Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-07-02
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CHAPTER XIII.


~ HRISTMAS day arrived and
maintained Its kindly repute
~ by finding affairs on board the
Kansas changed for the better
Mr.. Boyle was 50 far recovered that
he could walk. He even took command
OF two watches In the twenty-fou
hours, but was forbidden to exert him
self lest the wound In his back SHOULD,
reopen. Several injured sailors and fire
men were convalescent. The two most
serious cases were out OF danger
Frnscuelo, hardy as weed. dared thu
risk OF using his damaged leg and sur
vived. though his progress along the
deck was painful. Nevertheless on
Christmas morning he presented him
self before the captain and asked leave
to abandon his present quarters. He
felt lonely In the forecastle and wish
ed to berth with the other Chileans In
the neighborhood OF the salon. Al
though his luck was bnd In some re
spects, the coal trimmer was endowed
with the nine lives OF cat, for there
could be no manner OF doubt that he
dragged himself aft just in time to
avoid being killed.
Yet never was day less ominous In
appearance. The breezy, sunlit morn
ing brought no hint OF coming tragedy
The fine weather which had prevailed
since the Kansas drifted into the estu
airy seemed to become more settled us
the month wore. Suarez said 1t was
unprecedented.
But the miner from Argentina never
wavered in his belief that the Indians
would soon muster every adult for m
assault on the ship. The elements
might waver, but not the hate Of the
savage. From the rising of the sun to
the going down thereof Suarez was
ever on the alert
Every other person on the ship held the
opinion that the Alaculofs would attack
by night IL they were not afraid to al
tempt the enterprise ut ALL SO Suare2
slept soundly while his companions
were on the qui ylve for call to repel
.boarders. Were 1t not for the strain
induced by the silent menace OF their
savage neighbors the small company
suffered no i'll from their prolonged
stay in this peaceful anchorage. There
was work in plenty for all hands.
Walker was REINFORCED by trio Of
firemen whose technical knowledge.
slight as 1t was, proved useful when
he began to fit and connect the dis
abled machinery. For the rest. the
promenade deck was walled with
strong canvas, while Courtenay and
Tollemache gave undivided attention
to the fashioning of several other float
ing bombs which could be exploded
from the ship. They also provided
flexible steam pipes In places where q
rush might be made II the Indians once
secured footing on the deck, fore or
aft. Steam was kept up constantly In
the donkey boiler not alone for tile
electric light and the daily working Of
the pumps, as the Kansas had not
blundered over the shoal without
straining some Of her plates, but for
use against the naked bodies Of their
possible assailants.
When day followed day without any
sign of hostility not man on board
save Suarez and Tollemache paid
much real heed to the shoreward peril.
Walker, with his hammers and cold
chisels, screw jacks and wrenches. was
the center Of interest And Walkers
swarthy visage wore permanent grin,
which presaged we'll for the fulfillment
Of his promise.
Elsie devoted herself to the hospital.
She was thus brought more in contact
with Christobal than with any of the
others. Nor did he make this close &C.
quaintance irksome to her. Always
suave and charming in manner, he
exerted himself to be entertaining.
Though she knew full we'll that II the
Kansas. reached the open sea again
he would ask her to marry him, he
was evidently content to deny himself
the privileges of courtship until prop
er time and season.
She was far too wise to appear to
avoid Courtenay. Indeed, she was stu
diously agreeable to him when they
met. She adopted the safe role Of
good fellowship, flattering herself that
her own folly would shrink to nothing
ness under the hourly castigation thus
inflicted.
After the midday meal on Christmas
day-a sumptuous repast. for the due
preparation OF which Elsie had come
to the Chilean cooks assistance in the
matter Of the. plum .pydding--SQAEez