Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-10-24


Of oaths that would shock the most
hardened senses. the captain called out
10 Mike.
What's the matter with this fell
low"
Il don't know" answered Mike. Il
heard him groaning a while ago. but
guessed ne was only havin' mean
dreams"
The officer thought hard for a mo-
mcnt and then said 90 Mike. you
viii run the launch in for us. BE ready
IN IS minutes" Turning TO Jerry.
he growled; "Therel not be room for
you in the launch. You VIII wait until
daylight" Then he FASTENED TO the
deck.
What shall I do2 What shall I do"
cried Jerry wringing his hands
You heard the captain"
"But I must get in-to-night She
may get away from YOU"
Then, youu have 20 make ND
load and swim"
'Iu Go that viii. so help"
you don't mean that. Tommy" said
the surprised Mike. dropping his
chamois skin 20 the floor
u mean it If ever meant thing
in my life. I can drop on and splash
I'm some way III make out for the
nearest"
Tommy Flannery. your life would
not be worth tin cints. It's FAR enough
for an expert I'm the daytime. and there
amt a man that would attempt it at
night"
There is one mani" cried tho des-
perate jerry.
DO you really mean 90 try t2"
II do"
Then grab on one Of those preserv-
ers over there. ltu keep you afoat
IN case your less give out anyway"
Jerry took q cork preecryor from
hook and hid BE- near the ladder. re-
turning Immediately 60 Mike. who was
preparing TO report 20 the captain
'II keep my eve on them as long
rs Z can. Tommy" said Mike as ho
took Ierry's trembling hand "If You
ever get in. wait for me at the FAR end
o. The pier. no mattor how long 7 am
gone. And God HELM youl"
Before Jerry could give expression
90 his 5umhlei thoughts Mike O'Cou-
nor was moving briskly towards the
stairs. Jerry then fastened tho pre-
server Go the top OF the ladder. when
he reached the forward past of tho
deck Die was surprised Co find that Ma-
rina and the strange woman already
had gone down the side Cf the boat
90 the launch. and Mike was iust step
ping into the utIe boat a minute
or SO later the launch was moving or
in the darkness
Jerry started away from the can
tain so abruptly and with such APP
parent excitement that the Officer
called him 90 halt.
"Iou seem 20 me FRI q great hurry
90 reach Shore said the captain
my poor brother. my poor brotheri"
walled Jerry. "lf there only had been
room in that launch 7 could have"
Your poor brother must wait till
morning said the captain. very de-
terminedly.
Jerry, utterly unable 20 control him
self tugged 90 get away. and his ac-
uons thorouChly aroused the officers
suspicious. He succeeded ia breaking
loose, and Immediately started madly
towards the stern. the other IN hot
pursuit Just as he reached the end
Of the cabin the Infatuated CAPTAIN
threw his arms around him and
brought his hands TO his throat in an
attempt TO strangle him into submits
sion. BY an almost superhuman ef-
fort Jerry broke away from the tight
ening grip and hurled himself at the
other with the ferocity OF a maddened
beast The two grappled for 8 minute.
the officer trying 20 cry out for help.
and then fell 10 the deck. The officer
was big powerful man. but he was
no match for the desperate Jerry. who.
after they had rolled over and over
several times. succeeded in freeing
himself He was on his feet only an
instant before the other. but the ad-
vantage gained was sufficient. Before
the captain could protect himself Jer-
rvs big fist crashed 10 his jaw and
he sank 10 the deck unconscious.
Without waiting to see what effect
the blow had had. Jerry was at the
hatchway snatching the life preserver
from its fastening A moment later.
after casting a final glance at the still
body Of the officer, he climbed over
Che rail and dropped into the black
water.
Mike O'Connor's quick wits were
hard at work the moment after Jerry
announced his determination to leave
the vessel that night and TO risk HIS
life in the waters Of the harbor. Aft
er taking the launch In about 100
yards he suddenly stopped the ma
chinery and appeared TO be worried.
Come. come. man. " impatienuy said
Andre, who sat nearest him. why
do you not go on?"
The propeller is baking" answered
Mike. seeming to concentrate his
whole attention to q part Of the ma
chinery. His sole purpose in stopping
the machinery was 20 afford Jerry all
possible time before effecting a land
ing. The delay was not as long as he
intended it should be. for the I'm
patient. nervous Andre touched the
wheel that set the prODeIlar in motion