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
<
r /> 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.



More

;