The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-02-24
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| ed He looked at his own vessel, tn,
schooner that he and the captain haC
longed for and worked for and petite
I like a baby. Then he set his teeth ano
began rowing.
| The crackle of burning timber wa
! plain as he scrambled over the Divine
Bellies rail. The flames were pouring
up from under the covering Of the
| main hatch, and the smoke was roll
Ing thick from the cabin companion
/ He would have given anything for an
ak, but the only one on board was by
! the wood box in the galley below. He
caught up the boat hook that was in its
rack by the bulwark and ran to the
hatch.
/ He put the point of the hook under
! the heavy cover and began prying the
J latter loose. 1t gave a little, slipped
back and then pulled over the cleats.
/ With the hook he got a firm grip upon
| its edge and turned it over with a
clatter. The smoke belched up in a
cloud, but as it cleared he fell upon his
knees and peered below.
The fire was almost amidships.
an-,ng some loose planks and an emp
ty tar barrel. These were burning
fiercely, and the beams of the deck
were blazing above them. But the
dynamite chest was farther forward,
beyond the bulkhead, which was only
beginning to burn, and he could see
there was just chance of reaching
it If he was quick. With the dyna-
mite once out of the way help from
the shore might save the schooner. He
drew a long breath and put his hands
on the edges of the hatch.
Then he heard a faint voice calling
for help.
He thought for a moment that he
must be going crazy, but the voice
called again. "Helpr' it walled. Some
boo J helpr'
Bradley jumped to his feet and ran
aft. The door at the head of the cabin
stairs had been left open when the
partners went home the previous night,
but Bradley had pulled the sliding
hatch shut. Now the hatch was pushed
back as far as it would go, and the
door was shut tight.
"who is it?'' shouted Bradley, stoop-
ing to the opening between the top of
the door and the hatch. The dense
smoke In his face made him cough.
Help" the voice came up through
the smoke. Its me-Hammondr'
The Junior partner started back.
Hammond he repeated. 'Ham-
mond?" And then in changed voice,
"What are you doing aboard here?"
81 came after my things. I forgot
about the spring lock. Quick! Oh,
quickv'
"Came after your things! You lie.
You came to set this firev'
There was no reply for a moment,
only a gasping, choking sound in the
smoke. Then the voice begar again.
LET me outv' it screamed. I'm dy-
ing, Brad Nickerson, you want to
Oh, please, Brad! For Gods sake,
pleasew
Bradley stood upright and looked
about him. His beloved schooner or
the sneaking enemy who had set her
on fire and who was responsible for
all his troubles-which? To force that
cabin door meant that the flames III
the hold would have time to burn
through the bulkhead and then. He
heaved long sigh, and with that sigh
he said goodby to the Diving Belle. /
He turned and rushed to the main
hatch.
The prisoner in the cabin heard him
go and screamed choking curses after
him. But Bradley had gone only to
get the boat hook. He came back with
it and began the attack upon the door,
rThot hIJil Of wood
almost new. and the captains lock was
new also. The boat hook only tore off
splinters and chips. Finally the hook
broke just where the iron Joined the !
handle.
Sam had ceased to yell and beg his |
rescuer to hurry. His cries changed to |
coughs and strangling means. Then |
he was silent altogether. Bradley, des- |
perate, threw down the broken boat /
hook and ran about the deck hunting. +
by the light of the fire. for something t
heavy, something that would break .
that lock. He picked up the stout
slung over the vessels fore quarter +
when they hoisted heavy chains on |
board.
1t was SO clumsy that he could scarce
ly carry it. but he stepped back by the /
wheel to get a start and, running for
ward, threw it against the door. The
double oak panels cracked lengthwise.
Three times he hurled the battering
ram, with his own weight behind it.
AT the fourth attempt the door burst
inward and he fell on his face.
SAM he shouted. Sam, come on
But Hammond did not answer. Shut
ting his eyes and holding his breath.
Bradley descended the cabin stairs.
Hammond was lying unconscious at
their foot. The junior partner drag
yed him TO the deck and away from
he smoke. Then he shook and pound
I'd him savagely. After a bit the fell
ow opened his eyes and gasped.
Then Bradley left him and ran to
he main hatch. One glance showed
him that the schooner was doomed and
hat the dynamite might explode at
my moment. The thin bulkhead was
/ wall of dame and was shaking like