Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-07-12

sCan be of use?" he asked, raising
his voice to shout
"Use! Yes, you can be of use" bawl-
ed Charka. sHelp me and my men,"
Cnarka's voice showed his agitation.
His men were working like beavers to
unite the rope that had parted. Har-
vey assisted, and soon the sail was bel
lying out before the steadily growing
wind.
"Noww cried Cllarka exultingly as
the old boat gathered speed. "Now the
Turks cayik would not be SO fastv'
But his jubilation came too soon. A
sudden gust of wind tore the rope he
was holding from his hand. and one
that had been fastened to pin at the
side of the boat snapped with report
like that Of a pistol. 1t cracked two or
three times In the air and then wound
itself around Charkas neck. A snoth-
cred curse came from him as he strug-
gled with the rope. AS Harvey stepped
forward to assist him the sail gave an
extra pull, and Charka was dragged
over the side of the boat into the sea.
A cry came from him as he sank, and
his men muttered their prayers as they
stood shivering, realizing the useless
ness Of trying to aid him.
Don't stand there like idiots!" shout
ed Harvey. you've got small boat.
Get it into the water and save Char
ka!'
"It cannot be done!" cried one. "He
is already left far behind"
Get out the boat, and will go with
you to rescue him."
mo, not you! You are the one who
brought this upon us. Many times
have we sailed upon the Caspian, but
never before did this thing happen to
us. 1t serves us right for taking an
unbelieyer and Muscovite woman on
the boat. That was our curse"
Nonsense! Get out the boat"
The two consulted moment, speak
ing so low that Harvey could not hear.
eve will so to rescue Charka," said
the one who had done the talking.
"But you cannot go. You would bring
as another curse"
Harvey went into the cabin to get
lantern. With the aid of this he watch
ed the two men get the small boat off.
Look well for him. He was a good
man." said Haryey.
"He was" came the answer as the
boat moved off. I'VE shall not return.
We will not remain on boat with a
Muscovite woman and IN unbelieyer.
We do not wish to kill, so we leave"
Harvey stood aghast. Alone he could
not handle the sails. He shouted to
them to come back, but they paid no
attention to him. He returned to Alma.
The fools have left US! Charka was
thrown overheard by a broken rope,
and told them to go in the small boat
to rescue them. They took the boat,
preferring that in the storm to remain
ing on this boat with US. They say,
my darling, we have brought curse
upon them"
The wind howled. The boat shivered
as it was driven along at increasing
speed. The timbers surely would not
hold together long.
My darling! What a terrible expert
ence for you" said Harvey, taking her
in his arms. ut is impossible to con-
troll the boat. The only thing can do
Is to try to cut away the sails"
Dear Harvey, will help you"
But they had nothing save the sword
Of the Inspector general Of prisons with
which to work. With this they hacked
at few ropes they could reach, but
the sails were held by ropes that had
wound themselves around the masts.
One mast broke and fell to the deck.
1t was beyond the power Of both to
move it. The speed of the boat seemed
to be none the less for the loss of that
mast. The rain now came down in
torrents. The boat rocked and rolled
and the waves swept completely over
it.
"We cannot remain here" said Har-
vey, 1--WE must climb up on the hay"
They soon had perch in the hay
which they kept by clinging to the
cords that bound it to keep it in place.
One of Harvey's arms was around the
girl. They rushed along hour after
hour, each moment fearing that the
boat would sink or turn over. Sudden
ly there was a loud crash. The re-
naming mast broke and went plung-
ing into the sea. The boat lurched
frightfully. and it now seemed impos-
sible for it to live in the foaming wa
tiers much longer.
Darling one" cried Alma. "My
dearest sweetheart! Kiss me! Tell me
once again that you love me, and with
your strong arm around me am con-
tent to die"
He kissed her pnssionately.
ut is hard. my beautiful darling, to
die when liberty is almost ours! But
1 see no hope. The boat is filled and
must surely sink. If this be Gods
will, let US not cry out against 1t. Kiss
me again. God grant that this may
not be our last farewell"
(To be continued)
state Of Ohio, City of Toledo, Lucas
County. IS.
Frank J. C;~,ney makes oath that