Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-10

was knocked on the head during that terrible fight for the boats was the master cook himself. He is better now, and breakfast can be ready in five minutes. I'll go and tell him."
 She ran off, and Joey scampered by her side, for he knew quite well where the kitchen lay.
 Bromide is useful at times," mur- mured Christobal, watching Elsie un- til she had disappeared. Then he turn ed to Courtenay.
 T suppose you have seen nothing of the boats?"
 No sign whatever. And could hardly have missed them if they were here. They may have escaped, but I doubt it. The sea ran very high for time, and the Kansas scraped past so many reefs that it was almost i'm possible for each of the three boats to have done the same"
 Even if one or more of them reach ed land there is small likelihood that they would turn up in this particular ,bayw
 That is true, especially if they used their sails. The Ceileans who got away in the lifeboats would know sui ficient of the coast to make northerly course, while my parting instructions l to Malcolm were to keep to the north all the time."
 T wish now that poor Isobel Barring and the others had not left us." said Christobal sadly.
 Courtenay was about to say some thing, but checked himself. He was not blind to the aspect of affairs which Tollemache had summarized so pithily. It might yet be that those who remain ed had more to endure. Then Elsie summoned them to breakfast, which was served on deck, as the salon had been temporarily converted into hos i pital.
 Before sitting down Courtenay paid brief visit to MT. Boyle. Christobal told him not to allow the wounded man to talk too much, complete rest for few hours being essential. But Boyle's pallid faceslit up so brightly when the captain stood by his side that it was hard not to indulge him to some extent.
 Huh" he said, his gruff voice strong as ever, "Christobal was not humbug- gin me when he assured me you were all right. Where are we?"
 ''In small bay on the east of Hano- yer island. I have not taken any ob- servations yet, and there is no hurry, old chap. You'll be out and about long before we move again."
 Boyle smiled and closed his eyes.
 q heard the anchors go, and then I knew that all was well. You're the luckiest skipper afoat. Huh, the bloomin' Kansas was lost not once, but twenty times"
 Are you in pain, Boyle" asked Courtenay, placing gentle hand on his friends forehead.
 Not much. More stiff than sore. It was knockout blow of it's kind can just recall you haulin' me out of the scrimmage and'"-
 Tt will be your turn to do as much for me next time. Try to go to sleep. We'll have you on deck tomorrow"
 Courtenay noticed that there were only four other sufferers in the sa- lon. Three were fremen injured by the explosion. He had pleasant word for each of them. The fourth was sailor, either asleep or uncon- scious, and Courtenay thought he rec ognized severe bruise on the mans left temple where the butt of his re- yolver had struck hard.
 When he returned on deck he learn ed that two other members of the crew, in addition to the cook, were able to work Walker had set one to clear up the stokehold. His 'compan- ion, a fireman, had relieved Mir. Tolle mache. Indeed, the latter had gone to his cabin and was the last to arrive at the feast. finally putting in an ap- pearance in new suit and spotless linen.
 Christobal protested loudly.
 T thought this was to be a workers meal" he said. "Tollemache has stol- en a march on us. He is quite Bond street lounger in appearance"
 Dirty job stoking,' said Tollemache.
 T seem to have been the only lazy person on board during the nightr' cried Elsie.
 Do you know what time 1t is?" ask ed Courtenay.
 No; about 10 o'clock, fancy"
 Tt is not yet half past 4"
 The blue eyes opened wide. Are you in earnest?" she demanded.
 He showed her his watch Scarce four hours had elapsed since she had waited in the captains cabin, amid the drenching spray and tearing wind, while he took Isobel and Mrs. Somer- vile and the shrieking maid to the boat. The corners of her mouth droop- | cd. and tears trembled on her eye 1 I I T TN .... |