Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-12-14

nHAPTER xv1II-lCnntinnedN

do not know how we lived through
that first furious hour. Isaac Treherne
made no second mistake, but crouched
at the tiiler, tricking the succession of
great seas that swung upon us out of the
throbbing blackness. Stung by passing
hailstorms, 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? l
did not know, nor did l 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 1t came a lessening of the wind
aad a 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, | was the first
to see a steamers smudge of smoke on
the 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
Poleven."
Il 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"
"Baint 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 him!
He pointed to where Marnac sat
crouching under an oilslzin coat. Save for
occasional shivers, the old man seemed
to be no worse for his handshake with
Denth. He received the sailors remark
with benevolent smile. "Doan't e go
grinning at me, you Undetermined old
toad!' cried Isaac. "Twas only through
special mercies that Providence forgot
you was on board. Wed 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 loot 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 | must trouble you to hand me your
pocket-book. Money, you know is often
the most valuable of weapons"
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 the
case was waterproof"
Now, your loose gold, If you please"
Here 1t is, Sir Henry, with my watch
and chain. Observe that my pockets
are now completely empty. All, Mr.. Har-
land, forgive me if l did not notice you
before. l fear that these nautical adven-
lures will interrupt your course of
studies. Did you hear whom the uni
versity have appointed in my steadP l
should be sorry if my students, amongst
whom | always held you to be the most
Rtudious, if not the most able, should be
long without a lectprer-like sheep that
have lost their shepherd. Mr. Harland."
l turned from him with a feeling Of
nausea. Mad or sane, he had done such
deeds as placed him beyond the inter
course of humanity.
The steamer was close upon us now.
and as she came rolling down the heave
of the swell we were hailed from the
bridge in a tongue that was strange TO
me, Before we could reply, seaman
had sprung to the bulwarks aud sent the
coils of line spinning over us. This
Isaac made fast, allowing fair space to
Intervene between his little craft and
the rusty metal fabric that lowered
above us.
Goodbye. Isaac" said Graden. shak-
ing the little Cornishman warmly by
the hand. Il will see to your check the
moment l get to London"
"Doan't e mention it, EUR. l was
right proud to take e. Nor do e trouble
about we ans. Jake and l will be max
ing Polleven by midnight at latest
please be"