Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1906-12-15
CHAPTER xvI1I.-(ContInued.)

CHAPTER XVIII.-( Continued.)
l do not know how we lived through
that first furious hour. Isaac Treherns
made no second mistake, but crouched
at the tiller, tricking The succession OF
great seas that swung upon us out of the
throbblng backness. Stung by passing
haistorms, drenched to the skin, and ach-
ing with cold, l toiled with tin panni-
kin, baling, baling 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 slit 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 1 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 lessening of the wind
and falling sea. Yet there had been
an angry menace In the brilliant colors
that lit the eastern sky, and l stared
eagerly over the muddy green of the hur-
rying surges. Indeed, l was the first
to see steamers smudge of smoke on
tne 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, if you be-, so
minded. The weather 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"
"Bain't no desartion, sir. Me and
Jake can take her whoam; and, to tell
e the truth, her'll ride the lighter for
the want of himl''
He pointed to where Marnac sat
crouching under an oisSin 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 90
grlnning at me, you wicked-minded old
toad?' cried Isaac. "Twas only through
special merces 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 coloring of SCOT and rusty
iron. She answered our signals with a
melancholy toot and stood towards us.
Graden, who had been watching her ap-
proach at my side, turned and walked
aft.
Il have already dropped your revolver
overheard, Professor Marnac," he said
but 1 must trouble you to hand me your
pocket-book. Money, you know is often
the most valuable of weapons"
The professor obeyed with gentl,
cluck of amusement
Il trust, Sir Henry, that the notes
are not damaged" he said in the low
musical tones with which l was SO IA
miliar. Indeed, l was assured that thu
case was waterproof"
Now, your loose gold, If you please
Here 1t Is, Sir Henry, with my watcf
and chain Observe that my pockets
are now completely empty. All, Mr.. Har
land, forgive me if l did not notice yor
before. fear that these nautical adven
lures will interrupt your course o.
studies. Did you hear whom the uni
versity have appointed in my stead?
should be sorry if my students, amongs
whom always held you to be the mos
studious, If not the most able, should b,
long without a lecturer-like sheep tina
have lost their shepherd, Mr.. Harland.
/ turned from him with feeling O
nausea. Mad or sane, he had done sucl
deeds as placed him beyond the inter
course Of humanity.
The steamer was close upon us now
and as she came rolling down the heav
Of the swell we were hailed from tn
bridge in tongue that was strange tt
me. Before we could reply, seaman
had sprung to the bulwarks and sent tn
coils of n line spinning over u.s. Thi
Isaac made fast, allowing fair space t
intervene between his little craft an
the rusty metal fabric that towere
above us.
Goodbye, Isaac" said Graden, shak
Ing the little Cornishman warmly b
the hand. II will see to your check tn
moment l get to London"
"Doant e mention it, Eur. wa
right proud to take e. Nor do e troubl
about we uns. Jake and l will be max
ing Polleven by midnight at latest
please be-"
CHAPTER XIX.
1t was an anxious scramble-they ha
to swing out a chair for Marnac-but til
trawler was as handy as a row-boat. an
at last the three of us stood on the dec