Evening journal., 1904-05-21
NJ O r O. n
of the
Lady Lefty

ing. 'ONn you see anything The
sky sea and land were unbrokcn
reaches Of solitude. There was no
breath of wind
Listen" said Moran. Far Off to
landward came the faint, sleepy cluck-
ing Of auuail and the stridllating of un-
numbered crickets. A long ripple lick
ed the slope of the beach ana slid back
into the ocean Wilbur shook his head.
Don't hear anything" he whispered.
Ssh there she's trembling again
once more prolonged but faint
Quivering ran through the Bertha Mill
ner from stem TO stern and from keel
TO masthead. There was a barely au-
dible creaking of joints and panels.
The oil in the deck tubs trembled. The
vibration was so fine and rapid that It
ticlylod the soles Of Wilbur's feet as nc
stood on the deck.
"i'd give two fingers to know what
Il an Means" murmured Moran in a
low voice eve been TO sea for.
Then suddenly she cried aloud
STEADY, all. She's lifting again.
The schooner hcaved slowly under
them this time by the stern. Up she
went. up and up, while Wilbur gripped
at Il stay to keep his place and tried ia
choke down his heart. that seemed to
beat against his palate.
Heavens" calculated Moran, her
eyes blazing. This thing is The
Bertha came suddenly down to an
easy keel. rocking in that CLASSY sea
as if IN tide rip. The deck was awasf
with OIL Far out in the bay tho rip
pies widening from the schooner blur.
rcd the reflections of the stars. The
Cinnamon swarmed up the hatchway
v0luble and shrlll Again the Bertha
Millner lifted and sank the tubs slid
ing on the deck. the Rasts quiverinp
like rccds. the timbcrs grooming aloud
with the strain. In the stern some
thing cracked and smashed. Then tn,
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 rudder is on
OF the gudscons." II was true-th'
Bertha Mllners helm was unshipped.
There was 10 more sleep for any one
on board that night Wilbur trampet
/ the quarter deck. sick with a feeling
hc dared not put q name to. Moran
sat by the wrecked rudder head a use
/ less pistol in her hand swearing undel
her breath from time to time. Charlie
appeared on the quarter deck at inter
/ walls, looked at Wilbur and Moran will
wide open eyes, and then took himself
away. On the forward deck the coolie
pasted strips Of red paper inscribed
with notices upon the mast and file
the air with the reek of their jos
sticks.
If one could only see what it was,
growled Moran between her clinche
teeth. But thls-thls heaving an,
trembling. lt-it's queer"
That's Il, that's it," said Wilbu
quickly, facing hor "What are we go
ing to do, Moanw
"Stick It out" she exclaimed, strili
ing her knee with her fist I'VE can
leave the schooner won't leave her
tn stay by this dough dish as long a
two planks In her hold together. Wer
you thinking of cutting away?" Sh
fixed him With her frown.
Wilbur looked at her. sitting cree
by the disabled rudder. her head bare
her braids OF yellow hair hanging owe
| her breast. sitting there in man
clothes and mans boots. the pistol q
her side. lie shook his head
I'm noI leaving the Bertha til yor
do he answered adding, I'm stan,
by you. mate. until we
"Feel thaty said Moran. holding NJ
a hand.
A fine Quivering trcrhle was thrill
ing through every beam of the schoor
or vibrating each rope Ike har
string. Il passed away, but before 81
tner Wilbur or Moran could common
upon It recommended. this time muc
more perceptbly. Charlie dashed AT
his cue flying
wat makum heap shake?' h
shouted, wat FOR him shake? n
savvy, no likec, pretty much heap naid
Aie-yah, aieyah"
i Slowly the schooner heaved IN n
] though upon the crest Of some hug
wave, slowly It settled and agali
! gradually lifted, tin Wilbur had L
catch az the rail 10 steady his footing
The Quiverlng sensation increased s.
that their very teeth chattcred with il
Below IN the cabin they could hea
small objects falling from the shelve
and table. Then. with a sudden dror
the Bertha fell back 10 her keel again
the spilled oil spouting from her soup
pers, the mastb rocking. the waite
/, churning and splashing from her sides
And that was all. There was NJ
sound-nothing was in sight. Their
was only the frightened trembling O
} the little schooner and that long, SLOW
heave and lift.
! Morning came. and breakfast wa
had IT. silence and grim perplexity. l
was too late to think OF getting ava.
now that the rudder was disabled. TIL
Bertha Mlllner must bide where sh
was.
"And little more OF this dancing.
exclaimed Moran, "and Wen have tn
planks springing or the sternpost"
Charlie nodded solemnly. He sai
nothlng-his gravity had returned
Now in the glare Of the tropical day
with the Bertha Millner sitting the Sc
as placidly as a brooding gull, he. wa
! Talleyrand again.
: Il tinkum vas" he said vaguely.
e well. / think we had better try an
] nix the rudder and put back to Frisco.