The Cairo bulletin., 1904-03-29

due-dt quail ana Inc STIMULATING OF uh-
numbered crickets A long ripple lick
ed ne slope Of the beach and slld back
4 into the ocean. Wilbur shook his head,
Don't hear anything he whispered.
"Sh there shes trembling again
once more q prolonged but faint
quivering ran through the Bertha Mill
per from stem to stern ana from keel
TO masthead. There was barely au-
dible creaking Of joints ana panels
The oil in the deck tubs trembled Tho
vibration was so dne and rapid lhat it
acbled the soles Of Wilbur's feet as he
stood on the deck
"I'd give two fingers to know what
It all MEANS mumured Moran in
low voice. I've been to sea for
Then suddenly she cried aloud;
STEADY, all! She's lifting again"
The schooner heaved slowly under
them, this time by the stern Up she
went, up and up. while Wilbur grpped
at a stay to keep his place and tried to
choke down his heart, that seemed to
beat against his palate.
"Heayensm calculated Moran, her
eyes blazing. This thing is The
Bertha came suddenly down 20 an
easy Keel, rocking IN that CLASSY sea
MS if in 4 tide rip. The deck WAS awash
with oil Far ont in the bay the rip
pies widening from the schooner blur
Il &c
Cinnamon swarmed up the hatchway
voluble and shrill. Again the Bertha
Millner lifted and sank, the tubs slid
Ing ON the deck, the masts Quivering
like reeds, the timbcrs groaning aloud
with the strain. In the stern some
thing cracked and smashed Then the
trouble died away, the ripplcs faded
into the ocean and the schooner set
tied TO her Keel, quite motionless.
Look said Moran. her face toward
the Bertha's stern. THE ruddcr is out
OF the gudgeons" il was true the
Bertha Millner's helm was unShipped.
There was no more sleep for any one
on board that night Wilbur tramped
the quarter deck, sick with feeling
he dared not put Il name to- Moran
sat by the wrecked ruGdcr head, use
less pistol in her hand swearing under
her breath from time to time Charlie
appeared on the quarter deck at inter
walls, looked at Wilbur ard Moran with
wide open eyes, and then took himself
away. ON the forward deck the coolies
pasted strips Of red paper inscribed
with notices upon the mast and filed
the air with the reek of their joss
sticks
IF one could only see what it was,
growled Moran between her clinehed
teeth But this this heaying aud
trembling, tits queer"
THAT'S it. that's it," said Wilbur
quickly. facing her "What are we 80
ing to do, Moran?
"Stlck It outm she exclaimed, strlk-
ing her knee with her fist I'VE can't
leave the schooner won't leave her.
Iii stay by this dough dish as long as
two planks in her hold together Were
you thinking of cutting away?" She
fixed him with her frown.
Wilbur looked at her, sitting erect
by the disabled rudder, her head bare,
her braids of yellow hair hanging over
her breast, sitting there in mans
clothes and mans boots, the pistol at
her side. He shook his head
Tin not leaving the Bertha till yon
DO" he answered, adding, "i'll stand
by you, mate, until We
Feel thatF said Moran, holding UP
a hand.
A fine, quirerlng tremble was thrift
ing through every beam Of the schoon-
or vibrating each rope like harp
string IT passed away. but before Ell
ther Wilbur or Moran could comment
upon it recommended. this time much
more perceptibly. Charlie dashed aft,
his cue flying.
wat makum heap shake" he
shouted. wat for him shaker No
sayvy, no likee, pretty much heap fiaid.
Aie-yah, aieyah"
Slowly the schooner heaycd IN as
though upon the crest OF some huge
wave, slowly 1t settled and again
gradually lifted, til Wilbur had 10
catch at the rail to steady his footing
The quiyering sensation increased 50
that their very teeth chartered with it.
Below in the cabin they could hear
small objects falling from the shelves
and table. Then, with a sudden drop,
the Bertha fell back to her keel again.
the spilled oil spoutlng from her Soup
pers the masts rocking. the water
churning and spashing from her sides.
And that was all There was no
sound nothing was in sight There
was only the frightened trembling of
the little schooner and that long. slow
heave and lift
Morning came and breakfast was
had il silence and grim perplexity. 1t
was too late to think Of getting away
now that the rudder was disabled The
Bertha Millner must bide where she
was.
And n ittle more Of this dancile."
exclaimed Moran. land wen have the
planks spriucing off the sternpost"
Charlie nodded solemnly He s1id
nothing his gravity had returned
Now in the glare of the tropical day,
with the Bertha Millner sitting the sea
as placidy as p brooding gull, be was
Talleyrand again