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


O. rending of plates, the tearing
asunder of stanch steel ribs
and crossbeams, which should
sound the knell of the ships last mo-
ments. But the Kansas seemed to be
in no hurry to fall in pieces. She
strained and groaned and shook vio-
lently when wave pounded her. 9th
erwise she lay there like a beaten
thing, oddly resembling the living but
almost unconscious men stretched on
the mattresses in the forward salon.
Courtenay did not experience the
least fear of death. Emotion OF any
sort was already dead in him. He
found himself wondering If an unex-
pectedly strong current setting to the
southeast had not upset his reckoning,
If there were any broken limbs among
the occupants of the salon. If Elsie
had been injured by being thrown
down into his cabin. He looked at his
watch. It was past II. In four hours
there would be dawn. Dawn! In as
many minutes he might see the day
that is everlasting All, perhaps not
even four minutess The Kansas, with
a shiver, lifted to the embrace of a
herself mole comfortably. The deck
assumed an easier angle. Now it was
possible to walk. There were no rockE
here, at any rate. Courtenay at once
jumped to the conclusion that the pow
erful current whose existence he sus-
pected had cut out for itself a deep
water channel toward the land and the
ship had struck on the silt of It's back
wash. Anyhow, the Kansas was still
living. The lights were all burning
steadily. He could detect the rhythmic
throb of the donkey engine. He felt
it like the faint beat of a pulse. In
her new position the ship presented
less of solid wall to the onslaught of
the sea. The tumultuous waves began
to race past without breaking so fierce
ly. Had she started her plates? Were
the holds and engine room full of wa
ter? If SO, Walker and his helpers
were already drowning beneath his
feet. And when next she moved the
vessel might slip away into the depths!
A man rushed by, or.tried to do SO.
Courtenay recognized him as leading
stoker who had temporary charge of
the donkey boiler and seized him
wrathfully, his eyes ablaze.
$50 back" he roared.
"Senor! The ship is lostr'
go back and await my ordersr'
He could have strangled the fugitive
In his sudden rage. The fireman en-
deavored to gasp his readiness to obey.
Courtenay relaxed his grip, and for
time at least one member of the crew
stuck to his post, fearing the mad
captain more than DEATH
A mob of stewards and kitchen
hands came in a torrent up the salon
stairs. Courtenay met them, a terri
flying figure, and thrust a revolver in
their faces.
Back he shouted, cor some of you
will die herev'
Even in their frenzy they believed
him. The foremost skunk away and
fought in new terror with those who
would urge them on. Gray, bleeding
from cut across the forehead, knock
ed down a man who brutally tore Iso-
bel out Of his path. Tollemache, a
revolver in each hand, set his back
against the corner of the salon at
the foot Of the stairs.
"I'm with you, captainr' he yelled.
| Courtenay saw that he had conquer
ed them for the instant He raised his
hand.
Behave like men, he cried. "You
can do no good by crowding the deck.
I am going to the bridge to see If it is
possible to lower the boats. Each
boats crew will be mustered in turn,
passengers and men alike. If you are
towards now you will throw away
what chance there is Of saving your
lives"
A revolver barked twice somewhere
on deck. a bullet smashed one of the
windows of the music room and lodged
In a panel behind Courtenay. They
all heard the reports, but the captain
promptly turned the incident to adj
vantage.
| "You see we mean to maintain or
DER he said mfr. Malcolm, take
care that every one has life belt"
| A sort Of cheer came from the men.
Who could fail to believe in a leader
so cool and resourceful? He ran out
into the darkness TO discover the cause
of che shooting. A number Of sailors
and firemen were striving to launch a
boat. There was struggle going on.
He could not distinguish friend from
foe in the melee, but he threw him
self into it fearlessly.
you fooisr' he shouted. you may
die soon enough without killing each
other. Make way there! All, would
your" He caught the CLEAN Of an up