The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-11-18

hawsers relaxed a little. their weird
tenor duet took on lower note, and
amid the shouts of the passengers the
huge liner slid backward OF the shoal
Into deep water. The second that Bill
Felt the shock he threw OF the extra
weights on the valve. He was not an
instant too soon. With hiss that
could be heard far above the roar Of
the engine, the boom of the surf and
the shouts of the people the confined
steam rushed out The danger was
over. Bill opened the weather door OF
the engine-room. He felt the need OF
the cool breeze.
To guide the Ionian through the
channel, by the rocks. and over the
shoals was a difficult task. but Bob
accomplished it without accident. In
half an hour the liner was able to
swing around and head for Boston.
AS Lakeland Dinnie hauled in their
hawsers Bob leaned far out OF the
pilot-house and In an sexultant voice
hailed the captain of the Ionian-
Guess you and I are quits he
shouted. You'll hear from my owners
tomorrow"
Don't understand" answered Cap
tain O'Hara.
You'll understand tomorrow" Bob
said. adding in voice that caused
even his own crew to wonder:
My names Bob McIntire."
Then he turned to Pete. who was
srinnins close by, and shook his hand
as IL he'd tear it on.
I'VE did 1t, Petite; we did it.. Made
good, won the money and got squarel
What do you say to that Petite. my gay
bucko--eh?'
I'VE sure handed them towboat fell
lers one or two hard Ones" replied
the mate. slowly tamping his pipe with
a gnarled forefnger. Say, Cap'n.''
with a sort of sheepish look on his
bronzed face, say. how'd a tall dieer,
one of them silky fellers. so with this
mug? Huh! And l got to have bottle
of stun that bubbles. like the swells
drink"
Bob just smiled: he knew his mate.
Yes" said Pete. I'VE sure put it all
over the bunch; we sure did"
Down In the bows the hands were
holding jubilation and were debat-
ing how they could quickest and most
satisfactorily get rid of their prize
money. None of them wanted silk hats
or champagne; any old clothes were
good enough for them. and as for
liquor. it wasn't the quality they
wanted. just the quantity. Let them
alone for that. They knew. So they
sang and shouted and had rough
house" to their hearts content untf
the boat reached Boston. Then they
piled ashore to drink to their good for
tune and boast of the deed in every
barroom of the North End.
The Ionian had no sooner locked
than the general manager of the COM
pany stepped aboard. His face was set
and his greeting to Captain OHara
was cool He would not listen TO any
explanation about running ashore in
the fog. but he wanted full particulars
of the rescue.
What boats pulled you Off" he de-
manded. We sent down almost the
whole maritime fleet
Only one. replied O'Hara, glad to
change the subject. Her captain.
young fellow. did the trick in fine
shape. Didn't have much to do, though
just started us
What's the name of his boat?"
THE Titan
The what"
1.-THE Titan. One of the company's
new boats, ! s'pose. l never saw her
before.
The general manager fairly howled.
"The Titan? My God. man. we're
ruined, Why, you poor fool, the Titan $
a dirty mud -digger-one of the dredg-
ing company's boats, What the hell
did you take line from-her for?"
Il thought she was a maritime tow
boat"
Ibid you ask herr"
NO. I didn't think it was necessary.