Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-12-15
CHATTER XvI1I.-lContinuedl

that first furious hour. Isaac Treherne
made no second mistake but crouched
at the tller, trickng the succession of
great seas that swung upon us out Of the
throbbng blackness. Stung by passing
hailstorms, drenched to the skin, and ach-
ing with cold, | toiled with tin panni-
kin. baling, haling until my back creaked
with stiffness and my hands could scarce
ly feel the handle. Graden and the sail
or worked beside me, so that we man
aged to keep the water under. Now and
again a sljt in the rushing dark above us
showed me Marnac lying by the steers
mans side, Was he alive or dead? !
did not know, nor did / stay my labor to
make inquiry.
The daylight came at last, the God
given light for which all poor mariners
must pray In their hours of danger.
With It came a lessening of the wind
aud a falling sea. Yet there had been
an angry menace in the brilliant coors
that lit the eastern sky. aud l stared
eagerly over the muddy green OF the hur-
rying surges, Indeed, l was the first
to see a steamers smudge of smoke on
the western skyline.
Her be making for We, gentlemen"
remarked our steersman, after a long
stare at the distant vessel. Happen her
would take e aboard, II you be SO
minded. The weat Their be blowing up
again, and it's a long reach back to
Polleven"
II don't like deserving the ship, Isaac"
said Graden; though. to tell the truth, ]
don't relish another day in the chops OF
the Channel" .E...
"Baint no desartion, sir. Ne and
Jake can take her whoam; and, to tell
e the truth, herll ride the lighter for
the want of him. ## ....
He pointed to where Marnac sat
crouching under an oilskin coat. Save for
occasional shivers. the old man seemed
TO be no worse for his handshake with
Death. He received the sailors remark
with benevolent smile. "Doan't e go
grinning at me, you wicked minded ole
toad'' cried Isaac. "Twas only through
special mercies that Providence forgot
you was on board. We'd ha' been sunk
for zarten, else"
Within half an hour We could see
the steamer clearly, an ancient tramp of |
the seas, bluff in the bows square in the |
flank, with a coloring of SCOT and rusty |
iron. She answered cur signals with a |
melancholy toot and stood towards us
Graden. who had been watching her an
proach at my side, turned and walked
aft.
Il have already dropped your revolver
overheard, Professor Marnac," he said
but must trouble you to hand me your
pocket-book. Money, you know. is often
the most valuable of weapons"
The professor obeyed with a gentle
cluck Of amusement
Il trust, Sir Henry, that the notes !
are not damaged" he said in the low.
musical tones with which | was so ia |
miliar ''Indeed, was assured that the
case was waterproof" -
Now, your loose gold, If you please" |
Here it is, Sir Henry. with my watch |
and chain. Observe that my pockets
are now completely empty. All, Mr. Har- |
land, forgive me if | did not notice Won
before. l fear that these nautical ndyen- |
lures will interrupt your course of
studies. Did you hear whom the uni
versity have. appointed in my stead? |
should be sorry if my students. amongst
whom | always held you to be the most
studious, II not the most able, should be
long without lecturer-like sheen that
have lost their shepherd, Mr.. Harland."
turned from him with feeling Of
nausea. Mad or sane, he had done such
deeds as placed him beyond the inter
course of humanity.
The steamer was close upon ms NOW
and as she came rolling down the heave
of the swell we were hailed from the
bridge in tongue that was strange to
me. Before we could reply, a seaman
had sprung to the bulwarks and sent the
coils of line spinning ever us. This
Isaac made fast, allowing a fair space to
intervene between his little craft and
the rusty metal fabric that lowered
above us.
Goodbye, Isaac" said Graden, shak
ing the little Cornishman warmly by
the hand, Il will see to your check the
moment | get to London
"Doan't e mention it, zur. l was
right proud to take e. Nor do e trouble
about we uns. Jake and will be max,
Ing Polleven by midnight at latest
please be-"