Evening star., 1907-11-04
CHAPTER II-Continued.

Isobel was petulant, and perhaps lit
tie frightened. She had not yet reached
that stage of confidence familiar to all
who cross the open seas. The first period
OF gale is terrifying. Later there comes
an Indifference born of supreme trust in
the ship. The steady onward thrust of
the engines-the unwavering path across
the raging vortex of tumbling gray
waters - the orderly way in which the
members of the crew follow their duties
these are quietly persistent factors in the
gradual soothing of the nerves. Many a
timid passenger, after lying awake
through a night of terror. has gone to
deck overhead. Not even Spartan sailor
would begin 10 wash woodwork If the
ship were sinking.
'All ladies like to see an officer in the
saloon during a storm commented
Christobal. Il plead guilty to weakness
III that direction myself. though I know
he is much better employed on the
bridge
THE captain cannot be on the bridge
always" said Isobel.
He is seldom far from 1t In bad
weather If he is faithful to his trust.
And l fancy we would all admit that
Capt. Courtenay-"
A curious shock. sharper and altogether
more penetrating than the Thor's ham
mer blow of a huge wave, sounded loud
and menacing In their ears. The ship
trembled violently. and then became
traveller on board knew that the engines
had stopped They felt long lurch TO
port when the next sea climbed over the
bows: at once the Kansas rlghted her-
self and rode on even keel while the
stress and turmoil of her fight against
ind nd acsa5 into a
tanned silence.
The half-caste stewards glanced at each
other and drew together In whispering
groups, but the chief steward, an Eng
lishman. who had turned to leave the
saloon. changed his mind and uttered a
low growl of command which sent his
subordinates' attention. II not their
thoughts, back to their work. In the
strained hush the running along the deck
of men in heavy sea-bootS was painfully
audible Water could be heard pouring
through the scuppers Steam was rushing
forth somewhere with vehement buster.
These sounds only accentuated the extra
ordinary truce in the fight of ship against
sea. The Kansas was stricken dumb, If
not dead.
Something has gone wrong" said Elsie
in a low voice.
DR.. Christobal nodded carelessly.
"a burst steam pipe, probably. Such
things will happen at times. We are hove
to FOR the moment.
He traded on the ignorance of his hear
ers. The chief steward heard his ex-
planation and looked at him fXedly
Christobal caught the glance.
Il suppose we shall lose an hour or so
now" he asked.
Yes. sir 1t will be all right by the
time you have finished dinner"
The meal drew to it's close without much
further talk The American engineer was
the first to rise, but the chief steward
whispered in his ear: he returned to the
table.
Say" he said calmly. I'VE can't quit
yet. The companion hatch is closed. We
must remain here a bit"
DO you mean that we battened
down." demanded Isobel shrilly. and her
face lost some of its beauty in an ashen
pallor.
Something of the sort Miss Barring
Anyway. we can't go on deck
Butt insist on being told what Is the
matter"
The American knew little of ships but
he knew a great deal about mines. and,
in mine, If accident happens, the
man in charge cannot desert his post to
give information to those who are anxious
for it. So he replied laconically:
Guess the captain will tell us all about
it after a while. Miss Barring"
"Que oiable! l feel like the rat in the
trap" said Count Edouard, suppressed
excitement rendering his English less
fluent.
At another time the phrase would have
sent a ripple Of amusement through that
CHEEKY company. Now, no one smiled
They knew too well what he meant to pay
heed to the mere form of his words. No
ped the trap, the point of view of the rat
was new to them.