Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1908-04-02

Aater channel toward the land and the
| hip 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
1t like the faint beat Of pulse. In
her new position the ship presented
less of solid wall to the onslaught Of
! the sea. The tumultuous waves began
to race past without breaking so fierce
~. Had she started her plates? We're
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.
Courtenay recognized him as leading
stoker who had temporary charge of
the donkey boiler and seized him
wrathfully, his eyes abIaze.
$50 back!' he roared
"Senorl The ship is 1ost!"
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 obey.
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, terri
flying figure, and thrust revolver in
their faces.
Back" he shouted, cor some of you
will die here!"
Even in their frenzy they believed
him. The foremost SUNK away and
fought in 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. Tollemache. a
revolver in each hand, set his back
against the corner of the salon al
the foot of the stairs.
"I'm with you, captain!' he yelled.
Courtenay saw that he had conquer
ed them for the instant He raised his
( hand
Behave like menv' he cried. "You
can do no good by crowding the deck.
/ am going to the bridge to see If it is
possible to lower the boats. Each
boats crew will be mustered in turn,
passengers and men alike. If you are
towards now you will throw away
what chance there is of saving your
lives"
A revolver barked twice somewhere
on deck. A bullet smashed one Of the
windows of the music room and lodged
in a panel behind Courtenay. They
all heard the reports, but the captain
promptly turned the incident to adj
vantage.
"You see we mean to maintain or
der" he said. sMr. Malcolm, take
care that every one has life belt"
A sort of cheer came from the men
Who could fail to believe in leader
so cool and resourceful? He ran Out
into the darkness to discover the cause
of the shooting. 4 number of sailors
and firemen were striving to launch 9
boat. There was struggle going on
He could not distinguish friend from
foe In the melee, but he threw him
} self into it fearlessly.
"You foolsl'' he shouted. you may
die soon enough without killing eacI
other. Make way therei All, would
your" He caught the CLEAN of an up
lifted knife and struck savagely at tht
face of the man who would have used
it. The butt of the revolver caught the
sailor on the temple. He went dowr
like a stone. Courtenay stumbled ovel
another PROSTATE body. 1t was Mr.
Boyle striving to rise. Their eyes me-
In the gloom. Courtenay stopped ant
swung the other clear of the fight, fol
the second and third officers were
using their fists. and Walker even II
the hurry of his ascent from the stoke
hold had not let go Of spanner. The
yells and curses, the tramplings Of
dim forms swaying in the fight. tht
roaring Of the gale and the incessan
crash of heavy spray made up ghast
~ pandemonfum. 1t was an orgy oil
terror of Wild abandon, of hopeless:
striving on the edge of the pit, stupit
madness at the best, as the ships life
boats on the port side were on the spar
deck. In their panic the men were en-
deavoring to lower dingey. Yet Cour
tenay saw that discipline was regain
ing its influence. He thought to in
spire confidence and stop useless say
agery by sharp command.
"All hands follow me to starboardw
The struggle ceased instantly. Tit
captains order seemed to imply some
new scheme. Men who moment agt
would have killed any one who sough
to restrain them from clearing thu
boats falls now raced pellmell aftel
their officers. No heed was paid tt
those who lay on the deck wounded o.
insensible. Herein alone did these Chill
can sailors differ from wolves, ant
| wolves have the excuse of fierce hun