Evening star., 1907-11-09
CHAPTER v-continued.

intently watching the set of the sea- so
as to determine the best time for lower
ing a boat. when, amid the sustained
shrek of the wind and the lashing OF the
spray he heard sounds which told him
that the forward port nfeboat was being
swung outward on the davtts. The hur-
rtcans deck was a mass OF confused fig
ures The two boats to starboard, life
boat and the jolly boat, had been carried
across the deck in readiness to take the
places o. the port lifeboats. A landsman
might think that medley reigned supreme,
but It was not so Sailor like work was
proceeding with the utmost speed and
system. when an accident happened For
some reason never ascertained, though II
was believed that the men in the leaolns
boat were too anxious to clear the falls
and failed to take the proper precautions,
the heavy craft pitched stern foremost
into the sea She sank like stone. ana
with her went a number OF Chileans; tnelr
despairing yells coming up from the
churning froth seemed to be sigma 1or
the demoniac passions latent In the crew
10 burst forth again. this time In con-
suming blaze that would not be stayed
Each man fought blindly for hlmsel1'
needless now of all restrictions. Inc
knowledge Of this latest disaster spreaa q
with amazing rapidity. Up from the
saloon came rush % stewards and
others. Overborne In the panic-str1cken
fight. Gray. Tollemache. Chrtstooai. the
French count and the head steward, not
knowing what new catastrophe threat
ened. brought Mr. Somervflle and the al
most inaninate women with tnem' iAaH
ing to their fate those who, like Bowie
we're unable to move. Some of the mob
rushed up the bridge companion: others
made for the after ladders. used only by
sailors: ot hers. again. swung themselves
to the spar deck by the rails and awning
reach the scene. both the second and
third officers were stabbed. this time
nrortslly. He saw one OF the infuriatHo
rutineers heave the third ofhcer's BODY
oyerboard-a Anal outttance for some IN
fury previously received
He emitted his revolver into the tum-
bling mass of men but he was swept
aside bv the fresh gang from the saloon.
and perhans owed his escape from instant
death by falling on the slippery deck. He
was up again shouting. entreatinK. str1k-
ing right and left. but he felt bitterly that
his efforts now were o" no avail. and he
bethougtt him that there was only on@
resourca left These frenzied wretches
would destroy themselves and all others
so II he would save even a rev OF the
lives intrusted to his care. at least one OF
the boats must be protected. The strus-
gle was fercest for the possession OF tho
two lfeboats. BY deternn ned e1ort the
Jolly boat might he secured.
So he ran to obtain help from the few
he could trust from the tiny company OF
white men he had left in the saloon he
met them. a forlorn procession coming 10
to tho bridge. The all-oowar' 'ul instinct
of self-preservation. aided. no doubt. by
the stinRing drenching showers OF soray.
had gone far toward terminating lsobel
and her maid while Mrs SomerI]le.
woman advanced in years. was able u
walk. though benumbed with the sud- N
cold. Courtenay unlocked the door of his
cabin. Elsie her face pale and tear
stained but outwardly composed. was vet
standing near the table. and the dog
sprang from her arms the moment his
master appeared
Thank Cod" she said: all OF nutter
now that the solitary waiting for death
which came not was ended. II feared l
should never see you again. Is the ship
LOST"
The WILD souehins OF the wind rendered
her words indistinct. And the captain
had no timA for explanations.
I'm here,'. he shouted to GRAY. who had
helped Isobel to enter the chart room. the
first refuge available on this exposed
deck.
Isobel was unwilling to face the storm
again. The men took their cue from his
imperative tone. Gray clasped 1sooel in
his arms and lifted her bodily through the
doorway The others followed his exam
ple. Soon the three women were with
Elsie In the cabin. Isobel, by sheer reac-
ton rom her previous hysteria. was
sullen now and needless of all cons1dera-
tions saw, her own misery. When she set
eyes on Elsie she snapped out:
You here!
Yes. Cant. Courtenay brought me to
his cabin after our return from the fore
saloon.
"oh. did he? And he left me with those
devils beneath!
They both heard Courtenay's hurried
order:
Leave the ladies here until we can
come for them. Follow me- at once
The door slammed behind the men. Even
the missionary was fired to action by
somervilie to chair. Then she turned to
| Isobel and said gently:
| 1T is a slight thing to discuss when any
moment NAV be our last. but the captain
placed me here while he went to bring
| you. He had gone only rev seconos
| when the ship struck.
| The crest of wave combed over the
upper works and pounded the SOHO oeams
! and p,anks Of the cabin until they
! creaked The ship lifted somewhat as the
: "Oh, this is awful shrieked Isobel. IT
I must die. let me die quickly. shall go
mad"
Cain yourself dear. There must be
| an end OF our suffer1ngs soon' Fernaps
we may escape even yet.
Yes I know. II any one is saved II
will be you. You let me down there to
take my chance among those fends. You
| have been here hours. with your precious
CAPTAIN. no doubt Were he looking after
his ship this might not have happened
Why did I ever come on this
wretched vessel? And with you VINO ran
away from Ventana I should have beer
warned by It, When he could work me nc
he n. VOL
have taken a hne vengeance. Pedro Ven
tana. Nav you be denied mercy as I am
| danied It now, . . Go away! II you
touch me I shall strike YOU. I hate you!
7 tell YOU 7 am losing my senses. Do you
wish me to tear your face With my natls?'
Elsie. who would have soothed her dis
trausht friend with a loving hand. drew
hack in real fear that she was confronted
nv q maniac. The utter outrageousness O.
this new infection brought tears to hei
ever. Yet she choked back her grief fol
the sake O. the others.
"Isobel. darling. please try to contro
Yourself" she pleaded. Don't say suct
cruel things to me. You cannot NEAR
them I would do anything to serve you
am more sorry for you than for myself
have little to bind me to this lie
whereas you have everything. Indeed. IN
deed. I have not been away from y't
man: minutes
Another heavy sea pitched on hoard
The Kansas trenbled and listed suddenly
Isobel screamed shr.lly. and burst into
storm of dry-eyed sobs. Her mo6t
changed instantly into one of abject sub
mission She eprang toward Elsie witt