Page:The Wireless Operator with the U.S. Coast Guard.djvu/116

 very comfortable, but not nearly so elaborate as those on the Coast Guard cutter. The mate was in his bunk, and was quite evidently very ill. He was pale and wasted and he tossed feebly on his mattress, muttering unintelligibly in his native tongue. Plainly he was out of his head. The room smelled close and foul, with that sour, offensive odor so peculiar to sick rooms. It was more than Henry could stand, and he retreated to the deck.

With interest he examined the big freighter. It was the first time he had ever been aboard such a vessel. She was a ship of good length, built for capacity rather than speed, and her lines were as ample as those of a Dutch hausfrau. They made the boat appear clumsy. She was cut low amidship, her forecastle and afterdecks being built at a higher level. The long stretch of clear deck, unbroken by superstructure, made the craft seem longer than she really was. Fore and aft rose the enormous cargo-derricks, which had been so conspicuous from a distance. And Henry was interested to see how the derrick-booms were lashed in their places. The cargo hatches were mostly battened down.

But Henry had little interest in anything else, once he had a good look at the crew, grouped along the forward rail. When he saw them, it seemed as though he had somehow been magically