The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-07-02

She had heard the lowering of the boat
without needing. He was already
climbing down the ships side. Soon
he would be far from her. perhaps nev-
er to return, for he was not one to
paint imaginary ills, and had he not
told De Poincilit what the outcome Of
the undertaking might be? She found
Isobel looking at her with frightened
eyes.
did you hear" came the tense
whisper.
"Yes."
"And you are content to let him go?"
"Ah. God! Yes. content"
But it is folly. He is the captain.
He should not go. We have risked
enough already. Who are these men
for whose sake he leaves you and all
of usY
II know not, nor do greatly care.
May heaven help me and them. We
are his first care. Let it be mine to
leave him unhindered in the task he
has undertaken"
Isobel was cowed into silence. Ell
sizes hero worship had reached
height beyond her comprehension. She
would never understand how a wo
man who loved a man could send him
voluntarily to his death, and her shall.
low mind did not contemplate the pos
sibility Of Courtenay's refusing to be
swayed by any other consideration
than that which his conscience told
him was right.
Thus at arms length, as it were, they
waited until they caught the sharp
command "Give way therew and the
plash of oars told them that the boat
had really started on its journey shore.
ward. Then Isobel, glancing furtively
at her companion, saw the tears steal
ing down her cheeks, and the situation
came back from the transcendental to
that which was Ineligible to her low
er ideals.
81 am sorry" she whispered, catch
ing Elsie's hand timidly. II said what
/ thought was for the best. At any
rate, it is too late now"
Too late! The other girl groped
blindly for the door. She felt that she
would yield to the strain if she did not
60 on deck and catch parting glimpse
Of the man who had become dearer to
her than life itself.
On the poop she found Boyle. Chris
tobal, Gray and Walker. A number
Of Chileans were leaning over the rails
Of the main deck. All the men were
talking earnestly. 1t was ominous that
they should cease their conversation
the instant she appeared. One man
may conceal his fears, but twenty can
not.
She brushed away the tears deter
mindedly and looked at the boat. al
ready white speck on the green car
pet of the bay. She could see Courte-
nay distinctly. Some magnetic impulse
must have gone out from her, because
she had not been watching him longer
than a couple of seconds when he
turned and waved his hand. She re-
piled instantly. 1uttering a handker-
chief. poor girl. long after it became
impossible for her to distinguish wheth-
er or not he returned her signals.
At last she turned to Mr.. Boyle. who
was nearest to her.
"Who is sitting next to Captain Cour-
.tenay?' she asked, and she had feet
ing impression that he was anxious for
her to speak. so quickly did he answer.
"Tollemache. He Skinned down the
ladder as the first volunteer. The
skipper ordered him to get out, but he
said he was deaf. Anyhow, I'm glad
he is there. Courtenay ought to have
one sure enough white man by his
side."
"And what are they attempting"
"Huh. It's bold plan, an I'm not
goin' to condemn it on that account.
Have you heard this mornin's news
how Suarez found out from the In
dians that eleven of our crew are hid
ing in cave on Guanaco hill"
Something of it. not all. But why
why has Captain Courtenay gone off
In such hurry"
"Well, Miss Elsie, he figures that an
open effort by daylight is the only way
to rescue them. They will have seen
our signals. an they can hardly fail
to sight the boat. When he is close
tnshore they are sure to make a dash
for it, an he hopes to get them off
before the Indians wake up to the
game he is playin'. There are eight
men in the boat, and with eleven 9TH
ers to help there shouldn't be much
difficulty in keepin' the savages at a
proper distance"
"How soon-will he-reach the land
ing place"
"Huh. Maybe an hour, an another
hour for the home trip. He'll be
aboard for tea"
Boyle uttered that concluding state
ment trife too airily. Elsie for the
first time in her life knew what It
meant to want to scream aloud.
"Did Captain Courtenay leave any
message for met" she demanded.
"Huh-message! Why, he will be
away only couple Of hoursv'
Surely you will tell me, Mr.. BoyleY'
she pleaded wistfully.
"Well, happen to know there's a
letter in the doctors hands, but that is
to be given you in case Of accident
alone. And there's no sign of any ac-
cident yet, thank goodnessv'
Elsie clung to the after rail and