The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-01-24

back to the wind to get light in the
shelter Of the sou-wester. Pen did not
see her face very clearly. She settled
herself with her back to the warm
casing. where the hot air steamed up
from the engine-room grating under
foot. Pen felt the throb Of the engine
and was conscious of the added noise
Of the revolving paddles. The little
steamer began 10 pitch, for the wind
was right in shore. She climbed the
breaking waves and hurled herself
down between them until she creaked
and strained from stem to stern. The
hand on the steam gauge was wayer-
ing over the red arrow. She was go
ing under full head Of steam against
wind and tide.
Dirty night, isn't itg' said Jess.
DO you Inind?" asked Pen, as If be
enjoyed It.
"Mindw echoed the girl scornfully.
If Captain Jack we're less nervous
should live on board I love both the
sea and the boat. It ia always an
adventure to come out in her, because
the heat from her fires has charred the
timbers until It is wonder that she
holds together when she Is towing 1t
Is an Italian barque we are after this
morning. She has been beating about
the bay since yesterday afternoon, and
now she has brought up with a single
anchor just on the sand bank we call
the Doombar. We shall put two men
aboard to help with the windlass and
stand by to leeward until the anchor
is up, then pass a hawser and tow her
into Cove. Seer
Pen thought he did. but risked no
remark. Differences attract Pen was
not particularly brave, therefore he ad-
mired the pluck Of this sea maiden.
Within twenty minutes they were
alongside the bark and the two cap
tains exchanged shouts quite unintel-
ligible to inexperienced ears.
"A sick woman aboard" exclaimed
Jess excitedly.
Il shall go in the dinghy" and she
left Pen and disappeared in the dark
ness.
Almost Immediately there were
shouts astern. and Pen heard Captain
Jack almost screaming from the bridge;
GO, go and help. you lubber, your
Pen groped his way aft just in time
to see the girl hauled in over the side.
drenched and gasping. She had missed
her footing and gone overheard try
ing to reach the dinghy. but the men
already in the boat had managed to |
effect a rescue.
sIts awfully cold down there" she
said as soon as she could speak, but
I'm not much the worse. thanks to
Ted"
Pen somehow wished that he and not
Ted had been her creditor for grati-
tude. II was not too late to be OF some
use, however.
you must change your clothes At
once" said he.
mo others on board except captains
spare suit. and-don't tell him ! said
SOL would rather not use those said
less. as they walked unsteadily to the
cabin companion.
She stood by the open hatchway
wringing the water from her skirt. A
neat shoe and plump black stocking
shining with water caught Pens eye.
would you wear mine II I took the
captain's?"
THAT is good Of you. really. Yes,
I should not mind that am so cold
as l am"
The steamer was more steady stand
ing By the bark. The musical elm
clink of the windlass came with the
wind. Pen made his way to the bridge
and got the key Of the captains locker.
Then he went below and by the light
of a swinging lamp stripped himself to
the skin. laying all his clothes in order
as he removed them on the small cabin
table. He donned Captain Jacks spare
suit and all that went with It. not in
comfort, but with the satisfaction Of
knowing that now, at all events, he
deserved some thanks. and for an ac-
tion not unheroic.
do not leave your hat" came a
voice down the companion. Mine is
waterproof inside and out"
How did she know I was leaving
it," Pen asked himself
It was like a landsman to forget the
cabin skylight. which is always open
a little for ventilation. except when
big seas are coming aboard.
He was greeted with a merry laugh
as be came up.
my turn, presently he said as she
descended.
Jess Rolston. tfe hardy mariner-or
should It be mariness was not free
from sentiment and certain emotional
She moved her wet
with many shudders and shiy-
erings. but there was something cleo
.ric in PENS soft undergarments, still
warm as he had left them, which
her chin to a glow Of rosy
heat. The unaecustomed fasteuingE
we're novel, not to say embarrassing,
he things were mostly tight where
.hov should have bnnu loose and Innao