Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-03-05

dead alike were carried to the I'M
tenanted second class salon forward.
Then Courtenay left Walker to solve
the puzzle of the accident and report
on its extent, while he climbed back
to the bridge, there to tackle the far
more pressing problem Of the measures
to be adopted IL he would save his
| ship.
1t was typical Of the man that his
first act was to wipe the CRIME of the
stokehold off his face and hands.
Then he drew a chart from the locker
in which he had placed it two hours
earlier. Mr.. Boyle, who had been at
tending the signals both by siren and
rocket, joined him. Courtenay pointed
to pin mark in the sheet
I'VE were there at 6 O'clock" he
said. and his voice was so steady that
he seemed now to be free from the
least touch of anxiety. ''The course
was south-40-east, and against this
wind and sea, together with strong
current to the nor'east, we would make
eight knots under easy steam. There
fore by 8 o'clock, when the furnaces
blew out, we were here"
He jabbed in a pin little farther
down the chart. Mr. Boyle grunted
agreement
'Huhw he said
Courtenay glanced at a chronometer.
at is now quarter to g." he went
on, land l reckon that since the ship
swung round we have been carried at
least six knots to the nor'east."
''Huhr' growled Mr.. Boyle again, but
he bent a trif1e nearer the chart. To
his sailors eyes the situation was quite
simple. Unless by Gods providence
some miracle happened the Kansas
was a doomed ship. The pin stuck
where the admiralty chart recorded
soundings of 100 fathoms with fine
sand bed. The longitude was 1850
west of Greenwich and latitude 51.35
south. Staring at them from the 9TH
arwise blank space which showed the
wide expanse of the Pacific was an
ominous note by the compilers Of the
chart:
"Seamen are cautioned not to make
free with these shores, as they are
very imperfectly known, and, from
their wild, desolate character, they
cannot be approached with safety"
Right in the track Of the drifting
ship lay a vaguely outlined trio Of
dread import-"Breakers. Islet (coni-
cali. Duncan rock" Behind this sin
lister barrier stood the more definite
White Horse island, while, running
due north and south few miles away
to the eastward, was wavering dot
ted line which professed to mark the
coast Of Hanover island Lending a
fearful significance to the unknown
character of the region, a printed COM
ment followed the dotted line, This
coast is laid down from distant OBJ
servations on board the Beagle" So
the sea face Of Hanover island had no
been visited by civilized man for near
ly sixty years!
Neither man spoke while their prac-
ticed scrutiny took In these details.
The roaring chaos Of the gale told
what fate awaited them. The elemen-
tai forces had donned the black cap of
the judge and sentenced them to
speedy destruction.
Mr.. Boyle pursed his lips. He looked
sideways at Courtenay.
Huh" he said. whats to be done?"
II propose" answered the captain
coolly, "to endeavor"-
1t was then that the giant wave
leaped madly over the poop. as thoug'
the sea were resolved to swallow II
prey without further warning. TIL,
second officer, outside on the bridg,
had to cling to stanchion for his life
Courtenay and Boyle saw two boat
wrenched from their davits and car
ried overheard, while a bulkhead for
ward was smashed into matchwood.
The half caste quartermaster at the
wheel muttered "Madonnav' and tried
to remember prayer
81 propose" continued Courtenay,
raising his voice so that the other
might hear 'to give the ship steering
way by hosting the foresail. Will you
see to it? Then intend to warn the
passengers and make such prepare
tions as are possible before we strike"