Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-06


 N 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 ot 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. An, perhaps not even four minutes! The Kansas, with a shiver, lifted to the embrace of a heavy sea, lurched to port and settled herself more comfortably. The deck assumed an easier angle. Now it was possible to walk. There were no rocks 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 its 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 10 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. C. Irtenay recognized him as a leading stoker who had temporary charge of the donkey boiler and seized him wrathfully. his eyes ablaze.
 GO back" he roared.
 "Senor! The ship is lost!"
 '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 sbey. Courtenay relaxed his grip, and for a 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, GOT some of you will die here"
 Even in their frenzy they believed him. The foremost slunk away and fought in a new terror with those who would urge them on. Gray. bleeding from a cut across the forehead, knock ed down a man who brutally tore Iso- bel out of his path. TOllenache. revolver in each hand. set his back against the corner of the salon at the foot of the stairs.
 "Tm with you. captain-' 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 fl is possible to lower the boats. Each boafs crew will be mustered in turn. passengers and men alike If you are towards now you will throw away what chznce there fs of saving youT HVz-
 A revolver barked twice somewhere o7 deCk. A bullet smashed one of the vfu1ors of the music room and lodged f1 a panel behind Courtensy. TheT all heard the reports. but the captain p-orptly turned the incident fo s1 vantage
 @Yo1 see re mean to maintain sT ss-.- he ssid. -N-. Mslcosu- tske care tat srsrT ozs has life belt