The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-04-09
ON BOARD THE SCRAPS AGAIN.

swung the oars inboard, stepped the
mast once more. letting the sail hang,
and then resumed his place by her
side.
God is good to me-" she said at
last. HE will not let you be there
to be killed. You have had trouble
enough and have run enough risks. lie
wishes to keep you for me-"
He shook his head.
"My place is there. My duty is on
yonder deck. Would that | had re-
turned to the ship without going up
to the c~astlei"
"Why. then" she said reproachfully,
"you would not have seen mel"
al know he replied. but then /
would be in my rightful place. fighting
where | should he. Coventry would
be honored in doing his duty. The
admiral would be happy. Your mar
riage would take place
land YOU" she cried. womanlike,
placing him in the balance as opposed
to all the rest. would you have been
happy?"
Happiness has nothing to do with
that" he answered impatiently. at is
q question of duty. | have been a
fool"
HAS tie fool been rewarded in ac-
eordance with his follyF' she asked
him. "Nay. look 1T me before you re-
ply" she cried imperiously. turning
his head until his eyes looked into her
own. In the face of that girl, in the
limpid light of her magic glance, in
that mystic night. there was but n
answer to be made.
IL say no more he replied, kissing
her softly. You are right. | have
you. You are worth it all. | will try
to be a philosopher about all the rest"
Meanwhile the intermittent reports
had been succeeded by n steady roar
of artillery which reverberated and
rolled along the surface of the water.
The Scarborough. some distance from
the Scraps and the Richard to the
northwest. was apparently hotly en-
gagged with the PaIlas. while the ALI
nnce seemed to be sailing back and
forth between the tHo groups of COM
-.--A-s, pouring in a random fire upon
friend and foe alike. Great clouds CT
SlilUhS, DiliCluEeu DN NINlu UdSuGS VI
light, overhung the ships.
The feelings of the young officer can
be imagined. Adrift in that little boat,
watching the awful combat, not even
the presence of the woman he loved
could compensate him for his absence,
in spite of his attempted philosophy.
The fever of the conflict possessed
him. His breath came hard. The
sweat stood on his forehead. He pray.
ed as never before for a breeze to take
him to the fight. He murmured inco-
herent words which told to the tender
listener something of the terrible strug.
gle which ragged within his bosom. So
the long hours wore away.
Toward IL o'clock they heard a ter
rife explosion. and then the roar of
the battle slackened and finally died
AWAY. When the smoke drifted OF
the two ships were lying side by side.
Farther off. almost hull down, were
the Scarborough and the Pallas. which
had ceased their fight some time before.
Tie battle was over. Who had Won?
But it was late, and the breeze so
long wished for now sprung up once
more. and the little boat gathered way
and began to slip through the water
again. The sky had become overcast.
1t grew very dark. The wind fresh
ened steadily and finally blew so strong
that II required all the skill and adj
dress of which O'Neill was possessed
10 keep his unsteady little craft from
capsiZing. Finally lie was forced to
drop the sail and take to the oars to
keep afloat at all. About 2 O'Clock IN
The morning a squall of rain came
down. and they lost sight of the ships.
Toward morning the wind moderated
again. and they were enabled TO set
sail once mere. But the ocean was
covered with n dense mist. They were
In the thick of it and could see moth
ing. AS nearly as he could judge with
III the aid of q compass O'Neill head
ed the boat toward the place where
they had last made out the two ships.
1--WE ought to pick them up in a few
moments now he said to the cover.
Ing. frightened, exhausted girl crouch
ing down in the stern sheets in her
wet. sodden garments. which chung to
her shivering figure. The night had
been too much for her. Her physical
strength had almost given way. though
nothing could abate the affection he
saw shining still in her tired eyes,
'"rherefore in Il few moments we shall
know our fate
'How is that?" she said, rousing her,
self q little.
IF Commodore Jones has been cap
tured.' he answered. II have but to
give myself up and redeem Coventry,
and-you Know the rest"
YES she replied YEARLY and list
lessly. LET it come. We have fought
a good fight, you and l.. We can do nc
more. And the other alternative?'
why. in that ease" he said. 1--WE