Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-04-20

air."
At that instant a thin streak of light
shot up, and then sunk again. There
was no mistaking it this time, and a
simultaneous exclamation burst from all
on deck. From out of the gloom which
hung over the horizon rose a column of
flame that lighted up the night for an
instant, and then sunk, leaving a dull
red spark upon the water.
It's ship on fire." cried Frere.
T'S-~---yl MA.
CHAPTER ".
They looked again. The tiny spark
still burned, and Immediately over it
there grew out of the darkness a Grim
son spot that hung like a lurid star in
the air. Mrs. Vickers. with little Syl-
via clinging to her dress, came up to
share the new sensation.
Captain, you'll lower a boat. We
may save some of the poor fellows"
cries Frere, his heartiness of body re-
viving at the prospect of excitement.
Boat? said Blunt; why, she's
twelve miles off, or more. and there's
not breath O. wind! They've got their
own boats. In the meanwhile We'll show
EN- that there's some one near 'em."
And, as he spoke. blue light hared
kissing into the night There, they'll
see that, l expecty' he said, as the
CHASTITY fame rose, extinguishing the
stars for moment, only to let them
appear again brighter in a darker heav-
en-. Mr.. Best, lower and man the quar-
ter boats! Mr.. Frere, you can go in
one, if you like, and take volunteer or
two >fTOO fbnso Soo Of
amidships. l shall want as many hands
as l can spare to man the long boat
and cutter, in case we want EN-. Steady
there, lads! Easy And, as the first
eight men who could reach the deck
parted to the larboard and starboard
quarter boats, Frere ran down on the
main deck.
At his nod the prison door was thrown
open. The air was hot, and that strange,
horrible Odor peculiar to closely packed
human bodies filed the place He ran
his eve down the double tier of hunks
which lined the side of the ship, and
stopped at the one opposite him.
There seemed to have been some dis
turbance there lately for, instead of the
six pairs of feet which should have pro-
truded therefrOm, the CLEAN of the bulls
eye showed but four.
whats the matter here, sentry?" ho
asked.
prisoner Ill, sir. Doctor sent him to
hospital"
But there should be two"
The other came from behhld the break
of the berths. 1t was Rufus Dawes.
He held by the side as he came, and
saluted.
81 felt sick, sir, and was trying to
get the scuttle open"
Maurice Frere stamped his foot in
dignantly.
Sick! What are you sick about? I'll
give you something to sweat the sickness
out of you. Stand on one side herev'
Rufus Dawes, wondering. obeyed.
(which of You fellows can handle an
oarT' Frere went on. "There, don't
want fifty! Three'll do. Come on now,
make haster'
The heavy door clashed again, and in
another instant the four volunteers"
were on deck.
'"PwO in each boat!' cries Blunt am
burn blue light every hour for you.
Mr.. Best, and take care they don't
swamp you. Lower away, lads!',
As the second prisoner took the oar of
Frere's boat, he uttered a groan and
fell forward, recovering himself instant
ly. Sarah Purfoy, leaning over the side
saw the occurrence.
What is the matter with that man ?"
she said. SIS he ill.,"
Pine was next to her, and looked out
instantly. TITS that big fellow in No.
TO-" he cried Here, Frerem
But Frere heard him not. He was
intent on the beacon that cleaned ever
bright in the distance. Give way. NV
lads!" he shouted. And amidst a cheer
from the ship, the two boats shot out of
the bright circle of the blue light, and
disappeared into the darkness!
Sarah PurfOy looked at Pine for an
explanation, but he turned abruptly
away. For a moment the girl paused. as
if in doubt; and then, ere his retreatine
figure turned to retrace its stems sbe
cast a quick glance around, and. slim
ping down the ladder, made her way To
the 'tween-decks.
The reconstructed oak barricade that
loop-holed for musketry, and perforated
with plated trap-door for sterner needs
separated soldiers from prisoners. was
close to her left hand, and the sentry
at its padlocked door looked at her in
Quiringly. She laid her little hand ON
his big rough one, and opened her brown
eyes at him.
THE hospital" she said ''rhe doctor
sent me-" and before he could answer
her white figure vanished down the
hatch, and passed round the bulkhead.
hahfnS vwhf,h Tow &h. .f,l- -