The Winslow mail., 1899-04-08

grow, QlN nOl d pear 10 want 10 force
a fight. 1t did not come nearer It,
too, was frightened by the strangeness
of its position and the waste of tum.
bling water.
1t approached the rail and looked
down into the little boat. Though this
was done without any apparent inten-
ton of springing into the boat, the
movement gave sid another thrill of
fear. With the tigers head touching
the rail just over the boat. S;d's chances
CT escaping from the sinking ship
seemed slenderer than ever.
After the first shock of fear had
passed Sid tried to calm himself that he
might consider his situation. His only
nope seemed to be to get the tiger away
from the starboard rail. Ii he could do
that he might reach the boat bv a cour-
ageous dash, or by springing into thu
sea he might gain the bat by swim.
ming, even though he was not very
good swimmer. To remain in The r;g-
ging until the ship went down was to
go down with it.
To ascertain what the tiger wouId
do he descended few feet. holding the
shivering monkey tightly against his
breast. The tiger instantly noticed and
resented the movement It's lips drew
back from its white teeth in a snarl
and II took a step in Sd'S direction.
Its attitude was so threatening that the
boy stopped short, with terror again
tugging at his heart.
But fear of the nav of the sea soolf
drove him downward.
This threw the tiger into a rage. II
came nearer. Looking up at him with
its blazing yellow eyes. it crouc5ed
within springing distance of the
shrouds. Its black and yellow bands
seemed to writhe in snaky folds. and its
sinusds, swaying tail quivered to the
very tip.
Only knowledge that the ship was
sinking kept Sid from scram bling back
with all speed. He was sure the vessel
had perceptibly settled since he came
aboard. so short a time Lefore. An
other Big wave was lifting her; and the
conviction was forced on him that the
time in which she would remain afoat
7
seconds
"lf [ only had Delaying pin," h.
thought. Anything to throw!"
He snatched off his cap and hurled il
as far as he could to port.
The tiger rose with a hoarse growl,
glared at the flying cap, and took step
toward it as it fell.
The ship was lifting on another wave.
With trembling fingers Sid drew out
his pocket knife, wrapped his handker,
chief about it, and hurled both over the
tigers head.
They dropped in the port scuppers,
and, with blood-chilling snarl, the
angered brute leaped in that direction.
This was Sid's opportunity. With the
monkey clinging to his shoulders he
sprang down the rigging almost at a
bound and sped across the deck He
heard the tiger slide and turn. Then
he heard it's snarl and the rattle of its
claws, as he began to cas-; off the line
that held the boat.
Terror drove Sid Hollys heart into
his mouth and made his filgers. clumsy
In fancy he felt the tigers hot breath
on his back and it's sharp teeth in his
flesh. But lie cast off the line some
how and sprang over the rail into the
boat
At the same instant there was a rum
bling growl, and the tiger hurled its
sinewy bulk through he cir after him.
Sid, as he crouched, saw il shoot over
him like flash; then heard it drop
with splash into the sea.
He sank down trembling and ex-
hausted, not having strength to push
the boat from the ships side. The
monkey tried to climb from his shout
der into his arms for protection. The
boat swung away of itself as the ship
once more lifted, and by sort of in
stinct Sid put hand on the tiller
Then he saw the tiger rise 10 the sur-
face. splashing as if bewildered. 1t
turned toward him and began to swim.
He gave the tiller a further push. the
sail caught the breeze anG the boat
moved through the water.
The sail caught the full force of the
breeze and the boat quickly drew away
from the ship. Again the tiger sank
and rose, weaker than before. Twice.
was this repeated. Then the big shir
her timbers groaning. gave a sudder
and ominous roll to port. 4 huge green
wave crawled across her decks, as If
seeking to stifie the smoke that rose
from the forecastle. There was an
other groan, with a creaking of yards
and cordage
Sid Holly clung like drowning boy
to the rudder of his little boat. But he
was already far enough from the ship
to be practically out of danger.
Nor was the commotion as great as
he had expected. The waves boileI
furiously for a few moments. Then the
Java, trailing her masts. went down
like leaden plummet.
When the topmasts had disappeared
Sid looked for the tiger. 1t was not to
be seen.
"That came near being our fate,
Jock!"
The words breathed a prayer of graf
itude; and the little monkey, hence
forth for life Sid Holly's friend and
companion, crept toward him, as if ii.
too, felt awed and thankful, and was
taken caressingly in his arms.-Golder
Days.
Old Times.