose I have to.” He got out of bed -and shivered in the cold room. He always slept naked, -even in winter. Quickly he dressed himself. Then he -looked at himself in the mirror. He looked scrofulous. -Evans was not sure what the word meant, but it had been -going through his mind for several days and the sound -of it was most descriptive. From time to time he would -mutter the word to himself. Evans combed his hair and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span> -reminded himself again that he would have to get a haircut -soon.</p> - -<p>“Are you ready?” asked Bervick, who had been watching -him impatiently.</p> - -<p>“All ready.” Evans put on his cap and they left the -cabin and the wheelhouse.</p> - -<p>One of the deckhands was out on deck trying to tack -another piece of canvas over the hole where one of the -forward ventilators had been. As Evans and Bervick went -by him, he asked, “Say, Skipper, do you know what happened -to the hammer? The one we keep in the lazaret.”</p> - -<p>“No, I don’t. It was in there last I heard. You know anything -about it, Bervick?”</p> - -<p>“I used a hammer to fix the ventilator the other night. -I stuck it back in the lazaret.”</p> - -<p>“Well, it ain’t there now.”</p> - -<p>“You better look again,” said Evans.</p> - -<p>“It ain’t there.” The man turned back to his work and -Evans and Bervick climbed up on the dock.</p> - -<p>Evans chuckled and Bervick said nothing.</p> - -<p>They walked past the warehouses and the docks. Bervick -was very quiet and Evans did not bother him.</p> - -<p>He looked at the sky and saw that the gray clouds were -beginning to thin. Perhaps they would have a good day, -one of those days when the sky was blue and the sun -shone clearly. He watched the sea gulls dart and glide in -the windless air.</p> - -<p>Evans wondered what the Major would have to say -about the investigation. He hoped there would not be too -many questions. He was afraid Bervick would say the -wrong thing.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span>A truck stopped for them and they got into the back.</p> - -<p>“I don’t think Barkison’s going to be too much bother,” -said Evans. “I think he’ll help us out.”</p> - -<p>“I hope so. Not that we’ve got anything to hide from -him, much.”</p> - -<p>“Sure, that’s right. We haven’t got anything to hide.”</p> - -<p>The truck stopped at the Headquarters and they jumped -out.</p> - -<p>They entered a large well-lighted room, full of clerks -and typewriters and file cases and all the necessary impedimenta -of waging war.</p> - -<p>Evans asked an effeminate-looking Corporal where he -might find the Adjutant’s office.</p> - -<p>“Right down the hall, sir. First door on the left, sir.” The -man emphasized the “sir” in an irritating manner.</p> - -<p>Evans and Bervick walked down the corridor. The anteroom -to the Adjutant’s office was smaller than the room -they had just left. Several clerks and several Lieutenants -had desks here. On the walls were charts of as many things -as it was possible to chart or graph.</p> - -<p>Evans noticed that one of the empty desks had the sign -“Lt Hodges” on it.</p> - -<p>“Can I help you, sir?” asked a clerk.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I’d like to see Major Barkison.”</p> - -<p>“You mean <i>Colonel</i> Barkison.”</p> - -<p>“When was he promoted?”</p> - -<p>“Well, he got it yesterday. You’re the Master of the boat -he was on, aren’t you?”</p> - -<p>“That’s right.”</p> - -<p>“I think he’s expecting you. Wait here please.” The man<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span> -went into the adjoining office and came out a moment -later. “Colonel Barkison is busy right now. He’ll see you in -a few minutes. Why don’t you sit down?”</p> - -<p>“O.K.” Evans sat in Hodges’ chair and Bervick sat on -the desk.</p> - -<p>“Quite an office Barkison’s got here,” commented Bervick.</p> - -<p>“Yeah, I’d go crazy in a job like this, though. He sits on -his butt all day long.”</p> - -<p>“I’d sure like to make the money he makes.”</p> - -<p>“You could make more fishing.”</p> - -<p>“Could be.” They waited for fifteen minutes. Then Lt -Hodges came out of Barkison’s office.</p> - -<p>“How are you?” he greeted them. “You can go in now.”</p> - -<p>“Thanks.”</p> - -<p>Lt Colonel Barkison was sitting behind his desk, his -mouth firm and his jaw set as he shuffled some papers. He -looked up as they came in. Evans and Bervick did not -salute and Evans was not quite sure whether Barkison was -disappointed or not.</p> - -<p>“Good morning, Evans, Bervick. How’s your boat today?”</p> - -<p>“Just fine, Colonel.”</p> - -<p>“Good.” Barkison did not invite them to sit down and -that irritated Evans.</p> - -<p>“About this investigation....” Barkison began. He -paused and seemed to be thinking. Then he said, “I’ve -been appointed Investigating Officer.”</p> - -<p>“Is that right, sir? I thought they would hold the investigation -at Andrefski.”</p> - -<p>“Normally they would, but you’re not going back there.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span> -We just got word from Andrefski that you’re to proceed -straight to Seward for repairs.” Barkison smiled. “Maybe -you’ll even get to Seattle.”</p> - -<p>“That’s the best news I’ve heard,” said Evans, delighted. -Bervick agreed with him.</p> - -<p>“So,” Barkison frowned, “I’ve been made Investigating -Officer.” He paused again, then he confided, “I’ll tell you -what I’m going to do. I’ll take statements from you two -and some others who might have seen Duval. We’ll do all -that tomorrow. From what I’ve already gathered I feel -that nothing new will turn up. So I can tell you <i>now</i> that -I’m going to report plain accident in line of duty.”</p> - -<p>“I’m glad it’ll be as simple as that,” said Evans, not -knowing what else to say.</p> - -<p>“I feel you’ve had enough trouble without an unpleasant -investigation,” said Barkison and Evans noticed that he -was careful not to look at Bervick.</p> - -<p>“Thank you, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t mention it. I’m quite appreciative of what you, -ah, did. I’m not quite sure in my mind, however, that it -was a wise thing to do, to take a ship out in such bad -weather.”</p> - -<p>Evans was surprised and a little angry. “What do you -mean, Major, I mean Colonel?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing at all, except that some might say, now mind -you I don’t, but some might say you showed bad judgment.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know what you’re talking about, sir. You insisted -on the trip. I said that we were taking a chance, that -was all.” Evans tried to keep the anger out of his voice.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span>“I quite understand, Mr Evans,” said Barkison coldly, -beginning to shuffle his papers again. “I shall see you tomorrow.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir.” Bervick saluted and Evans did not as they -left Barkison’s office.</p> - -<p>“Well,” said Bervick when they were outside the Adjutant’s -office, “there goes that medal of yours.”</p> - -<p>“I’d like to knock that little bastard’s head in,” said -Evans with feeling. “Did you hear him say I showed bad -judgment?”</p> - -<p>“Well, he had to pass the buck; I mean, it would look -bad if people heard he insisted on taking this trip in such -bad weather. He just wants to cover himself.”</p> - -<p>“That man sure changed from what he was on the boat.”</p> - -<p>“He’s just acting natural.”</p> - -<p>Hodges came into the outer office as they were about to -leave.</p> - -<p>“What’s new?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Not a thing,” said Evans.</p> - -<p>“How long you going to be around?”</p> - -<p>“A few more days, maybe. Were going to Seward.”</p> - -<p>“So I heard. That’s a good deal.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll say.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’ll be seeing you around,” said Hodges. He -looked at Bervick a moment and he seemed about to say -something. Then he decided not to. “See you,” he said.</p> - -<p>They said goodbye and went outside.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter with Junior?” asked Evans. “He -looked at you sort of queerly.”</p> - -<p>“He’s got too much imagination, I guess.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span>“Is that it?”</p> - -<p>“That’s it.” Bervick smiled.</p> - -<p>The sky was blue and clear now and the sun shone on -the white mountains. They walked back to the ship.</p> - - -<p class="center">THE END</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="transnote"> -<p class="ph2">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> - -<p>Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.</p> - -<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> -</div></div> - - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILLIWAW ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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