The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-02-21


THE PIRATE APPROACHING.
must now strengthen her heart The
sight OF the captains pallid face and
the cries OF fear rising on every side
from crew and passengers showed that
there could be no mistake; Kwan Dab
was indeed upon them.
Sho Mai knew what 1t was to face
death amid the shrieking Of a tempest
and in the darkness Of night and storm;
but to feel that destruction was ad-
vancing over this fair sea and in this
glorious sunlight was far more terrible.
And life itself had now a new delight
which love had lent it. She turned to-
ward LII Xii and looked into his face.
1T was pale and the lips were tightly
drawn, but it was the face of a brave
man, and as she gazed upon him thus
Sho Mails heart knew the ultimate con-
ISOLATION that love is stronger than fear
and more subtle than death.
To one 80 full OF vigor as Ii Xiii in
action at such time was impossi BILE.
He turned to the captain.
why do you not summon your men
to defend the ship" he began, but broke
off in disgust, for the man whom be ad
dressed stood wringing his hands in
ahject terror, and muttering words
which we're half prayers, half curses
Then Lii Xii, stepping forward, endeav-
ored to make his voice heard over the
tumult. He shouted words OF encour-
agement, but no one needed him. The
few men among the passengers and
crew whose courage was equal to this
emergency we're powerless amid the
frantic cowardice of the others, who
rushed first one way and then another,
some aimlessly under the blind influ-
ence of panic, others vainly seeking
hiding places or striving to get into the
boats which we're being lowered
Despair seized upor LisHhl and his
heart was like lead in his breast as he
returned to Sho Mas side.
''AIl is in vain" he said; they are all
mad with fear Ali Sho Mai, l could
die a thousand lines and feel no pang
like this, thai am powerless to protect
you; but alone, without single man
to stand by my side and strike one
plow." He ground his teeth with rage
"CowardsI" he shrieked shaking his
clenched hand at the struggling crowd
OF sailors, you deserve the death that
awaits your
His voice was lost in the tumult
I'VE must join in their flight since no
one will make stand" said Sho Mai,
and she led the way to one Of the boats
A hundred frantic men surged toward
the rail az the boat was lowered. and
some in their impotence sprang INTO the
sea. Ii Xiii. putting forth all his great
strength, forced q way for himself and
Sho Mai to the rail. whence with ire
mendous effort he lowered her into the
boat
He was about to follow her when
those who had the oars pushed of, and
in a moment an expanse OF water sep
arated the lovers. In despair he flung
himself from the ships side, and swan
after the boat which bore Sho Mai, but
he could not overtake it. The weeping
girl saw him grasp the rail OF another
boat as it passed him and climb on
board, though those who were in 1T tried
to push him of again into the sea. The
two boats took different courses despite
the efforts OF the lovers, and In lev
minutes were far apart.
The sailors rowed with all theil
might away from their ship, ppoI
which the pirate was now rapidly bear
ing down. The terrible black flag witt
its white crescent tlutte-od from thu
mast, and the decks were swarmi y
with armed men. Sho soon ran VI
alongside the little N ercbantmaD, ant
the pirates poured out upon her decks
Tho ehricks which came across thI
watc. showed the fate of those who had
not escaped in the boats
Presently the pirate vessel cast o,
her fastenings and was seen to drit
gradually away from the prize. IN
wedge-shaped sails, which had bee
lowered but few minutes before, wen
up with rafting sound which could
heard long distance across the water
and the prov was turned in pursuit Q
the fugitives. 1t was not long chase
for when the wind filled out tf
wrinkles of the futtering canvas,
junk, clumsy as she looked, made rap