Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-06-09
he came aboard, nor was he finished

he came aboard, nor was he finished
with It.
ship will strike soon," he said.
Gr,ly turned on him sharply. "Oh,
nonsense he exclaimed. What has
put that absurd notion into your
head?"
"Know this coast"
"But we are far out at sea-"
"Flfty miles from danger line two
hours ago; thirty now"
care you sure?'
Certain"
"Do you mean to tell me that In
three hours or less the ship may be
wreck?"
will be-" said Tollemache. "Have
cigar" And he passed well filed
case to his companion.
The American was beginning to take
the silent ones measure. He bit of
the end Of cigar and lit 1t.
whats at the back Of your headw
he asked coolly. The other looked to-
ward the Chlleans.
Those chaps are rotters," he said.
you think they will cut up rough?
What can they do? We must all sink
or swim together
eyes, but there are the women, you
know. They must be looked after.
You can count on me. Tell the chief
steward and the padre"
Gray felt that here was man after
k,Nr A
can having rough and ready way of
classifying nationalities when the last
test Of manhood Is applied by a ship
wreck or f1re.
"Got gun?'' he inquired.
"Cabin--going for 1t first opportuni-
IT,"
Same here. But the captain viii
give us some sort Of warning"
Perhaps not Die quick, die happy"
Then Gray smiled, and he could not
help saying, "Tell you what, cousin, II
you shoot as straight as you talk these
stewards will come to heel, no matter
what happens"
Fair shot," admitted Tollemache,
and he stalked or to bis stateroom.
while the count was vociferating for
the last time:
Quel bon pitt roi c'etait la!
La. la!
Between Elsie and De Poincilit the
chorus made quite respectable din.
Few noticed that the salon main COM
panlon had been opened again until
the sharp bark Of dog Joining in
the hand clapping turned every eye
toward the stairway. Captain Courte-
nay was descending. In front ran
Joey, who Of course imagined that the
pla,ldits Of the audience demanded
recognition. Courtenay had removed
his oilskins before leaving the bridge.
His dark blue uniform was fecked
with white foam, and sou 'wester.Was
tied under his chin; otherwise his APP
pea,rance gave little sign Of the Wild
tumult without. Joey, on the other
hand, was very wet dog and inclined
to be snappy.
II regret to have to inform you" said
Gourtenay, with the measured DELHI
Grafton Of a man who has made up his
mind exactly what to say, that the
ship has been disabled by some acci-
dent, the cause of which is unknown
at present. The unfortunate result is
that she Is in position of some peril"
There was a sudden stir among the
Chilean stewards, whose wits were
sharpened sufficiently to render the
captains statement quite clear to them.
Isobel uttered little sob of terror,
and Mrs. Somerville gasped audibly,
"Oli, my poor children" Elsie, her
lips parted, sat forward on the piano
stool. Her senses seemed to have be-
come intensified all at once. She could
see everything, hear every thing. Some
of the Chileans and Spaniards crossed
themselves; others swore. Count Ed
GUARD breathed hard and muttered,
"Grand Dieur' She wondered why the
captain and Mr.. Tollemache, who had
returned from his stateroom and was
standing In the halfllight Of a door
way, should simultaneously drop their
right hands into coat pocket. Mr..
Tollemache, too, gave queer little
nod to the American, who had moved
near to Isobel and placed a hand on
her shoulder. Elsie was quite sure that
Gray whispered, "For goodness sake,
don't cause scene!" And indeed he
did ask Isobel and Mrs. Somerville.
with some curtness, to restrain them
selves.
Courtenay with one cold glance chill
ed into silence the muttered prayers
ami curses of the Chileans.
ut may be necessary about day
break to endeavor to beach the ship,
he continued. II wish you all, there
fore, to guard against possible exposure
by wearing warm clothes, especially
furs and overcoats. Money and jew
elry should be secured, but no baggage
Of any sort, not even the smallest
hand bag, can be carried, as all other
personal belongings must be left on
board. Passengers will gather here
and remain here until send one OF
the officers for them. The companion