The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-04-08

IS 81 the deck, the warlike sounds |
"a ~ which disturbed her rest had
%Sk.e ceased. Save for the foot |
steps Of men whom she could not see,
the prevalent noises were caused only
by wind and sleet. While she was hur-
rying forward as rapidly as the dark
ness permitted, the lights were switch
ed on with a suddenneSs that made her
gasp. The dog began to bark again,
but it was easy to distinguish his sharp
yelps Of excitement and defiance from
the earlier notes of alarmed suspicion.
In fact, Joey himself was the first to
discover the stealthy approach Of the
Indians. Courtenay and Tollemache,
who took the middle watch, from mid
night to a. m, had failed to note the
presence of several canoes on the ink
black surface OF the bay until the dog
warned them by growing and rufling
the bristles on bis back. The night
was pitch dark. The moon was not
only hidden by the hills Of the island,
but frequent storms of rain and hail
rendered it impossible while they
ragged to see or hear beyond the dis
lance of few feet.
In all probability as the canoes bore
down from windward Joey had scent
ed them. He also gave the highly Inn
portant information as to the quarter
from which attack might be expected.
Three men at least had gained the
deck, but the prompt use Of a revolver
had caused them to retreat as silently
and speedily as they had appeared.
That was all. There was no actual
fight. The phantoms vanished as ST.
lently as they came. The only exter-
nal lights on the ship were the mast
head and side lights hOisted by Courte-
nay to reveal the steamers where
abouts in case one of the boats CHANGED
to be driven into the bay during the
dark hours. There was an electric
lamp turned on in the donkey engine
room and another in the main salon,
but means were taken to exclude them
from showing without If the Indians
meant to be actively hostile, lights on
board would be more helpful to the
assailants than to the assailed.
When the captain and Tollemache
followed Joey's lead, they discerned
three demoniac figures vaguely outlined
by the rudy glare Of the port light In
the very act of climbing the rails.
They fred instantly. and the naked
forms vanished. Both men thought
they heard the splashing caused by the
leaping or falling of the Indians into
the sea. By the same subdued radi.
ance Courtenay made out the top OF q
pole or mast sticking UP close to the
ships side. He leaned over, fred a
couple Of shots downward at random,
seized the pole and dashed 1t to a
stanchfon with a loose rope end,
remnant Of one of the awnings A
small craft, even an Indian canoe,
would be most useful, and its capture
might tend to scare the attackers.
| Telling Tollemache to mount guard,
he raced back to the saloon hatch and
| summoned assistance. The others
searched the ship in small detach-
ments, but the Indians were gone. 1t
was manifest that none beyond those
driven off at the first onset had Sc
cured a footing on deck. Then, taking
the risk of being shot at, Courtenay or
| dered the lights to be turned on, and
the first person he saw clearly was
Elsie He was almost genuinely angry
with her
"What are you doing here?" he de-
handed
She was learning not to fear his
/ brusque ways. He was no carpet
/ knight, and men who carry their lives
in their hands do not pick and choose
their words.
Il thought you were in danger, so l
came to help" she said calmly.
"You must go back to your cabin at
once"
''Why? OF what avail is the safety
of my cabin If you are killedY'
A woman's logic is apt to be irritat-
ing when one expects flight of ar
rows or, it may be, a gunshot out of
the blackness few feet away.
For goodness sake, stand here,
them" he cried, Selling her arm and
compelling her to shelter behind the
| heavy molding which carried the
bridge. Then he quilted her for a
moment in order to dispatch Chilean
He wished to investigate the captured
| canoe.
The lantern was brought Courtenay
stood on the lowermost rail and care
fully paid out a rope to which the
light was slung. He was far too brave
a man to take undue risks. He was
ready to shoot instantly if need be-
and by his instructions Tollemache
and Walker kept watch as best they
could in case other canoes were lying
close to the ship.
Any doubt in this regard was dis
PEELED in a singular manner. The flick
ering rays of the lantern had barely
revealed the primitive craft lying
alongside when a voice came from the
depths, crying in broken Spanish:
J Don't shoot, senors! Spare me, fol
the love Of heaven! l am a white man