Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-10-05

made a din like the booming OF a hundred
Cannons and the mist and rack scudded
over the waters, mingled with the sheets
of driving spray.
Suddenly a huge sea sweeping over the
vessel astern tore the helmsman from the
wheel, and sent him shrieking overheard.
his form soon disappearing to eeward.
The captain now ordered the Persian girl
to the helm. She seized the spokes, and
directed the vessel skilfully before the
raging gale. Evidently she had had ex-
p~erience in steering. The Arab pirate had
probably instructed her in working the
helm.
A beautiful picture she presented, stand
ing there at the wheel with her long hair
flowing on the raging wind, her dark eyes
flashing, and her cheeks glowing.
From his position Weston could see her
as she guided the vessel, and he fancied
that she now and then directed toward
him a peculiar glance.
Her lips were tightly compressed, her
bosom heaved. and an expression of indig-
nation against the pirate captain, which
she Yainly strove to hide, was strangely
blended with a look of pity and tenderness
for the imperiled young officer, who had
so calamity interfered in her behalf.
Steady shouted the Arab; ''be careful
there at Wheel"
aye, aye, SIT, came the musical volce
OF the fair Persian.
Afraid sloop go down II gale last" said
the Arab commander to Weston. Afraid
nothing can save. But before sink me XIII
you. You not shall be save from die by
AK"
So saying, he picked up the broadax.
The lieutenant nerved himself TO meet his
horrid fate.
Up went the AK, raised above the cap
tive's bound hands, which the barbarian
intended first to cut off.
Meanwhile the girl at the helm had d.
rected a swift glance at a huge wall OF
water, a tremendous sea rolling astern.
Now her gaze was fixed steadily on the
fierce brute holding the uplifted weapon.
There was a peculiar glitter. a singular
expression in her soft eyes.
Higher rose the AK; nearer came the sea.
Suddenly, as swift as a fash, the beau
tiful Persian put the helm hard Town.
The sloop swung wildly up into the wind
just as the great broadax was about to
descend. There was a crash, as of an
avalance, and over the sloop's weather rail
came the huge wall Of water, dashing
across the vessel and sweeping the fierce
Arab pirate, like a mere chip, far away to
leeward. One wild, despairing cry rang
above the din of the storm, and then the
wretch, rolling over and over, disappeared
under the boiling. kissing foam forever
more.
Skilfully righting the sloop by shifting
the helm, the girl kept the vessel before
the gale, which subsidized soon after. Then,
flashing the wheel amidships, she freed
Weston from the mast.
You nave saved my life he said CRATE
fully. 1T was well done"
Obtaining some canvas from the hold,
the lieutenant rugged a substitute sail.
which enabled him in a few hours to reach
the sloop-of-war.
On hearing his story. the captains wife.
who was abroad, was so interested In the
Persian girl that she proposed to take her
to live with her. But another claimant in
terposed. This vas Henry Weston, who
In a few weeks was united in matrimony.
by the sloop's chaplain, to the beautiful
Persian.
He had no reason to regret his choice.
A gentler, more loving, or attractive wife
never blessed a man with her sweet pres
ence.