The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-11-19


in the mist of the forward pump. He
caught family his yen of defiance as
Flick. the second officer. ran out from
among the shadows and intercepted
him with a blow from a knotted fist
that sent him Keeling into the drown
ing wash of the sea. He shouted as
the little gray man followed up Sven
sons huge bulk. like a terrier, and
other figures staggered out of the
binding spume, naked armed, bare
chested, with Svenson's panic gleam-
ing in their eyes. Flick saw him as
he came across the deck and planted
his back against the port davit, where
the tops of the seas swept over him
in smothering rushes.
They've left the pumps! he
shouted as Connolly came up. I'm
damned"
4 ton of water breaking over the
rail sent him Keeling out among the
men. He picked himself up and stag
gered to Connolly. his thin, gray-beard-
ed face questioning him eagerly.
She's a little better. boys." shouted
the captain. But we can't take her
out into that"
He pointed out into the grayness Of
the sea, broken only by the foaming
tops that rode rail-high with the ship.
MY God. men, no boat would
live"
The voice of a seaman rose almost
In shrek.
We're full! We're full to foot Of
the matches. tell y! She's got to
go now or never,"
There was sullen assent in dozen
water-blistered eyes. From early
morning until noon these men had
lung to sinking ship because each
cherished In him a memory of the
woman Because of her they had
fought until their hands bled and
their breath came In gasps. They
had watched the schooner settle inch
by inch and foot by foot, struggling
stubbornly for the precious minutes
which would give life TO her. until
arms hung limp and effortless and
men fell exhausted upon the deck
when others took their turns at the
pumps. And above them all Svenson
had worked and urged and cursed
those whose nerve began to fail them.
until, when the last minute seemed
riding on each white-crested rush of
the sea. something broke within him,
and he turned In his despair to the
boats. II was Svenson now who
rushed to the falls. In an instant Con-
molly was among the panic-stricken
men.
You can't live in that sea-" he
shouted. Fight it out another hour.
men-one more hour"
The schooner rode more easily now.
She had settled until the resistance
she gave 10 the sea was as solid as
that OF a mass of steel. and the ram
ming of her sides only sent Earring
throes through her timbers. as
though a thousand-ton weight touched
her gently each time she was struck.
A few minutes more, a sudden sweep
of water over the rail, and Connolly
knew that she would go down, quietly
and without sensation, but with mer-
ciful quickness. He turned toward
the cabin, and at the threshold of the
door that led TO where the woman lay
for the strength that he knew he
would need. Then he opened II and
entered. At the end of the room a
woman lay upon a cot, her strangely
white face turned expectantly toward
the door. AS Connolly came through
she smiled. and her beautiful eyes
frightened with glad light.
1T has seemed so long. jim" she
said. her voice rising barely above a
whisper. The storm frightens me.
But it's quieter now, isn't it?"
Yes, dear."
The man took off his dripping hat
and coat and sat down beside h@
The woman, as he did so, drew down
the coverlet a few inches so that he
might see the little pink face lying
against her bosom. He leaned over,
more to hide his own Wilderness than
TO caress, and stroke the baby's
cheek with a big forefinger. The
woman took his other hand and
pressed it happily. She spoke no
word. but when the man raised him
self to look into her face he saw the
great dawn of the new life shining
sdoringly in her eyes. After a time
the woman said:
'Jim,"
Yes, dear"
are you-very glad?"
TIE man pressed her face to him
with passionate tenderness He did
not answer in words. but the woman
was satisfied. Then he gently drew
himself away. the young wifes eyes
following him inquiringly.
You're not going back-now?" she
asked. "f.ihorght=-"
''Yes-Flick is In charge" he said
quickly. But must see-that every
things all right" Between his words
he hesitated. listening to a sound I'M
der his ieet that thrilled him. II was
like the humping of floating cargo
against the deck. The water was ris.
ing faster than he supposed. but he
showed no sign OF the fear that was
In him.
You will be hack soon?"