The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1908-04-30


Then Courtenay went to his own
cabin, in which, in the haste OF his
exit, he had imprisoned Joey. The
dog received him with delight, for Joey
knew a real gale from a sham one as
we'll as any man before the mast.
Courtenay patted his head. opened a
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. It 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
of 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 point or two toward the
north, and this was the sole avenue of
escape which remained
Leaving the chart on the table, where
1t was secured by drawing pins, Cour-
tenay went back to his cabin to obtain
a pair Of sea boots. Seeing joey sitting
on his tail and shivering, unable to in
dulge in comfortable lick because the
taste Of salt water was hateful. he
hunted for 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 a
heap on the door 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 a
steady pressure to port. The gale was
as fierce as ever. The second officer
shouted in Courtenay's ear:
II 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 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
davits until they could be swung in on
the promenade deck. The men were
thus able to provision them more east
~ than in their exposed berths on the
spar deck. He watched the workers
for few minutes. showed them how
to stow and lash some biscuit tins
more securely and continued his sur
vey, 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 Dat at him.
Owing to the thickness of the glass
and its blurred condition he could not
tell whether the occupant was Elsie or
lsobel or Isobel's maid; but, whoever
it was, hand seemed to signal to him
to open the door.
He unfastened the bolts and held a
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 a tam-o'-
shanter tied firmly on her head by a
stout veil.
"Mr. Malcolm thought we had better
bring life belts from our cabins.
came for mine, and looked out and
saw you. l wanted to ask you what
had become of DR.. Christobal. I hope
you don't mind"
mot in the least. am just going to
him. Would you care to Gomez"
"Oh. shall be most pleasedr'
"He is attending the injured men,
you know, and there are others there
who are beyond his help"
Perhaps may be of some assist
ance."
"C0me, then. When open the door
step out quickly and hold tight to that
rail, and don't move until tell you"
Hfc uoopnor xvoc o,,rk o,orrb %o