Out To Sea
:
Wanted 7 Fearless Engineers
The following morning an advertisement appeared in the papers, under the
heading of help wanted: woman. It was the same address on Morgan Avenue.
His heart sank! The man was advertising for a wife! Now Barrow knew
he was in for a tough streak of luck. He read it carefully.
Opportunity for young lady. Must be of age, single, brilliant, with
good family background. Higher education not necessary. Must be
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willing to travel long distance. Must not be averse to marriage with
brilliant young man; give up all former associations, with no
possibility of return; live life in small community of own race,
with no possibility of communication with former home. Must be
without close family ties, or relationship. Opportunity to live life
of luxury and ease, with amiable group far from present home and
civilization. Young lady who fits qualifications will not regret
applying for position. Honor, love and security will be her reward.
OPPORTUNITY! Room 36, 18 West Morgan Avenue, City.
* * * * *
While Dick was eating dinner on Tuesday evening, a young lady fell
headlong in front of his table. A moment later she was seated in the
chair opposite his own. Ten minutes later he was ordering her dinner.
Afterward, as they walked toward a movie, Dick felt as if he was
committing a crime. He was supposed to meet his future wife--and instead
was entertaining this young lady who had fallen into his life. When he
learned that she was staying at the same hotel, they made a date for
breakfast the next morning.
Dolores Dunbar was good company, and seemed willing to spend most of her
time in Dick's company. He learned that she was as friendless as
himself, and wondered why they couldn't have met before he made the
strange bargain. But as the third day drew to a close she appeared
apprehensive.
When she kept glancing around, as if expecting someone, Dick became
curious, and felt rather hurt to think she was looking for someone else.
Finally she spoke.
"I'm sorry, Dick, that I've made use of you the way I have, but I was
ordered to do it. You see, my employer told me to meet you and spend
every possible moment in your company. He also said that I would become
acquainted with someone through you, and that you would know who he was,
when I said I came from the large-headed man on Morgan Avenue--with a
letter."
For a moment Dick was stunned. Then he laughed, a sickly, half-hearted
laugh. When he found his voice it squeaked.
"I think we had better go to my room. We have some very private things
to say."
The queer man had succeeded in their being together for three days
before either knew they were the central figures in the drama. Now
they felt farther apart than at any moment since they had met, but
nervously admitted they had fared better than they expected.
* * * * *
They were married in the morning, to keep the agreement, but didn't
consider it part of the bargain to live as man and wife.
Dick found only one order in the letter, to be at the office at ten
o'clock on Tuesday morning. That left five days to enjoy themselves.
In spite of the stiffness between them Dick noticed how the light caught
in Dolores' dark hair, and how her brown eyes sparkled at each new
sight. Her head reached just above his shoulder, and he had never danced
with a better partner. She enjoyed his company, and admitted to herself
that he was a perfect gentleman.
During the five days they saw every good show, and visited every popular
night club. Things they had always wanted to do were packed into the
short time to themselves. Dick hired a car, and they drove for hours
through the country. When Tuesday morning came they were tired, and it
was hard to get up in time to keep the appointment.
When they opened the door, the big-headed man laughed at their yawns. "I
see that you've either been enjoying yourselves, or have been trying
mighty hard. You can make up your sleep from now on, as it will be a
long time before we reach our destination. How do you like each other
for permanent companions?"
Their faces grew crimson. Finally Dick found his voice. "I'm perfectly
satisfied, Sir. I think Dolores is very pretty, and is very good
company!"
He looked the other way to hide his embarrassment, as the girl spoke.
"I feel the same way. We have enjoyed being together, and perhaps when
we are better acquainted the stiffness will disappear. We both feel odd,
because we were required to marry!"
The strange man laughed out loud at this. "In other words you might
have fallen in love, if you had been allowed time to do it. But having
to marry creates an entirely different feeling. I believe it will work
out well, even though you feel cheated at the moment. But we haven't any
time to lose. Everyone is at the dock and we sail in two hours.
"Here are your instructions, Dick. From now on you give the orders,
and I remain in the background. They will all feel more comfortable
under the command of one of their own race. Study everything carefully
on the way to the dock, then give them as your own orders."
Dick had little time for anything except to look through the sheaf of
papers. On one sheet was a list of seven couples, with stateroom numbers
beside each. His own was on the top, with number three room. This he
dropped in a side pocket where it would be easy to find. The remainder
was in connection with sailing.
Dick, Dolores and the big-headed man occupied one cab, while the baggage
followed in another. Dolores had obtained quite a wardrobe, much to the
amusement of her employer. But the man spoke only once during the trip.
"Everyone in the party must consider that they work for you, Dick. You
must hear all complaints and settle all differences. They must not
approach me for any reason. I am known as Morquil, of section one, which
you will understand when we reach our destination."
The crew was hurrying back and forth on the deck of the small ship,
taking care of last-minute details. A group of people were gathered
beside a huge stack of baggage, and Dick walked toward them without
waiting for the others.
Dolores went up the gangplank beside Morquil, helping him slightly. He
seemed to have difficulty in supporting his enormous head with the
slight body.
As Dick reached the group, he read the names from the list in his hand.
"Mr. and Mrs. John McCarthy. You are in stateroom number seven. Take
what baggage you can carry, the rest will be put on board." He called
each name and stateroom; they headed for the ship. John McCarthy he
found was the man he had met in the office, and he still had his
perpetual grin. Evidently his fiancee had agreed to the pact for they
were now man and wife.
When Dick started toward the ship, after watching the baggage put on
board, he was stopped by a tap on the shoulder. The cab drivers were
still waiting for their money. Morquil had left everything in his hands,
even to paying for the motor trip to the dock.
It was a strange departure, with only a few people on the dock to say
goodbye. Even they were just neighbors of the passengers. Most of the
women on board were crying as the Primrose nosed out through the
harbor toward the open sea.
* * * * *
Dick was still at the rail when the captain approached. "I'm sorry to
bother you, Mr. Barrow, but I must know our destination so I can set the
course."
The young leader's day dreaming was cut short, to jerk him back to his
duties. He felt that the lives and hopes of everyone on the ship had
been thrust into his hands.
Even the captain didn't know where they were going. The ship had been
chartered for a voyage of several months, to an unknown destination. He
and the crew were well paid, and didn't care where they went.
Dick drew a sealed envelope from his pocket, detached a slip of paper
and handed it to the captain. He read the note, then repeated it. "You
are to keep the destination to yourself. No one on the ship is to know
where we are going, and you will not mention it to me again. I hope that
we have good weather, Captain, and a fast trip."
Barrow felt like a fool. Repeating messages as if they were his
own--without the slightest knowledge of what they were about. He was
supposedly charting the course--and didn't have the slightest idea where
they were going.
When Dick reached his stateroom (after answering questions from everyone
on board--and telling them nothing) he found Dolores sobbing. She had
kept her smile until the boat sailed. Now she was crying her eyes out.
It was not a new sight, as every woman on the ship seemed occupied in
the same way, with the men trying to comfort them.
As Dick sat down beside her, he could feel the throb of the diesel
motor. It seemed to carry the rhythm of adventure through the walls of
the cabin, giving the feeling of the unknown. For a long time there was
silence while Dolores held one of Dick's hands for protection.
"Dick! We only have one cabin! I'm supposed to stay here with you--and
I hardly know you! Morquil told me that I must stay here, there are no
extra rooms."
"I'm sorry, Dolores. We will just have to put up with things as they
are. We've got into this and will have to see it through. After all, we
are man and wife, and the people on board would think it strange if we
didn't occupy the same room. There are two bunks, so I won't have to
sleep on the floor. It will be a long trip, and we might as well enjoy
it as much as possible."
Days changed into weeks as the ship plowed steadily south. They stopped
at one port for a few hours to refuel, but there was little to see. The
ship was slow and it felt good to walk on land again. But no one spoke
enough English to answer questions.
It was the only time they sighted land until just before the end of the
trip, when small islands began to slide by. Some within a few hundred
feet, others just visible in the distance. Morquil hadn't appeared on
deck during the entire trip, but now he approached the rail.
His face lighted with an ethereal glow as he gazed across the blue
water. He looked like a man who was sighting his home after many years
of absence. Dick couldn't help but feel glad for him, while cold chills
of misgiving crept up and down his own spine. Their voyage was ending at
a far different place that he had pictured in his mind, and quite the
opposite of the description which Morquil had given of gigantic
mechanical development.
They were passing by small south-sea islands, where mechanical equipment
was out of the question. They hardly appeared habitable!
When the captain approached Dick, Morquil joined the conversation.
"I'll give you the directions, Captain. Mr. Barrow is not feeling
well, and I can do it for him.
"In about an hour we will reach the island, and I will point out the
entrance to the harbor. It is well protected and there is no need to
worry about any storm while we unload."
* * * * *
Every inch of space in the ship was packed with supplies. There were
crates of books as well as pieces of machinery. Considerable radio
equipment included assembled sets as well as parts. There were rifles
and even one small cannon. Several crates of chickens and turkeys joined
the other things on the beach. Then to the amazement of the party, a
crate of pigs appeared.
It required three days to empty the ship, and with each passing hour the
little party grew more apprehensive. It seemed as if they had been
transferred to an island to start a new civilization, instead of a
place where mechanical development was far advanced. Because Dick was
the leader of the party, the others began to look at him with hatred;
Morquil was almost forgotten.
When the last piece of equipment was covered with heavy tarpaulins, they
constructed a shelter against one side of the pile. It was almost dark
when everything was finished, and the captain decided to wait until the
next day to sail. Everyone was invited on board the Primrose, for a
farewell party.
Dick was forced to call a meeting in the main cabin, to forestall danger
of the party deserting with the ship. Morquil had instructed him
carefully.
"Friends, we are facing a great adventure. I'm in no different position
than you, except that as leader I am responsible for whatever happens. I
must take all blame for whatever comes, yet know that it will eventually
work out as we expected.
"You all know that it is forbidden to talk about this trip, or to
surmise our destination. I can assure you that it is done for your
benefit, and later you will appreciate the fact that you did not know
the future. I can't say what the next few days will bring to all of us,
but be assured that everything you have been promised will be fulfilled.
"At the moment it seems impossible that things can turn out as we
expected, but they will! You must simply be patient, and do not lose
faith in this great adventure."
As Dick finished his speech, Morquil smiled, well satisfied. Dolores
even smiled faintly, although it required effort to overcome her feeling
of disaster.
The following morning everyone went ashore, and John McCarthy went
around trying to aid Barrow in cheering up the party. He lied like a
trooper, whispering to everyone that he had discovered something that
satisfied him about the marvelous civilization they would reach before
long.
Word of this reached Morquil, and he hurriedly called Dick and John out
of sound of the others. He appeared almost frightened, and the moment
they were alone, he spoke.
"What have you learned? I wanted you to know nothing, and it is better
if you are ignorant. Whatever you learned is too much, and may upset the
future."
John started to laugh, then seeing the expression of agony on the face
of Morquil, he stopped short. "Don't worry. I haven't learned
anything! I simply tried to help Dick keep the people satisfied. They
were getting so restless they needed something. In my home town I was
known as a famous liar, and thought my ability might come in handy."
Slowly the agony disappeared from Morquil's face. "Someday you will
understand how much you have done for me, John. You will never regret
it!"
The McCarthys remained jovial, and tried to keep up the spirits of the
others as the days of loneliness passed.
* * * * *
Philip Jones and his wife were quiet, and waited patiently. Andrew and
Emma Smith had taken over the cooking, and served the meals. George and
Mary Martin were the youngest couple, and Dick doubted whether either of
them was past twenty-one. The others were all nearer thirty. They spent
their time side by side, gazing over the sea, perfectly happy in each
other's company.
Jerold Brown and Peter Yarbro were constantly fishing, from the
collapsible boat, while their wives played cards.
One night they were awakened by brilliant flashes of light. Running to
the beach, they watched in amazement.
They appeared like big guns firing just above the surface of the water,
a few miles away. While they watched they gradually faded out. It was
like a terrific electric storm, and the little party drew close together
for comfort.
When the lights faded out entirely, Morquil told them to get some sleep.
They would have to move equipment aboard a new ship the following day.
With the first streak of dawn Dick was back at the edge of the beach,
straining his eyes into the gloom, but it was almost an hour before any
object was visible.
After breakfast the ship was much plainer. They could see a rounded
hull, like the top of a huge submarine, above the water. One of the
women remarked that she would stay on the island before she'd enter an
undersea ship. The trip on the Primrose was bad enough, but it wasn't
below the surface.
Morquil called them within the canvas shelter, as if to make a speech.
He held a small ball in one hand, and while they waited for instructions
it landed in their midst.
A cloud of yellow vapor burst from the object, and everyone in the party
slowly sank to the ground. Morquil joined the others in unconscious
stupor, a victim of his own gas.