Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-19

knew real gale from a sham one as
well as any man before the mast.
Courtenay patted his head, opened q
drawer in the writing table and drew
forth two photographs, which he kiss
ed. He replaced them, locked the
drawer and went out, letting the dog
come with him. That was his farewell
to his mother and sister. 1t was the
first and last sign of sentiment he eX-
hibited during that night of great en-
durance.
When he returned from the salon he
found the chief officer examining the
chart.
DO you think we have any chance
Of making Conception strait?' he ask
ed, pointing to the doubtfully marked
channel which separates Hanover and
Duke of York islands.
''If we set the mains'l we might
bear up Bit"
TRY it."
Huh" said Mr.. Boyle, and he was
off again into the spindrift.
Be it understood that the sails car
ried by big vessel like the Kansas
are of little practical value save under
certain conditions of wind and sea.
when they are rugged to steady her and
thus give help to helm and propeller.
Still, they might serve now to carry
the ship a point or two toward the
north, and this was the sole avenue of
escape which remained.
Leaving the chart on the table, where
/ NV pincy min
tenay went back to his cabin to obtain
| pair of sea boots. Seeing Joey sitting
| on his tail and shivering, unable to in
dulge In Il comfortable lick because the
! taste of salt water was hateful, he
hunted for u padded macintosh coat
which he had procured for the dogs
| protection in cold ATTITUDES. He ran
| sacked two lockers before he found it,
Several articles were tumbled in
heap on the floor in his haste, and he
did not trouble to pack them away
again. He buckled Joey into the gar
ment, fastened his own oilskins and re-
| Joined the second officer ON the bridge.
A glance showed him the dark wall of
the mainsail rising abaft the after fun
| mel. The quartermaster at the wheel,
| having recovered his wits. was keeping
| the ships nose up to the wind by
steady pressure to port The gale was
as fierce as ever. The second officer
shouted in Courtenay's ear:
Il am afraid, sir, the wind has shift
ed point
COurtenay looked at the compass.
The ship was bearing exactly north
east. He had hoped that the sails
would enable her to shape due north
at least. PROFESSIONALLY some spiteful
fiend was urging her headlong to ruin.
Had the wind but veered as much to
the south he might have CHANGED the
run through Conception strait or even
weathered Duke of York island. He
nodded to his junior, whose presence
on the bridge was mere matter OF
form owing to the powerless condition
of the ship and the impenetrable wrack
| of foam and mist that barred vision
ahead, and strobe off on a tour of in
| spection. AS wind and sea were now
beating more directly ON the port side,
there was some degree of shelter along
the covered-in deck to starboard. He
found that two boats had been cleared
of their hamper and lowered on the
4 davitS until they could be swung in on
the promenade deck. The men were
thus able to provision them more east
ly than in their exposed berths Oh the
spar deck. He watched the workers
for few minutes, showed them how
to stow and lash some biscuit tins
/ nd &c, ct1t
yey, meaning to look in on Walker and
the doctor.
He had to pass the cabins set apart
for the two girls. The ports were
lighted, and through the window he
could see some one peering out at him
Owing to the thickness of the glass
and its blurred condition he could not
tell whether the occupant was Elsie oil
Isobel or Isobel's maid; but, whoever
it was, hand seemed to signal to him
to open the door,
He unfastened the bolts and held q
half door slightly ajar. Joey, ever
eager to be out of the pelting storm
hoped inside, and Courtenay heard
Elsie exclaim:
Good gracious, Joey! Where is your
life belt?'
do you want anything" asked
Courtenay through the chink.
Elsie smiled at him. She was wrap
ped in heavy ulster and had tam-o'
shanter tied firmly on her head by g
stout veil.
'Mr. Malcolm thought we had better
bring life belts from our cabins.
came for mine, and l looked out anG
saw you. l wanted to ask you wha
had become of DR.. Christobal. / hop,
you don't mind"
mot in the least. l am just going t.
him. Would you care to Gomez"
"Oh, shall be most pleasedw
HE is attending the injured men
you know. and there are others there
who are beyond his help"
Perhaps l may be of some assist
ance"
Come, then. When open the doc
step out quickly and hold tight to tina
rail, and don't move until tell YOU"
His manner was curt enough t.
please the superioress of nunnery
/