Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-04-21
CHAPTER ".

| 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-
yiving 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 fared
kissing into the night There. they'll
see that, | expect" he said, as the
CHASTITY fame rose. extinguishing the
stars for moment, only to let them
appear again brighter in darker heav-
en- Mr.. Best, lower and man the quar-
ter boats Mr.. F'rere. you can go in
one if you like. and take a volunteer or
two from those gray jackets of yours
amidships. | shall want as many hands
as can spare TO man the long boat
and cutter, in case we want 'em. 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 filled the place. He ran
his eye 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.
What's the matter here, sentry?' h,
asked.
Prisoner Ill, sir. Doctor sent him to
hospital"
But there should be two"
The other came from behind the break
OF the berths. 1t was Rufus Dawes
He held by the side as he came, and
saluted.
Il 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 herer'
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 haste!'
The heavy door clashed again, and In
another instant the four volunteers"
were on deck
1.-TWO in each boatr' cries Blunt. "T'n
burn blue light every hour for you,
Mr.. Best, and take care they don't
swamp you. Lower away, ladsw
As the second prisoner took the oar of
Frere's boat he uttered groan and
fell forward, recovering himself instant
iy. Sarah Purfoy. leaning over the side
saw the occurrence.
What is the matter with that MANI"
she said. as he ill.,"
Pine was next to her. and looked out
instantly. ITS that big fellow in No.
10 he cried. Here. Frerew
But Frere heard him not. He was
intent on the beacon that cleaned ever
bright in the distance. Give way. my
lads" he shouted. And amidst 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 moment the girl paused. as
II IN doubt; and then, ere his retreating
hgure turned to retrace its steps. she
| east quick glance around, and. slim
ping down the ladder, made her way To
the 'tween-decks
The iron-studded 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. "The doctor
sent me-" and before he could answer
her white figure vanished down the
| hatch, and passed round the bulkhead
behind which lay the sick man.
Though not so hot as in the prison.
the atmosphere Of the lower deck was
close and unhealthy. and the girl paus.
ing to listen to the subdued hum of con.
versation coming from the soldiers
berths, turned strangely sick and giddy.
She drew herself up. however, and held
out her hand to a man who came rapidly
across the misshapen shadows, thrown
by the sulky swinging lantern to meet
her, 1t was young soldier who had
been that day sentry at the convict gang,
way.
well, miss" he said. II am here. yer
see. waiting for yer"
The tone of the sentence seemed tc
awaken and remind her of her errand In
that place. She laughed as loudly and
merrily as she dared, and laid her hand
on the speakers arm. The boy Redeemed
to the roots Of his closely cropped hair
There, that's quite close enough
You're only common soldier, Miles. and
you mustn't make love to me-"
Il know you're above me, Miss Sarah
J You're lady, but | love yer, / do, and
J zen drives me wild with your tricks"
Hush, Miles! they'll hear you. Whe
J In In the hospitalT'
81 dunno"