Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-01-12

no sound came. A devouring thirst
laid hold of him in moment.
Eagerly he felt in his pockets ane
uttered cry of Joy as he pulled oul
a flash and took long drink Of fiery
cognac. The potent spirit. acted on
him like a magic draught. He thrust
out pair of oars, swung the boat
round, and for few minutes pulled
like giant. Then he took another
driEk and suddenly remembered his
companion. Rising from his thwart, he
staggered over to the stern and found
the Weasel stretched on his back, his
eyes wide open and rolling from side
to side, while between his dark and
! swollen lips still more monstrously
swollen tongue protruded, almost bit.
ten In half by the tightly clenched
teeth.
4 oh, Iordy!" cried Trip, with a
silly laugh, what an ugly chap you
4 BEL
The Weasel turned his eyes to the
3speakers face, and something like the
4 CHASTITY mimicry of smile seemed
thought it might have been only fancy
4 Ito flicker across the purple, blistered
features.
That's better" cried Trip, in some
way recalled to himself by this sign
of life: "now take drop Of tits"
And he held the flask to the Wea-
sells lips, but to his own surprise his
hand trembled SO violently that half
the brandy was spilled.
Something. however, Aoused the
Weasel, for suddenly he sat up and
clntched Trips arm with the desper-
ate grip OF a drowning man. His nos
trtls dilated, all his muscles seemed to
strain and twitch and jerk on one long,
+ fierce spasln CT agonized effort. Then
slowly his grip relaxed and he fell
back.
1ripp sat for couple of minutes re-
CARING him intently with a frowning
stare. Then he slapped his knee.
know what you want, old chap"
he cried. with the same foolish laugh.
From his coat pocket he took out a
twist of tobacco and cut off a big
piece.
Here's a prime junk for you, Dick
ey.' he said, and tried In vain to push
1T between the fast shut teeth.
What are you sulky for?" he asked,
with note az anger In his voice, and
thrust the tobacco under the swollen
lip.
The moment his hand was with
drawn It rolled out, but Trip paid no
heed. He crawled back to his thwart
to find both oars gone. There were a
dozen more in the boat. but it never
occurred to him that this must be the
case. He dropped his head between
his hands and fell to mandlin tears.
Quite suddenly, by some strange
rally, he came to himself again. His
head was racked by fierce, throb-
bing, darling pain, but the events Of
the night and his own situation were
clear to him once more.
sDick!" he cried, 'the vernn got the
better OF us. but well win through
somehow. The lugger can't be very
! far OF. /"
He felt about and speedily discov-
cred another pair of oars. He started
vigorously, though every stroke was
fresh agony, for the boat was so large
as TO be almost manageable by sin
gle man, and the wind was rising. AS
he rowed he kept looking round at in
tervals IN the hope Of sighting the lug
gers lights. Then, like the falling Of
wick, g sudden collapse overlook hin...4
Inlnk-t to Ike minutes rest, he
9murmured, as IL in apology to the
dark, silent figure In the stern. Then.
letting the oars go, he rolled sideways
on the thwart and sank into the sleep
OF utter exhaustion.
An hour later he woke to- feel q
drench Of water pouring over, him.
He sprang ,ip and looked round Wild
az, It was still dark. though pale glim-
snserings began to whisper OF the dawn.
The wind was now blowing almost a
gale and the boat pitching and rolling
dangerously ct the mercy OF the an.
my waves. Link by link he tried to-
retrace the chain OF recent events, hut
the effort was useless. The outstretch-
ed figure fronting him caught his eye,
and he leaned forward, regarding II
curiously. , RI
He's : rum looking chap, and vet Il
seem to know the face, too. Ne said
u himself, with ! puzzled air. 81 think
81 wass aboard ship With him once.
But be soon forgot the figure, for
another thought dominated HIS mind.
Iae must look out Tor 4 light ana make