The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-01-31

By AdeIine Knapp
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

TO up-anchOr and retire. Still Keeping
S close as she could get TO the
schooner, the fire-tug turned and start
ed in pursuit. The gasoIine-launcr
followed at a safe distance, the cap
tain hoping to be of use in some way
The tide was running out now, but
every seaman in the harbor knew well
that long before the blazing peril could
gain the sea the incoming tide would
bring her back.
Slowly the Aloha swept across the
karbor. BY this time the oil was
spreading out on the surface of the
water, and she sailed. a flaming ship
upon a sea of flame. a vast, terrible.
glorious menace. Great masses of
black smoke rolled up from her, OBJ
securing the sea, and a horrible yellow
light enveloped the scene.
Still at her heels, doggedly follow
ing, keeping between her and the town,
the fire-tug directed her kissing bat
teries against the blazing vessel.
Along the side of the tug three or
four sailors ranged, with loaded lines,
which they flung again and again, in
hope to make one fast; but all fell
short, and the small craft could ap-
proach no nearer to that blistering
furnace.
Hallway across the harbor the
schooner swerved and turned upon an
other tack. which brought her with
bow pointed toward a drifting object
dead ahead. A vast murmur of pity
went up on shore as the people saw
what that floating thing was.
When the explosion took place,
lierht oIa hot cid NIT 4,
cattle was on it's way to the tramp
steamer. Promptly, at the first sound
of danger. the lightermen had dropped
everything, to plunge overheard and
swim To shore. The abandoned lighter
swung into the tide, and there in the
track of the burning vessel she float
ed, nine steers dashed by the horns
along each gunwale, awaiting destruc-
ton.
The tug lay on the other side of the
fire-ship now, where the water was
clearer of burning oil. The schooner
was moving faster than the lighter
There was no escape for the cattle.
Luke, in his swimming-trunks, had
long ago crossed the river at its
mouth, and gained the farther shore of
the bay. At the cry of those on the
wharf he turned from the Aloha. and
for the first time saw the lighter. He
could hear, too, what the people far
Their away were mercifully spared, the
agonized means and bellowings of the
helpless. terrified cattle, and the sound
filled him with pity
A thrill of indignation went through
him at thought of the cowardly light
ermen, Portuguese and Kanakas, who
had abandoned the creatures without
at least cutting them loose. They
might have done that. Even now, ly-
ing on one of the thwarts, Luke could
see the big knife always kept at hand
for emergencies.
At the sight thought came to him
which made him fairly jump with
fright. No, he would not dare do
that! He might not get away in time.
He might be caught among the cattle.
dozen dangerous possibilities passed
through his mind. and he turned away
AS he did so he caught a glimpse OF
the bright new flag floating over the
wharf The sight made him pause
again, and remember Bailey's proud
boast. If Americans wanted to do
only things worth while, why, he was
an American, and this was worth
while.
Quick as a flash he was in the wa
ter, swimming out to the lighter.
Avoiding the sides, with their rows of
outthrust hoofs. he grasped the stern
and pulled himself into the boat. The
scorching breath from the fire-ship
reached him here. There was no time
to lose.
oh, xX-ea1l n
eyes rolled up at him; the cattle were
half-crazy with fright and helpless
rage The people on shore had now
seen the boy. and cheer after cheer
rang out: but he did not heed them
Gasping with the heat, he crept the
length of the boat. cutting first on one
side. then on the other, working from
the ends. freeing last those in the MID
ole of each line. One after another
they dropped, like apples cut from a
tree. the last one nearly upsetting the
boat and the whole company, snort
ing madly, swan off toward Cocoa
nut Island With a last look at the
fire-ship, Luke, too. plunged overheard.
The Aloha was fearfully near now
He came up close beside wild-eyed
red steer that was plunging madly
shOreward The creature halt-turneo
upon him. and Luke dived again.
swimming under water. his eyes wide
open. after the Hawaiian fashloh.
Looking across beneath one arm, lie
could distinctly see the shadowy bulk
of the fire-ship below wateriine. He
even noted, forward, hanging nearly 10
the floor Of the harbor, some fathorns
Of anchor-chain. just as it had parted
m LET her go forth on her fiery cruise.
It was Bailey Farnham's father VINO
seized upon him a few moments later
and shook his hand. calling him
brave little American. Others came
about him with words of praise.
But there was little heart in the
throng 20 think even of brave deeds
The Aloha had ridden out beyond the
island but the swing of the turning
tide after holding her almost station
ary for a few moments. now began
driving her across the harbor entrance.
,,on1 tho flaming ter