Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-20

4 must be granted that she was very un-
handy.
The gale that had blown them out into
the Atlantic had moderated, certainly,
though there was still a considerable breeze
blowing. but the sea running as high
as ever and all Captain Kettles skill was
required to prevent the boat from being in
continentIy swamped. McTodd and the two
Portuguese baiIed necessarily. but the boat
was always half water-logged. In fact,
from constitutional defects she had made
very wet weather of it all through the
blow.
1t was part of the steamer to have borne
down and given the Iifeboat a lee in which
che could have been more readily handled
and three times the larger vessel made an
attempt to do this but without avail
Three times she worked round in a wallow
Ing circle. got to windward and distributed
q smell Of farInyard over the rugged fur
rows OF ocean, and then lost her place
again before she could drift down and give
the smaller craft shelter. Three times did
the crew of the Efeboat, with maritime
point and fuency. curse the incompetence
Of the rust-streaked steamer and all her
complement.
by James," said Kettle savagely, after
the third attempt, ARE they all farmers
on that ship? I've had niger steward
that knew more about handling a vessel
fand delicate. They're nursing her in the
engine room Look at the way they
throttle heT down when she races
THE fools on her upper bridge are enough
for me- to look at" Kettle retOrted. Why
didn't they put sailorman aboard of her
before she was kicked out of port? By
James, # we'd weeks water and victual
with in the Hfeboat here. I'd beat back
for the Canaries as We are and keep clear
of that lin farmyard for bare safety
sake
I'VE haven't a crumb nor drink left"
said the engineer, and I'd not recommend
this present form of conveyance to the in
surance companies.
\ wave-top came up from the tireless
gray sea and slapped green and cold about
his neck and shoulders. Gosh! There
comes mere of the Atlantic TO bale back
into place. Mon. this is no the kind of
navigation l admire
Meanwhile the clumsy tramp steamer
had gone round in a jagged circle of
miles die meter and was climbing back to
position again over the hills and dales of
ocean She rolled and she pitched and she
walowed amongst the seas, and 10 the lay
mind she would have seemed helpIesSneSS
person.ficd But 10 the expert eye she
showed defects in her handling with every
sheer she took amongst the angry waste OF
waters.
odd man and the mates must be staying
down below out of the Wet" said Kettle,
contemPIuously, as he gazed- Looks as If
they've left some sort OF cheap Dutch
QUarteFrn1SteT on the upper DTiOSS 10 run
her. Don't tell me there's an officer holding
an Esglish ticket in command OF that
steamer. They aren't going to miss us this
time. though. if they know it
Looks like as if they were going to soss
down slap on top of US said McTodd, and
set to taking off his coat and boots.
But the cattle steamer, if rot skillfupy
handled. at any rate this time had more
luck She worked her way to windward
again. and then fell of into the trough,
squatterin" down almost out OF sight one
minute. and. in fact showing little OF her
self except a couple OF stumpy. untidy
Tuasts and a brineW Washed smokestack
above the sea scape. and being heaved up
clear almost the next second. a picture OF
rust streaks and yellow spOuting scuppers-
Both craft drifted to lecward before the
wind. but the steamer offered more sur
face and moved the quicker, which was
the object OF the maIeuVer. It seemed to
those iE the life boat that they were not
going 10 ne missed this time and 80 they
lowered away their sOdden canvas, shipped
the tnOlepias and got out their oars. The
two Portuguese fremen did not assist at
first. Dreferrirg to sit III a seni-dazed con-
6ition on the wet floor gratings. but Nc
Todd and Kettle thunped them about the
head. altar the time-hOn6Ted CUSTOM, TIL
they turned to. and presently the life
boat. under three StTainiug oars, was mold
I'D toward her wOuld-be deliverer.
A man on the cattle boats upper brlcge
vas exhibiting himself as a very model
of nervous inCapac!ty, and two, at any
tate. of the castaways in the hfeboat Were
watching him with grim scorn.
Keeping them on the dance in the en-
g.ne room. isn't hep" said McTOdd. Hes
rung that telegraph bell fifteen different
ways this last minute"
THAT man isn't fit to skipper anything
that hasn't got a tow roDe made fast
ahead" said Kettle, contemptuously. He
hasn't the nerve of pound Of putty"
I'm thinking We shall lose the boat
They'll never get her aboard in one piece.
If We get amongst their COW pens with
our bare lives we shall be lucky, They're
going TO heave US u line Stand by TO
catch it quick"
The line was thrown and caught. Tho
cattle steamer surged up over huge roll
iEg sea. showing her jagged bilge chocks
clear. and then she squelched down again.
dragging the nfeboat close in mur3erouS
Cuddle. which smashed in one of her sides
as though it had been made from eggshell.
Other lines were thrown by the hands who
stood against the rail above, and the four
men in the swapping boat each seized an
end. Half climbing. half hoisted from
above. they made their way up the rusted
plating, and the greedy waves from under
meath sucked and clamored at their heels
1t was quite a Joss-up even then whether
they would be dragged from their hold;
but human muscles can put forth desper-
ate efforts in these moments of desperate
stress. and they reached the swaying deck
plankS. bruised and breathless and gasp
Ing. but for the time being safe.
The cattle boats mate, who had been
sistIng their arrival sorted them into
castles with ready perception. Now, you
two dagoes." he said 10 the Portuguese.
get away fOrrard-port side-and bid
some Of cur tiremen TO give you a bunk.
III tell the steward to bring you along a
tot of rum directly He clapped a friendly
hand on McTodds shoulder ''Bo'sn' he
said take this gentleman down 10 the
mess room. and pass the word 10 one of
the engineers to come up and give him
welcome. And then be turned as to AN
equal ard shook Kettle by the hand. Very
glad TO welcome you aboard old fellow
beg pardon. captain l should have said:
didn't see the lace on your sleeve before.
Come below with me. captain. and I'll fix
you up with some dry things outside and
50 me- wet things in. before We have any
further chatter
MIR. Mate" said Kettle. you're very po-
lite, but hadn't ! better 90 up on TO the
bridge aad say 'hOwdy' to the skipper
frst2"
The mate Of the cattle boat grinnea and
tucked his arm inside Capt Kettles ard
dragged him or with kindly force toward
the compdnionway- Take a synch from
me. captain and don't. The old mans in
such mortal fear for the ship that he $
fair crying with it, If he'd had his way I
don't fancy he'd have seen your boat at
all. He said II suicide TO try and pick
you I'D with such a sea running Bat the
second mate and j In some uslv all