Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-24
CHAPTER XIII-Continued.


Two mines protected the front Of the
Kansas. and several canoes had passed
them. Indeed, Courtenay soon found that
some of the assailants were already
screened by the ships bows. but the
larger number were clustered tmckly
round Tollemache's Internal machines. 1t
was well that cool-headed sailor was
called on to deal with this emergency.
The captain of the Kansas even smiled
as he appreciated the full meaning of the
trick which his adversaries had tried to
play on him. and the man who smiles In
the face of danger Is one to be depended
on.
The six cords were numbered. He
dropped No .. which he was holding. and
seized Nos and 3. He drew them in.
hand over hand. as rapidly as posi- Bile,
hut careful not to sacrifice a smooth ten
sion to undue hurry. In few seconds
two deafenng reports split the air. the
glass front of the charthouse shook.
pieces of the broken panes ratified on the
floor several scraps of iron, bolts. nuts
and heavy nails fell on the decks and
patches and a tremendous hubbub Of
wells came from the main body or In
dams. A couple of heavily charged dyna-
mite bombs had burst In their midst
dealing death and destruction over a wide
area. Several canoes near the floating
platforms were torn asunder and sank.
while men were killed or wounded out OF
all proportion to the number of craft dis
abled.
Courtenay at once picked up the govern
ing cord of the mine which he was about
to fire in the first instance. He felt that
the Alaculof fotilla would act in future
on the "once bitten twice shy" principle
where those innocent-looking little poles
showed above sea level, and he must
strike fierce blows while the opportunity
served. The nine canoes on the south
were not clustered around the bomb IN
the same manner as the others. but they
were near enough to sustain heavy loss.
and their affrighted crews had ceased to
ply their paddles. So he fired that shell
also. and had the satisfaction of seeing
two more Of the frail craft capsize
He heard the crash of bullets against
the ships sides: volley of stones
smashed several more panes of stout
glass: many arrows were imbedded In the
woodwork: but he calmly pulled another
cord and blew a single loud blast on the
siren. That was the agreed signal to
warn those below that they must expect
to be attacked from the fore part of the
vessel. His shotgun was lying on the
table. He took ii up and faced forward
again; several canoes were scurrying past
and away from the ship as fast as the
current and many arms could propel
them. He fired both barrels at those
within range on the port side. He re-
volver shots told him that Tollemache
and the Chilean were busy.
But the Indians were demoralized by the
complete failure of their scheme. They
had ceased firing and stone singing; they
were flying for their lives. Courtenay
wheeled round on Suarez.
Now he cried. pointing to a speaking
trumpet. Suarez ran out on deck. put the
megaphone to his mouth. and roared
after the discounted enemy threat of
worse things in store If they dared to
come near the ship again. AS he used the
Alaculof language. the sounds he uttered
nay had ever heard from a human throat
"a compound of hoarse, cultural vowels
and consonantS ending in series of
clicks-and the stentorian power of his
lungs must have amazed the Indians.
Courtenay saw that the two fleets were |
combining forces about five hundred yards |
TO westward. They were close inshore. |
but none of the savages landed. nor did
they head for the more remote Otter
creek. AS he was anxious to keep them
on the run. he resolved to try the siren
again. He judged rightly. as it trans
pired. that they would fear the below of
the fog horn even more than the flying
missiles which had dealt death and seri-
Gus wounds so laviShly.
He knew sufficient Spanish. eked out by
signs. to bid Suarez hold the siren cord
taut for minute. While the Kansas was
still trumpeting forth her loud blare of
panion. Mr.. Boyle and the tiny garrison
of the port promenade deck received him
5ubilantly: they had escaped without
bruise and. owing to their positions. were
able to witness the Indians retreat.
He raced across to starboard, and
found that by unfortunate mischance, a
Chilean fireman in Tollemache's detach-
ment had been shot through the brain.
The poor fellow was prone on the deck:
II was only too evident that doctors
skill could avail him -naught. so Tolle-
mache had decided that he should not be
taken below. The incident marred an
easily won victory. Courtenay was as
sured in his own mind that none of the
men had been injured. seeing that he and
Suarez. who occupied the most danger
Gus position. were untouched. This ia
tality was mere blunder Of fate, and it
grieved him sorely.
Even while he bent reverently over the
unlucky Chilean's body, the deafening vi
bration of the fog horn ceased. and he
heard Elsie's glad cry from the saloon:
"Oh. my. here comes Joey, That means
that Capt. Courtenay has left the bridge"
The girls joyous exclamation. her pre-
Jude TO a paean of thanks that the dread
full necessary Staying of men had ceased,
was strange commentary on the shat
tered form stretched at the commanders
feet. Among the small company on board
II had been decreed that one. at least
after surviving so many perils, should
never see home and kin again.
should be carried to the poop to await
sailors burial; then he turned. and with
less sprightly step descended the main
companion. In the saloon he found Elsie
and Christohal watching the stairs ex-
pectantly. The girl had the dog in her
arms. and Courtenay perceived, for the
FIRST time. that Joeys off fore paw had
been cut by the broken glass which lit
tered the floor of the charthouse
Then the attack has really failed?"
was Elsies greeting. II saw some of the
canoes turn and scurry away. That was
The first good sign. And then Joey came"
You saw them?" repeated Courtenay
his bent brows emphasizing the question
Yes. was looking through one of the
ports. Was that wrong?'
(which one?'
She pointed. That ONE said she.
wondering that he had never smile for
her.
Then you must obey orders more faith
fully next time. man was shot dead