Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-16
CHAPTER XII.

OF TWO WatcneS IN the CWenty-IouF
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.
Frascuelo, hardy as a weed dared the
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 fogecastle and wish
ed to berth with the other Chileans in
the neighborhood Of the salon. AL
though his luck was bad in some re-
spects, the coal trimmer was endowed
with the nine lives of a 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 as
the month wore. Suarez said it was
unprecedented.
But the miner from Argentina never
wayered in his belief that the Indians
would soon muster every adult for an
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 If they were not afraid to at
tempt the enterprise at all. So Suarez
slept soundly while his companions
were on the qui vive for a call to repel
boarders. Were it not for the strain
induced by the silent menace of their
savage neighbors the small company
suffered no Ill from their prolonged
stay in this peaceful anchorage. There
was work in plenty for all hands.
Walker was REINFORCED by a 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 n
rush might be made IL the Indians once
secured footing on the deck, fore or
aft. Steam was kept up constantly I'm
the donkey boiler not alone for the
electric light and the daily working OF
the pumps, as the Kansas had not
Numbered 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 a 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 fulfllment
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 ac-
quaintance irksome TO her. Always
suave and charming in manner. he
exerted himself TO be entertaining.
Though she knew full we'll that If the
Kansas reached the open sea again
he would ask her TO marry him. he
was evidently content TO deny himself
he privileges Of courtship until prop
r. time and season.
She was far too wise to appear 70 I
avoid Courtenay. Indeed. she was stu I
liOusly agreeable 10 him when they
net She adopted the safe role OF .
rood fellowship. 1attering herself that
Ter own folly would shrink to nothing .
less under the hourly castigation thus I
After the midday meal on Christmas
lay-a sump'uous repast. for the due
PREPARATION II which Elsie had come
. the Chilean cooks assistance I'm the .
natter Of the plum pudding-SuaTez
reported that 4 new column
I smoke was rising from GuanacO
I'LL. a crag dominating the eastern
ide Of the bay He was unable to at
ribute any special significance to the
ignal on that particular place. Dur
~ his Eve years with the AIacuIOf
-ibe he had never seen a FIRE lighted
here before That in itself was a fact
mister and alarming
Suarez had sufficient tact not 70 make
IFS statement publicly He tod Chris
Dial and the doctor passed On the in
ormati0n to the captain Both men
rent 60 the poop with their glasses and
arefuIiy examined the coast lire.
C0urtensy IVES the first to break an
ppressive silence. and his low pitched
olee announced stirring things
DO yOu see those canOes yoBderg-
. sail There were three under the
hes before S1arez discovered the
-noke o. GUsnzco- Now I fancy
an make out nearly q dozenL Though
lsy are MT launched. Their have been
u there for some purpose Would
~ mind going forward and asking
r. Bsyle o summon al hands On
1kT He knovs exactly what 70 do
e1embeT that regard yea and Mss
zxweu - no1coubasznts and expect