The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-05-07

fought In new terror with those who
would urge them on. Gray, bleeding
from q cut across the forehead, knock
Cd down a man who brutally tore Iso-
bel out of his path. Tollemache, a
revolver in each hand. set his back
a1ainst the corner of the salon at
the foot of the stairs.
"Tm with you. captainw he yelled.
Courtenay saw that he had conquer
cd them for the instant. He raised his
hand.
Behave like men, he cried. You
can do no good by crowding the deck.
am going to the bridge to see If it is
possible to lower the boats. Each
boats crew will be mustered in turn,
passengers and men alike. If you are
edwards now you will throw away
what chance there is Of saving your
lives"
"A revolver barked twice somewhere
on deck. A bullet smashed one Of the
windows of the music room and lodged
in a panel behind Courtenay. They
all heard the reports, but the captain
promptly turned the incident to ad-
vantage.
.'You see we mean to maintain Or
der" he said. "Mr Malcolm, take
care that every one has a life belt.'
A sort Of cheer came from the men.
Who could fail to believe in a leader
go. cool and resourceful? He ran out
into the darkness to discover the cause
Of the shooting. A number Of sailors
and fremen were striving to launch a
boat. There was a struggle going on.
he could not distinguish friend from
foe in the melee, but he threw him
self into it fearlessly.
"You foolsv' he shouted. You may
die soon enough without killing each
other. Make way there! All, would
your He caught the CLEAN Of an up
lifted knife and struck savagely at the
face Of the man who would have used
It The butt of the revolver caught the
sailor on the temple. He went down
like a stone. Courtenay stumbled over
another PROSTATE body. 1t was Mr.
Boyle striving to rise. Their eyes met
In the gloom. Courtenay stopped and
swung the other clear of the fight, for
the second and third officers were
using their fists. and Walker even in
the hurry of his ascent from the stoke
hold had not let 60 of a spanner. The
yells and curses, the tramplings Of
dim forms swaying in the fight. the
roaring Of the gale and the incessant
crash of heavy spray made up ghast-
ly pandemonium. 1t was an orgy Of
terror, of wild abandon. Of hopeless
striving on the edge Of the pit, stupid
madness at the best. as the ships life
boats on the port side were on the spar
deavoring to lower dingey. Yet Cour-
tenay saw that discipline was regain
ing Its influence. He thought to in
spire confidence and stop useless saw
agery by a sharp command.
"All hands follow me to starboardw
The struggle ceased instantly. The
captains order seemed to imply some
new. scheme. Men who a moment ago
would have killed any one who sought
to restrain them from clearing the
boats falls now raced pellmell after
their officers. No heed was paid to
those who lay on the deck wounded or
insensible Herein alone did these Chill
can sailors differ from wolves. and
wolves have the excuse of fierce hun
ger when they devour their disabled
fellows
Still carrying Boyle, Courtenay led
the confused horde through a gang
way to the higher side Of the deck.
Swing those boats back to the spar
deckw he said. Get falls and tackle
ready to lift them to port. Don't lose
your heads, men. You will all be clear
Of the ship in ten minutes if you do as
you are told"
Two officers and a quartermaster
sprapg forward. In an incredibly short
space of time the crew were working
with redoubled frenzy. but under con-
troll and with common object. For
an instant Courtenay was free to at
tend to his chief officer. He bore him
to the lighted salon companion. Boyle
was deathly pale under the tan Of his
skin. The captain saw that his own
left hand where it clasped the other
round the waist was covered with
blood
Below therev' he cried Bring two
men here, Mr.. Malcolm"
When the chief steward came he
gave directions that Mr.. Boyle should
b taken to the salon and DR.. Chris
tobal summoned.
Send some one you can trust to re
turn" he continued. "Go then to the
lee Of the promenade deck. You will
dnd others there"
He did not stop to ask himself il
solicitude for the unfortunates wound
Cd in the fight were Of any avail. His
mind ,was clear, the habit of. COM
nand strong in him. Not until the sea
claimed him would he cease to rule.
The clank of pulleys, the cries Of the
sailors heaving at the ropes, told him
that the crew were at work. At last
he was free to 60 to the bridge.
he found the quartermaster in the
chart house on his knees. When the
ship struck, the officer of the watch
had been thrown headlong to port
Recovering his feet before a tumbline
sea could fling him overheard, he haul
Cd himself out Of danger just in time
to take part in the fray on deck. He