Chums, Vol. XXVI, No. 1305

# "The Man of Silver Mount" by Max Pemberton

This opening serial installment describes the wreck of the steamship Dunbar in the Gulf of Mexico. A young engineer, Harry Jessell, serves as narrator. Eight days from Tampico, cargo fire erupts in the forehold—silver and Mexican goods ignite among wool and timber. Despite crew efforts to fight the blaze, explosion destroys the forward section. The ship founders, drowning most crew and passengers. Jessell escapes into the sea, reaching a raft where he finds Chief Engineer Barnes and two Mexican survivors, Joseph Manvilla and another, who initially refuse assistance. The three recover an overturned lifeboat containing supplies and instruments. Though Barnes distrusts the Mexicans, Jessell persuades him to bring them aboard. The narrative hints at darker intentions among the survivors as they prepare to sail eastward seeking rescue.