Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-05-06
CHAPTER II.

pitched headlOng into chaos. Iris torn
from the terrified grasp OF her maid.
fell through 4 corridor and would have
gone down with the ship had not
sailor, clinging to a companion ladder.
caught her as she whirlcd along the
steep slope OF the deck
lie did not know what had happen-
ed. With the instinct OF self preserva-
ton he seized the nearest support
when the vessel struck 1t was the
mere impulse OF ready helpfulness that
caused him TO stretch out his left arm
and clasp the girls waist as she futter.
ed past BY idle chance they were on
the port side. and the ship. after paus-
Ing for one awful second. fell over TO
starboard
The man was not prepared for this
second gyratiOn. Even as the stair
way canted he lost his balance: they
were both thrown violently through
the open batchway and swept of into
the boiling surf. Under such condi-
tons thought itself was impossible \
series Of Impressions a number of fan
tastic pictures. We're received 10y the he
numbed faculties and afterward pain
fully sorted out by the memory. Fear
anguish. amazemcnt-nOnc Of these
could exist. All he knew was that the
ItelesS form OF a womau-fOr Iris had
happily fainted-must be held until
death itself wrenched her from him
Then tLere came the headlong plunge
into the swirling sea. followed by an
Indefinite period OF gasping oblivion
something that felt Ike moving rock
rose up beneath his feet. He was driv-
EN- clear out OF the water and seemed 10
recognize a familiar object rising rigid
and bright close nj hand. It WAS the
pinnacle pillar. screwed TO 4 portion OF
the deck which came away from the
chart house, and was rent from the up
per framework by contact with the
reef He seized this unlocked for sup
port with his disengaged hand.
A uniformed figure-he thought Il
was the captain-stretched out an UNI
awaiting arm 10 clasp the queer raft
which supported the sailor and the
girl. but a jealous wave rose under
the platform with devilish energy and
turned n completely over hurting the
man with his inanimate burden into
the depths. He rose. fighting madly
for his life. Now surely he was doom
ed. But again. as II human existence
the spinning OF a coin. his knees rested
on the same few stanch timbers. now
the ceiling of The music room. and he
was given a brief respite His great
est difficulty was 90 get his breath. so
dense was the spray through which
he was driven. Even in that terrible
moment he kept his senses. The girl.
utterly unconscious, showed by the
lei -.
she was choking. With n wild effort
he swung her head round to shield her
from the flying scud with his own
FORM.
The tiny air space thus provided
gave her some relief and I'm that in
slant the sailor seemed TO recognize
her. He was not remotely capable of n
definite idea. Just rs he vaguely real
lied the identity OF the woman in his
arms the unsteady support on which
he rested toppled over. Again he re-
newed the unequal contest \ strong.
resolute man and "A typhOon sea wres-
tied for supremacy.
This time his feet plunged against
something gratefully solid He was
dashed forward. still battling with the
raging turmoil OF water. and a second
time he felt Tie same firm yet smooth
surface. His dormant faculties awOke
IL was sand. With frenzied despera-
tiOn, buoyed now by the inspiring hope |
OF safety, he fought his way onward |
like a maniac
OFTEN he fell. Three times did the |
backwash try 10 drag him TO the |
swirling death behind. but he staggered |
blindly on. on, until even the tearing |
gale ceased TO be laden with the suffo- |
eating foam. and his falterlng feet \
sank in deep soft white sand
Then he fell. not 10 rise again. with |
a last weak flicker o. exhausted |
strength he drew the girl closely to |
him. and the two lay ciaSped tightly |
together, Needless now of all things.
How long the man remained pros 1
frate he could only guess subsequently. |
The Sirdar struck soon after day |
break, and the sailor awoke To a hazy |
consciousness Of his surroundings TO /
md shaft OF sunshine fiickering |
through the clouds banked up In the
east. The sale was already passing |
away. Although the wind still whis-
tied with shrill violence. it was more
clustering than threatening. The sea.
~N~f
treated many yards from the spot
where be had finally dropped. and its |
surface was no longer scourged with
venomous spray.
Slowly and painfully he raised him
self 10 sitting posture. for he was
bruised and stiff. With his first move
ment he became violently H. He had
swallowed much salt water. and it |
was not until the spasm OF sickness
had passed that he thought OF the girl.
she cannot be deaG> he hoarsely
murmured, feebIy trying to lift her.
Surely Providence would not desert
her after such an escape What a
weak beggar I must be to give IN at
the last moment 1 am sure she was |
living when we got ashore. What on
earth can ! do to revive her?"
Forgetful OF his own aching limbs in |
This newborn anxiety. he sank on one
tnee and gently piliowed Iris head and
shoulders on the other. Her eyes were |