Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-21


self into il fearlessly.
You foOlsr' he shouted. You may
die soon enough without killing each
other. Make way there! All. would
youT He caught the CLEAN of an up
lifted knife and struck saVagely ut the
face of the man who would have used
it. The butt of the revolver caught the
sailor OH 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 rot let go of 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 Il ghast-
ly pandemOnium. 1t was an orgy of
terror. of wild abandon. of hopeless
striving on the edge of the pit. stupid
madness mt the best. as the ships life
boats on the port side were on the spar
deck. In their panic the men were en-
dPavoring to lower IL dingey. Yet Cour-
tenay saw that discipline was regain
ing its Influence. He thought to in
spire confidence and stop useless saw
agery by sharp command.
"All hands follow ME to starboardr'
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 Il gang
way TO the higher side of the deck.
Swing those boats back to the spar
deck" 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
sprang forward. In an incredibly short
space of time the crew were working
with redOubled frenzy, but under con-
troll and with common object. For
m 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 ow-.
left hand where it clasped the other
round the waist was covered with
blood.
Below therew he cried. Bring two
men here, Mr. Malcolm"
When the chief steward came lie
gave directions that Mr.. Boyle should
be 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
find others there"
He did not stop to ask himself If
solicitude for the unfortCnates wound
ed in the fight were of any avail. His
mind was clear. the habit of COM
| mand 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 We're at work. At last
he was free to go to the bridge.
1 To hn g., = H.
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 tumbling
sea could fling him overheard, he haul.
ed himself out of danger just in time
to take part in the fray on deck. He
came back now, hurrying to join the
captain. Courtenay, standing in the
shelter of the chart house, was peer.
ing through the flying scud to leeward
The sea was darker there than it had
been for hours Around the ship the
surface was milklike with foam, but
beyond the area of the shoal there
seemed to be a remote chance for a
boat to live.
| we re on sort or DreakWateF, sir, u
said the second officer.
Seems like it Is the ship hard and
fast?'
~ am afraid so.'
| 81 think the weather is moderating
Go and see how the barometer stands. y
STEADY Improvement, SIR" came the
report.
Amy water coming imp
"Mr. Walker said he thought not"
Perhaps it doesn't matter. Try to
get the first lifeboat lowered. Let her
carry as many extra hands as possible
We have lost two boats. But do moi
send any women in her. If all is we'll
let them go in the next one. Take
charge of her yourself"
Would you mind tying this hand.
kerchief tightly just here, STRIP
The second officer held out his left
forearm.
Were you knitted, too?" asked Cour.
tenay.
at Is not much, but l am losing a
good deal of blood"
"The brutes the unreasonable
Il