Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-05-14

rending Of plates, the tearing
asunder Of stanch steel ribs
and crossbeams, which should
sound the knell OF the ships last mo.
ments. But the Kansas seemed to be
In no hurry to fall in pieces. She
strained and groaned and shook VIC
lently when a wave pounded her. 9th.
erwise she lay there like a beaten
thing, oddly resembling the living but
almost unconscious men stretched on
the mattresses in the forward salon.
Courtenay did not experience the
least fear Of death. Emotion OF any
sort was already dead in him. He
found himself wondering IL an mex,
pectedly strong current setting to the
southeast had not upset his reckoning,
IL there were any broken limbs among
the occupants Of the salon. If Elsie
had been injured by being thrown
down into his cabin. He looked at his
watch. 1t was past II. In four hours
there would be dawn. Dawn, In as
many minutes he might see the day
that is everlasting. All, perhaps not
ven four minutes! The Kansas. with
a SILVER, lifted to the embrace of a
herself more comfortably, The deck
assumed an easier angle. Now it was
possible TO walk. There were no rocks
here, at any rate. Courtcnay at once
jumped to the conclusion that the pow
erful current whose existence he sus-
pnrfpl had nnt nif for itSnlf a dnon
water channel toward the land and the
ship had struck on the silt of its back
wash. Anyhow, the Kansas was still
living. The lights were all burning
steadily. He could detect the rhythmic
throb Of the donkey engine. He felt
it like the faint beat Of a pulse. In
her new position the ship presented
less of a solid wall to the onslaught Of
the sea The turnultuous waves began
to race past without breaking so fierce
ly. Had she started her plates? We're
the holds and engine room full of wa
ter? II so, Waller and his helpers
were already drowning beneath his
feet. And when next she moved the
vessel might slip away into h depths.
A mar rushed by, or tried to do so.
Courtenay recognized him as a leading
stoker who had temporary charge Of
the donkey boiler and seized him
wrathfully, his eyes ablaze.
$50 back" he roared.
'Senor. The ship Is lost"
$50 back and await my orders"
He could have ~strangled the fugitive
in his sudden rage. The fireman Ell
deavored to gasp his readiness to obey.
Courtenay relaxed his grip, and for n
time at least n member of the crew
stuck to his post, fearing the mad
captain more than death.
A mob OF stewards and kitchen
hands came in a torrent up the salon
stairs. Courtenay met them, a terri
flying figure, and thrust a revolver in
their faces.
Back" he shouted, cor some of you
will die hcrcr'
Even in their frenzy they believed
him. The foremost SUNK away AND
fought in a now terror with those who
would urge them on. Gray, bleeding
from q cut across the forehead, knock
cd down a man who brutally tore lSo
bel out Of his path. Tollemache, a
revolver in each hand. set his back
against the corner of the sailor a
the foot of the stairs.
I'm with you, captain he yelled.
Courtenay saw that he had conquer
ed them for the instant. He raised his
hand.
Behave like men, he cried. "You
can do no good by crowding the deck
an going to the bridge TO see II it Is
possible to lower the boats. Eact
boats crew will be mustered In turn
passengers and men alike. II you arr
towards 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 DON and lodged
in a panel behind Coartenay. 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