The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-04-01

~ 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
deck. In their panic the men were en-
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 q sharp command.
''All hands follow me to starboard!'
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
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 ell be clear
Of the ship in ten minutes If you do as
i you are told"
Two officers and quartermaster
| sprang forward. In an incredibly short
space OF time the crew were working
with redoubled frenzy, but under con-
! troll and with a 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 therem he cried Bring two
men here, Mr. Malcolm"
| When the chief steward came he
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 II
solicitude for the unfortunates 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 puileys. the cries Of the
sailors heaving at the ropes, told him
that the crew were at work At last
| be was free to go 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 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
boat to live.
We're on sort Of breakwater, sir"
said the second officer.
Seems like it. Is the ship hard and
fast?'
81 am afraid so''
Il think the weather is moderating.
Go and see how the barometer stands"
Steady improvement, SIR" came the
report.
ANY water coming in?'
"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 not
send any women in her. If all is well,
let them go IN the next one. Take
charge Of her yourself
would you mind tying this hand
kerchief tightly just here, sir?"
The second officer held out his left
forearm.
Were you knitted, too?" asked Cour-
tenay.
1T Is not much, but l am losing
good deal of blood"
''The brutes = the unreasona BILE
brutesw muttered the captain. AS he
knotted the linen into a rough tourni-
quet the other asked:
"Shall report to you when the first
boat gets away, STRIP
NO need. 1 shall see what happens.
| When she is clear shall bring the la
dies TO you"
CTo be Contlnuedl