The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-06-18

erning cord OF the mime which he was
about to fire in the first instance. He
felt that the Alaculof hotilla would act
In future on the "once bitten twice
shy" principle where those innocent
looking little poles showed above sea
level, and he must strike fierce blows
while the opportunity served. The
nine canoes on the south were not clus-
tered around the bomb In the same
manner as the others. but they were
near enough to sustain heavy loss. and
their frightened crews had ceased to
ply their paddles. so he fred that shell
also and had the satisfaction Of seeing
two more Of the frail craft capsize.
He heard the crash Of bullets against
the ships sides. A volley Of stones
smashed several more panes Of stout
glass, many arrows were imbedded in
the woodwork, but he calmly pulled an
other cord and blew a single loud blast
on the siren. That was the agreed sig
nal to warn those below that they
must expect to be attacked from the
fore part Of the vessel. His shotgun
was lying on the table. He took it up
and faced forward again. Several
canoes were scurrying past and away
from the ship as fast as the current
and many arms could propel them.
He fired both barrels at those within
range on the port side. He reloaded.
and the sharp swapping Of revolver
shots told him that Tollemache and
the Chilean were busy.
But the Indians were demoralized by
the complete failure Of their scheme.
They had ceased firing and stone sling.
ing; they were flying for their lives.
Courtenay wheeled round on Suarez.
"Nowv' he cried. pointing to speak
ing trumpet. Suarez ran out on deck.
put the megaphone to his mouth and
roared after the discounted enemy q
threat Of worse things in store If they
dared to co.'s near the ship again. As
he used the Alaculof language, the
sounds he uttered were the most ex-
traordinary that Courtenay had ever
heard from q human throat-a COM
pound Of hoarse, cultural vowels and
consonants ending in a series Of clicks
and the stentorian power Of his lungs
must have amazed the Indians.
Courtenay saw that the two fleets
were combining forces about 900 yards
to the westward. They were close in
shore, but none Of the savages landed.
nor did they head for the more remote
Otter creek. AS he was anxious to
keep them on the run. he resolved to
try the siren again. He judged right
ly, as it transpired, that they would
fear the below Of the fog horn even
more than the flying missiles which
had dealt death and serious wounds SO
lavishly.
He knew sufficient Spanish, eked out
by signs, to bid Suarez hold the siren
cord taut for a minute. While the
Kansas was still trumpeting forth her
loud blare Of defiance he ran down the
bridge companion. Mr.. Boyle and the
tiny garrison of the port promenade
deck received him jubilantly. They
had escaped without bruise and ow-
ing to their position were able to wit
ness the Indians retreat.
He raced across to starboard and
found that by unfortunate mischance
q Chilean fireman in Tollemache's de-
tachmeut had been shot through the
brain. The poor fellow was prone on
the deck. 1t was only too evident that
Doctors skill could avail him naught,
SO Tollemache had decided that he
should not be taken below. The Incl
dent marred an easily won victory.
Courtenay was assured in his own
mind that none of the men had been
injured, seeing that he and Suarez, who
occupied the most dangerous position,
were untouched This fatality was
mere blunder of fate, and 1t grieved
him sorely.
Even while he bent reverently over
the unlucky Chilean's body the deafen.
ing vibration Of the fog horn ceased
and he heard Elsie's glad cry from the
salon:
"Oh, my, here comes Joey! That
means that Captain Courtenay has left
the bridge"
The girls joyous exclamation, her
prelude to a paean of thanks that the
dreadful necessary Staying of men had
ceased, was strange commentary on
the shattered form stretched at the
commanders feet. Among the small
company on board it had been decreed
that one at least, after surviving so
many perils, should never see home
and kin again.
He gave orders that the dead man
should be carried to the poop to await
sailors burial. Then he turned and,
with less sprightly step, descended
the main companion. In the salon he
found Elsie and Christobal watching
the stairs expectantly. The girl had
the dog in her arms, and Courtenay
perceived for the first time that Joey's
of fore paw had been cut by the broken
glass which Uttered the floor Of the
chart house.
"Then the attack has really failed?"
was Elsie's greeting. 81 saw some Of
the canoes turn and scurry away. That
was the first good sign, and then Joey
came"
"You saw themr' repeated Courte-
nay, his bent brows emphasizing the
question.
Eyes. I was looking through one Of
the ports. Was that wrong?"