The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-11-09
CHAPTER XVII
Continued

|
the island and capture the whole
| bunch?" suggested Bennett.
WED certainly lose couple OF
men in doing it," said Henninger,
| more collectedly. 81 wouldn't risk
| it. What are they doing on the
steamer, Hawke? You've got the
glasses.
They're lowering another boat.'
| Hawke cried. -Four six, seven
men in her." he continued, peering
through the binoculars.
by thunder, they'll smother us
QUIT" exclaimed Bennett, and the
adventures looked at one another
for a moment in silence.
THAT boat mustn't land" said
Henninger. Set your sight for 500
yards. and don't fire until | give the
word; then pump it in as fast as
you can. Be sure to hit the boat, if
nothing else"
The second boat had left the
steamer and was being rowed
toward the island at racing pace,
veering to the west, to make the
same landing place as the other.
Henninger, struck by sudden
thought, turned to the skipper.
"Abdullah, can any of your men
shoot? Bring up three of the best
of them and give them rifles. Take
one yourself. We must put that
boat out of business before she
touches the shore"
The refs went below and brought
up three Arabs, who grinned as
they received the rifles, evidently
delighted at the honor. The boat
was drawing nearer, still pulling
to the west, and the party ashore
began to fire more rapidly to cover
the landing.
''Never mind them said Hen
ninger. Aim at the Doat. Now"
The six Mausers went off like a
single shot, and the arabs poured
in their fire a second later. There
was instant confusion in the boat,
which was just passing through the
reef; an oar went up in the air,
and white streak showed on her
bow. AS fast as the rifles could be
discharged the dhow's company
fired, thrusting fresh clips into the
magazines when they were empty.
The cartridge cases ratified out
upon the deck, and the rank smell
ing gas from the smOkeless powder
drifted back chokingly.
allah. Allah" screamed the
excited Arabs, as they manipulated
their weapons, shooting wildly in
the direction of the enemy. But
the bullets We're coming fast from
the shore. Elliott again heard
strange sharp sounds whispering
past his face. A greater splinter
flew up from the rail. and suddenly
Sullivan stood up jerkily on the
deck.
Lie down." Henninger howled
at him, and the adventurer col
lapsed. The front of his shirt was
covered with bright red blood. Ell
lott sprang to his side, dropping
his rifle.
"Sullivans HIT" he shouted.
Never mind him!" roared Hen
ninger. Let him alone, you fool
Keep up the fire"
"I'll look after him. Go back to
your place. said Margaret, creeping
up beside the fallen man.
Get under cover YOURSELF" cried
Elliott, furiously. "You can't dc
anything. Why aren't you below?'
But the concentrated, rapid fire
had already done it's work. The
boat had drifted upon reef, per
forated undoubtedly in a doZer
places. She capsized with sudder
lunge upon the rocks, and her crew
went into the water, where a few
swimming heads presently reap
peared.
Don't fire at Them" said Hen
ringer, grimly contemplating thu
swimmers. ''They can't hurt us
they've lost their rifles. How's Sui
livan?"
Margaret turned up a pale, fright
ened face, with eyes that were full
of tears. "I-don't know" she fal
tered.
Sullivans eyes were open, Blu
his face was already pale, and h
lay perfectly motionless on tn
deck. Henninger ripped open hi
shirt. wiped the blood from tn
wound in the chest and felt hi
wrist
"Shot through the heart" h
said, laying the arm down YER
gently. No one spoke; they al
gazed silently at the whitening
face. A bullet. fired from the is
and, ripped through the sail an
plunged viciously into the bu
wark
Elliott, you and Bennett carr
him below" commanded Henninge
harshly. mo time for mournin
now. Miss Laurie, you go belo'
and stay there. Don't bunch togetf
er like that, the rest of you. w
can't afford to lose any more men.
But for a few minutes the me
ashore ceased their fire. When K
lott came on deck again the smok
had blown clear.
Henninger took the glass an
carefully scrutinized the steame
and then turned his gaze upon tn
island.
II don't know what they're u
to-" he said with dissatisfaction.
can't see "a hair of them Eltht
They're lying mighty close or els
they've slipped around the hill an