The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1898-10-06

That was brave jump he sneer
ed to Ackland, and he didn't eve
wet his feet He pushed the boa
away with the oar
Capt Davis, he called, will yo
give me the course through the tirs
watch?'
Yes. you suicidal fool; due south
The captain had just learned of th
damage to his boat, and, unable T.
pursue Ransom, was disposed to max
the best of it. 'Tll come back AM
pick you up when the wind comes
RANSOM he added; but l shall pun
ish you for this
Thank you, captain. I'll make TO
the pole star and allow that the wrecl
is about twenty miles back Any on,
else want to come and help?'
There Was no answer, and Ransom
turning to his motionless comp lnion
commanded, contemptuously: 'G"
out an oar there, and &C to work.
The otl or obeyed. Ransom ranged
the bright star Sirius over the boat.
quarter as that the Pole star hune
over the bow, and silently the two
men pulled away, Ransom, the stron
ger, at the stroke oar, and AcklanC
behind him. The latter might have
been unable, if called upon. to ex
plain his motives in joining III this
expedition. Smarting with humili
alton, he had but blindly thought OF
revenge or justification, and on the
reckless impulse of the moment, and
possessing enough of the acquired
courage of seaman to make light
OF danger IN an open boat at sea, he
had volunteered, and then been goad
ed into following Ransom.
Ransom, on tue contrary, felt, as
the captain had termed him, suicidal
~ his desperation. He had detied his
superior, deserted his duty, and was
ready to attempt a feat that would
appal the heart of any reflective man,
aud not only that but to drag, or
force into danger and perhaps death
this man whom he had insulted and
whom he held negatively responsible
for The peril of Jessie Downs.
Lay back on that oar, there he or
dered. III do the steering
w hat are you going to do? asked
the other, HIS he painted at the oar
Thrash you within al inch of your
life, If | save her; kill you if | don't
Ackland felt that this speech, de
llVered IN a COOL, quiet tone of concen
trated and suppressed rage, WAS not
ali idle one. His heart beat painful
ly against his ribs as he pulled at the
oar, but he did not answer and Ran
som went on: You've about had
your day, Tom Ackiand I've stood
ny you all your hfe-too long, By far.
L fought your battles at school, be-
Cause L liked your smooth voice and
good looks. And you sneaked on me
then. But kept it up, l made you
sailor and taught you your work.
L got you your first berth in the ca
DIN and posted you on navigation. |
supposed, like a fool, that I'd won
your friendship, or at least, your good
will. But you've cut my throat
whenever you thought you could be
netit. You lied about me to Captain
Down and got him down on me. I'd
have teen the next captain in the
employ; now Pm fore the mast again
You found out l was fond of Jessie
and from that moment there was a
change IN her. You told her that
WAS drunk at Key West when YOU
knew it was swamp fever. In short,
after coming between NE and all that
makes life valuable-after winning
Jessie away from me, by your lies,
you've left her TO die by inches rather
than rlsk your worthless life to save
her. Pray, if you know how, thut we
ger there Iii time
Strapped to Ransom's broad back
WAS sailors sheath knife, which
Ackland's eye rested upon. A muir
derous Impulse, born of hatred and
fear, possessed nim for the moment,
and he reached for it; but the action
disturbed the balance of the boat, and
he missed his knuckles pressing into
RansOm's side.
lake the stroke oar said Ransom,
arising, with stormy snile, i II need
you while longer, but you want
watching
Ackland sullenly obeyed, and for
two hours the strange voyage contin
ued before the next word was spoken
then Ackland painted out: Pm spent.
Pull in your oar aud get your
wind said Ransom,' arising and
Jerking his own oar into the socket
at the stern. With mighty strokes,
which indicated no inroads of fatigue,
he forced the boat onward at nearly
the former speed, while Ackland
leaned over his oar
Get any tobacco?' asked Ransor. :.
No
Here He drew forth a plug of
Navy and handed it to the man he
had promised to kill. Ackland was a
| sailor with a sailors wants, and like
| Ransom, imbued with the ethics OF
the forecastle-where tobacco is com
mon property. He bit off piece and
| gave 1t back.
How can we get her out?' he ask
ed.
'We?' said Ransom slowly and
scornfu .ly, We will pull the boat tc
the wreck, and you will watch the
boat while l get her out. l know yor
too we'll to expect you to help; also
know that in your black heart you've
enough feeling for her to induce yor
to stand 10y with this boat Other
wise | wouldn't trust YOU
And l suppose, If you do get hel
out, you think you'll marry her on &C
count of it. ans Iered AckIand, ma
iciously.
Ransom's face became, in the star
light, frightful to see Got you
wlnd!' he asked in low voice 'Ge
to work if you have
He stepped forward to his sea
again and they pulled in silence for ,
half hour longer; then on the eastern
horizon appeared the first flush O
daylight.
In with your oar, said Ransom
we've rup the distance